15 Fall Robotics Classes for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you are a middle school student interested in robotics, taking specialized classes during the fall is a great way to gain exposure to advanced STEM. Robotics classes allow you to move beyond classroom theory and engage with robotics, coding, and engineering challenges. Structured to fit alongside the school year, these classes provide structured learning and typically cost less than full-time summer programs.
Why should I take a fall robotics class in middle school?
These classes provide exposure to the applications of robotics through project-based learning and guided mentorship. Many robotics classes for middle schoolers are hosted by respected institutions or national organizations and are either highly selective or fully funded. Each program is designed to run during the fall or school year, making them valuable experiences if you want to deepen your robotics knowledge while balancing academic commitments.Â
To that end, we have curated a list of 15 fall robotics classes for middle school students!
Location:Â Online, accessible globally
Cost/Stipend:Â Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment
Dates: Available year-round, self-paced
Application Deadline:Â None
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 5–8)
Khan Academy provides foundational coursework in computing and coding that supports robotics learning. As a supplemental option alongside physical programs for students, it helps students build core programming and logical reasoning skills. Lessons are structured, self-paced, and reinforced through practice exercises. You’ll learn about circuits and their elements, electrostatics, and all about Fourier series. You’ll even design a home-made Spout Bot and learn to reverse engineer common household items.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts, including fall sessions, available each year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in middle school
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week opportunity for middle schoolers to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests. Here, you will dive into various fields and then build a project in your topic of interest. While it is not a traditional robotics class, students interested in robotics can explore the field through research-driven projects, problem-solving frameworks, and technology-focused applications under expert mentorship. The program offers access to mentors who are scholars from universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. During weeks 1–4, you will learn about distinct topics within your selected subject track. In weeks 5 and 6, you will zero in on one specific topic, and then spend weeks 7 and 8 building a project on the chosen topic under the guidance of your mentor. You can apply here.
Location: Online, accessible globally
Cost/Stipend:Â Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Open-access platform
Dates:Â Ongoing, self-paced throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â None (only required for special programs like Student Talks)
Eligibility: Middle school students (typically Grades 5–8) with educator or self-guided access
TED-Ed offers curated educational content that introduces students to robotics concepts through short, engaging lessons. Students explore robotics principles, ethics, and applications through videos and guided discussions. Content can be used independently or in classroom settings. TED-Ed builds curiosity and critical thinking rather than formal assessments. Access is completely open and self-paced.
Location: VirtualÂ
Application deadline:Â Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 6-8
Program dates:Â 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Fee:Â Costs vary according to program. Need-based financial aid is available
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. While it is not strictly a robotics class, the program helps students build coding and AI skills used in robotics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Multiple regional hubs & host campuses across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No formal rate; hubs vary in capacityDates: Kickoff in September and Regional Championship in December
Application Deadline: Registration varies according to the region
Eligibility: Middle & high school students (via school/organization)
BEST Robotics is a free, school-based robotics competition emphasizing design and real-world engineering constraints. Teams receive identical kits and must design solutions within strict rules and timelines. Students gain exposure to engineering documentation, marketing, and oral presentations alongside robot design. Regional championships bring teams together to present and compete. Participation is coordinated through schools or organizations.
Location: USA regional tournaments and international tournaments
Cost: Cost ranges from $275 - $850, check details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No formal acceptance rate
Dates: 29 November - 8 February
Application Deadline: Varies for challenge and kickoff
Eligibility: Ages 9–16; team + coach required
UNEARTHED is a global robotics challenge under the FIRST LEGO League umbrella that introduces you to engineering through teamwork and competition. Although not a traditional class, this competition allows middle school students to design, build, and program LEGO-based robots to solve season-specific challenges. Students collaborate closely with peers and coaches while also completing a research project tied to real-world issues. The program emphasizes innovation, problem-solving, and communication skills. Teams present their work at regional tournaments, gaining experience in both technical execution and public presentation.Â
Location: Evodyne Robotics Academy, Mountain View, CA
Cost: $359/month; $2,632 for 8 months
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: September 15 - May
Application Deadline: Register before 15 September, exact dates not available
Eligibility: Students ages 12+ (middle school and up)
The Evodyne Academy Elite Track is a structured, long-term robotics program designed for middle school students seeking hands-on engineering experience. Students work on advanced projects involving electronics, programming, and mechanical design. Students build real-world robotic systems while developing skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and applied STEM. You’ll learn the fundamentals of AI and computer vision, Arduino and Raspberry Pi, not to mention the use of sensors and motors- all important aspects of designing a robot! Instruction is delivered through guided lessons and project-based learning in addition to competitions. The extended duration allows students to progressively refine complex systems and technical thinking. This program is well-suited to students ready for sustained, high-commitment robotics learning.
Location: Various locations globally
Cost/Stipend: Registration fee covered by the Team Coach; scholarships also available; costing can be found here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: Vary by location
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Middle school students registered by a parent/legal guardian
The MATE ROV Competition challenges students to design and operate remotely operated vehicles inspired by real-world marine missions. You will focus on underwater robotics and engineering documentation and work in teams to build functional ROVs while learning about physics, electronics, and systems integration. The competition model mirrors professional engineering environments, including technical reports and mission trials. Events are hosted at regional and international levels, offering exposure to industry-aligned problem-solving.Â
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Costs around $290; varies depending on season Acceptance rate/cohort size: Teams of up to 6 members
Dates: Around August 29 - November 8, exact dates TBA
Application Deadline: Around May 23; exact date TBA
Eligibility: Middle school students (6th to 9th grade) with experience in cyber roboticsÂ
CoderZ League is a virtual robotics competition where students program simulated robots to complete engineering challenges. As a fully online option, it removes hardware barriers while still emphasizing logic, coding, and strategic thinking. Students compete in teams and progressively tackle more complex tasks throughout the season. The league structure allows participants to test solutions, iterate on designs, and benchmark performance globally. This program is particularly suited to students with prior exposure to coding or robotics concepts.Â
Location: Various centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary according to the center
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: Open year-round
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: Kids aged 8 - 14
Code Ninjas Create is a structured coding program during which students learn by building games and interactive projects. While not exclusively hardware-based, students learn by teaching logic and programming fundamentals. Although this is not strictly a robotics program, it teaches coding skills that are highly transferable to robotics and related technologies. Students progress through a belt-style curriculum at their own pace. Instruction takes place in small-group, mentor-led environments. The program is designed to build confidence through incremental challenges.Â
11. SnapologyÂ
Location: Various centers across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary according to the center
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available
Dates: Open year-round
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: Students aged 4–14, depending on the chosen course
Snapology offers several robotics classes and coding programs for students that use LEGO-based tools to teach robotics and engineering concepts. It blends play with structured learning, as students work on guided builds that introduce robotics, coding, and teamwork. Programs are available as classes, camps, or workshops. The focus is strongly on foundational skills rather than competition, though in some locations, Snapology also offers optional FIRST LEGO League preparation despite being a non-competitive program overall.Â
Location: In-person; hosted at schools, community centers, and regional hubs across the U.S., and globally
Cost/Stipend: Team registration typically $50–$300 (varies by region; equipment extra)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No formal acceptance rate; teams usually have 5–8 students
Dates: August – February (competition season runs from fall to spring)
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; team registration typically closes in early fall
Eligibility: Students Grades 3–8 (ages ~8–14)
VEX IQ is a competitive robotics program designed for elementary and middle school students. It is known for its structured season and scalable difficulty. Teams design and program robots to complete game-based challenges. Students develop engineering, coding, and collaboration skills through iterative design. Competitions are held at local, regional, and national levels. Participation requires team registration.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary according to the course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small batch of 3-5 students per class
Dates: Open year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling year-round
Eligibility: Students from grades 2-12, depending on the chosen course
Create & Learn offers live, small-group virtual classes in robotics, coding, and STEM topics. As a flexible option for students, it allows learners to engage from anywhere. Classes emphasize hands-on virtual projects, interactive instruction, and close mentor support. Students work in small cohorts, enabling personalized feedback. Courses range from introductory to advanced topics.
Location: Regional tournaments across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Full (New) Kit for New Teams: $2,750; Partial (Reuse) Kit for Returning Teams: $1,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not available; teams are of 10-15 students
Dates: Varies by region, workshops are generally from January to March; the tournaments are generally held in April or May
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: A team of middle/high school students (grades 6-12) with a team guideÂ
Botball is an educational robotics competition focused on autonomous robot programming, where students design, build, and code robots without remote control. You will apply your classroom learning in science, technology, engineering, math, and language arts to a hands-on, collaborative project. Following a professional development workshop led by expert roboticists, teams are given 7–9 weeks to design, build, and program two autonomous robots using the Botball kit, document their innovation through the online Team Home Base, collaborate with the global Botball community, and test and refine their robots for regional tournaments. The program emphasizes coding, algorithmic thinking, engineering design, documentation, and communication through technical papers and presentations, and requires a dedicated teacher or mentor to guide students throughout the process.
Location: Englewood Ave, Buffalo, NY (other regional locations as well)
Cost: $225 - $320/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; no formal information available
Dates: July - September
Application Deadline: Open registration, dates vary depending on chosen class
Eligibility: Students aged 5 - 12
Engineering For Kids offers hands-on robotics camps that introduce younger students to engineering fundamentals. As an entry-level program, it develops creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving among students. Students build simple robotic systems while learning basic coding and mechanical concepts. Instruction is guided and age-appropriate, making it accessible for beginners. Camps are typically short-term and skill-focused for a holistic environment. You’ll execute the Engineering Design Process through which you’ll design, build, and test your own robots, using LEGO® EV3, LEGO® Spike Prime, Vex IQ, and other educational kits that simulate programming languages. This is a solid option for middle school students looking to develop teamwork skills alongside building robotics and computer programming skills.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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