15 Robotics Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 12 min read
Attending a robotics camp can be a strong way for you to explore mechanical design, electronics, programming, and engineering teamwork in a short, focused setting. Compared to longer academic programs, camps place more emphasis on building, testing, coding, and troubleshooting real robotic systems, often inside college labs or professional makerspaces. Along the way, you'll also get the chance to connect with instructors, mentors, and peers who share a similar interest in robotics.
Why should you attend a robotics camp?
A robotics camp can give you access to engineering tools and lab environments that go beyond what a typical classroom offers. Depending on the camp you choose, you could work on autonomous systems, competitive robotics, or AI-driven automation projects over the course of a few days or weeks. Whether you're just starting out or already have some technical background, you can find a camp suited to your experience level and interests.
To help you shortlist the right options, we have narrowed down 15 robotics camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
These camps span autonomous systems, swarm robotics, AI-enabled robotics, aerospace applications, and microcontroller engineering, so students with a wide range of technical interests can find a relevant robotics camp.
Several camps are free or low-cost, including University of Notre Dame's Robotics Summer Camp (free) and UC Riverside's AI-Enabled Robotics Summer Camp ($150), while others, such as UT Austin Academy for Robotics and Rice ELITE Tech Camp, carry costs above $1,700 for residential formats.
Most camps require no prior robotics or programming experience, including Tiffin University, USF, ASU, and UT Austin, making them accessible entry points for students who are new to the field.
Camp lengths range from single-day experiences (Tiffin University) to full week-long residential programs (Kettering University, Embry-Riddle, UT Austin, Rice ELITE), so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.
Location: University of Notre Dame campus, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application deadline: Not specified. Check the website for updates
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12
This robotics camp focuses on collaborative robotics systems, where you will work with both autonomous and remotely controlled robots to solve challenges. You will participate in hands-on activities involving robot construction, programming, and attachment integration for specific tasks. A key component of the camp curriculum is learning how multiple robots can operate as a coordinated system, with a focus on concepts such as swarm robotics and cooperative control. Throughout the week, you will engage in mini-challenges that require iterative design, strategic planning, and teamwork.
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, spring, and winter. Options range from 12 weeks to a year.
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled in high school who demonstrate strong academic performance
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas that high schoolers can explore. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a research project. At the end, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose from areas such as engineering, computer science, chemistry, data science, psychology, physics, international relations, economics, and more. You can learn more about the program application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Location: Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH
Cost: $95 non-refundable registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 40 students
Dates: July 15
Application deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12; no prior programming or robotics experience required
This one-day robotics camp conducted on the Tiffin University campus lets you work in teams to code, test, and compete with real robots. You will first receive a quick introduction to how robots move, how programming controls their behavior, and how engineers debug and improve performance. Then, you and your team members will complete hands-on challenges like navigation tasks, obstacle courses, and timed accuracy challenges that require teamwork and problem-solving. The camp uses Sphero BOLT robots and Dobot Magician robotic arms for hands-on activities, but also offers exposure to advanced robots like NAO (a humanoid robot) and Spot (a robot dog). The day ends with a friendly competition, a showcase of your work, and certificates to recognize what you've accomplished.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November). You can apply to the programs here.
Eligibility: High school students; AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previous AI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about data science and AI fundamentals and work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you get your work published in high school research journals. You can check out examples of a few past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
Location: University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL
Cost: $999.99; residential add-on available for $1,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/session
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified; registration opens February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12; no prior robotics experience required
At this USF camp, you will design, develop, and program an autonomous mobile robot using Raspberry Pi, 3D printing, and professional software in the College of Engineering's labs. You will start with the fundamentals of robotics theory, electrical circuits, and Python programming, then move on to designing robot components using 3D printing and assembling sensors and actuators. In the second half of the week, you will learn to program your robot to sense and respond to its environment, completing real-world challenges and competitions. The camp will also introduce you to industrial robotics through hands-on experience with professional ABB RobotStudio software and interaction with real industrial robots. You will leave with your completed robot, project files, and the skills to continue building and coding at home.
Location: Kettering University, Flint, MI
Cost: $700 (day camp) | $1,070 (residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – August 6 (multiple camps within this window)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12; some camps recommend or require prior programming knowledge.
Kettering University offers multiple summer robotics camps designed for middle and high school students. The camps’ focus areas range from introductory Python programming with drones and robotic arms to advanced autonomous programming, mechanical engineering challenges, and CAD design with 3D printing and fabrication equipment. You will spend the majority of your time at the university’s Robotics Center and engage in experiences sponsored by partners like VEX, GM, and Magna. You will work on real robotics projects using industry-standard tools and software, collaborate with other students, and learn from experienced instructors and mentors from Kettering University. You will test your projects during engineering challenges, designed to help you build creative thinking, troubleshooting, and teamwork skills. You can choose from day and residential options.
Location: Arizona State University campus, Tempe, AZ
Cost: $900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly shared
Dates: June 1 – 12 (for high schoolers); another camp available for middle schoolers
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
In ASU's advanced Robotics Camp for high schoolers, you will dive into hands-on robot construction and programming, working with tools and techniques used in real engineering. You will learn programming, focusing on visual programming, Python, robotics-specific coding, web programming, and mobile app development. Working within a team, you will design and build your own robot while learning the engineering concepts and technologies that drive the field. The program covers everything from basic robot mechanics to advanced computing topics, giving you a comprehensive view of modern robotics. You will participate in a robotics challenge where you will test your completed robot and demonstrate the skills you've developed at the end of camp.
Location: University of California, Riverside, CA
Cost: $150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: June 6
Eligibility: High school students
UC Riverside's week-long robotics camp introduces you to the fundamentals of robotic systems and the artificial intelligence tools that power them, along with the electronic design needed to build them. Through hands-on lab exercises, you will work on real engineering challenges, focusing on embedded system design, microcontroller programming, and autonomous robot-car navigation. You will learn how robots can detect and avoid obstacles, and explore how to control robots wirelessly using mobile phones. The curriculum is designed by university faculty and covers the in-demand areas of engineering to prepare you for college-level study and careers in robotics and AI.
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus, Daytona Beach, FL
Cost: $500 + $30 non-refundable registration fee; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18 students
Dates: July 6 – 9
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 15 – 18, in grades 10 – 12
This four-day STEM camp at Embry-Riddle combines robotics, space exploration, and hands-on coding through the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Space Challenge. You will apply what you learn in classroom discussions to real robotic challenges, working with your teammates to communicate, problem-solve, and build solutions. You will work in teams of peers on engineering and problem-solving challenges while taking on the roles of scientists and engineers, learning what real space professionals do. The camp lets you explore actual engineering facilities and learn through presentations led by faculty experts in astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, and space science. The camp is designed to give you a taste of university-level STEM study focused on space and robotics.
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus, Daytona Beach, FL
Cost: $1,030; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 19 – 24
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students, ages 15 – 18
This week-long residential camp offers you hands-on experience working with robotics and autonomous systems. You will work with Embry-Riddle professors and students from collegiate robotics competition teams to design, build, and test your own autonomous robots. The program covers concepts in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, mechatronics, and controls engineering, introducing you to the different disciplines involved in robotics. You will participate in hands-on activities and expert-led sessions throughout the week while living on campus.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $2,100; scholarships available on a limited basis
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 – 12 in the fall; no prior programming or robotics experience required
UT Austin's six-day Academy for Robotics immerses you in hands-on robot building and programming under the guidance of UT Computer Science faculty and current undergraduate mentors. You will stay on the UT Austin campus in student residence halls, eat all your meals in the dining hall, and experience college life firsthand. You will spend the week learning about mechanical design, programming in C++, and control systems, and working with tools used in robotics research. You will also work on robotics projects, test your designs in real challenges, and learn from industry representatives. Throughout the week, you will tour campus departments, attend guest lectures, and connect with current UT students. The program is designed to help you explore what studying robotics at the university level entails and gain insight into drafting a college application to UT Austin.
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus, Prescott, AZ
Cost: $1,700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: May 31 – June 5
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18
This six-day camp offers hands-on experience in working with Arduino microcontrollers for computer, electrical, and software engineering projects, preparing you for advanced robotics work. You will write code, wire circuits, and learn soldering and prototyping techniques using equipment and tools that Embry-Riddle engineers use. The camp also focuses on real-world engineering and tech applications like sensing temperature and pressure, controlling motors, and designing and fabricating your own printed circuit boards. You will work on projects that combine programming and hardware, testing your designs as you build them.
Location: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) campus, Ewing, NJCost: $625/camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week 1: July 6 – 10 | Week 2: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified. Check the website for updates
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8 – 12
The iSTEM Summer Academy at TCNJ allows you to spend one or two weeks diving into robotics, engineering, and product design. The Automation and Robotics track lets you program microcontroller devices focused on helping a robot carry out a series of tasks. At camp, you will learn how to design automated circuits, build prototypes with rapid prototyping technology, and work with MathWorks Simulink to manage your robot. You can also attend the MakerCraft camp to learn how to work with CAD software to design a wearable product and use tools such as MATLAB and Simulink to program the device. This track focuses on electronics, 3D printing, coding, and laser cutting.
Location: Texas A&M University campus, College Station, Texas
Cost: $1,699 (high school) | $1,499 (middle school)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Late May – late June (Multiple one-week sessions within this window)
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
Aggie STEM Camps offer a residential, hands-on learning experience where you can engage in engineering-focused projects and technical problem-solving. While not exclusively a robotics camp, the curriculum includes robotics-related components within broader engineering design challenges. You will work with tools such as MATLAB, AutoCAD, and Python while applying concepts from physics, computation, and data analysis. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, allowing you to explore how robotics intersects with fields such as environmental engineering and systems design. Guided by Texas A&M faculty and graduate mentors, you will collaborate on team-based projects that build both technical and communication skills.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $1,799 (day camp) | $3,899 (residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions (June – July)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Rice ELITE Tech Camp is a pre-college engineering program that includes robotics as a key component within a broader technology-focused curriculum. You can choose specialized tracks such as Robotic Engineering I and II, where you will work on building robotic systems, integrating sensors, and programming functionality using languages like Python and C++. The program emphasizes real-world engineering applications, combining robotics with areas like AI, IoT, and smart systems. You will also participate in projects that follow the engineering design process, allowing you to prototype, test, and refine your work. In addition to technical training, the camp offers leadership workshops and mentorship from Rice faculty and high-achieving engineering students. The residential format offers a firsthand look at a college-level environment, academics, and collaborative STEM learning.
Frequently asked questions
What robotics camps are available for high school students?
Options include university-hosted camps, such as Notre Dame, USF, ASU, UC Riverside, and UT Austin, aerospace-focused camps, such as Embry-Riddle's BRICKS and Robotics and Autonomous Systems Camp, and multi-track engineering camps, such as Kettering University, TCNJ iSTEM, Aggie STEM, and Rice ELITE Tech Camp, which combine robotics with broader engineering disciplines.
Are there free or low-cost robotics camps for high school students?
Yes, University of Notre Dame's Robotics Summer Camp is free, and UC Riverside's AI-Enabled Robotics Summer Camp costs $150. Tiffin University's one-day camp costs a $95 registration fee. Several other camps, such as Embry-Riddle's BRICKS and Aggie STEM, offer scholarships to offset costs.
Which robotics camps require prior programming or robotics experience?
Most camps on this list explicitly welcome beginners, including Tiffin University, USF, ASU, UC Riverside, and UT Austin, which all state that no prior experience is required. Kettering University is an exception, as some of its advanced tracks recommend or require prior programming knowledge.
Which robotics camps offer a residential college experience?
Kettering University, Embry-Riddle's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Camp, UT Austin Academy for Robotics, Aggie STEM Overnight Camps, and Rice ELITE Tech Camp all offer residential options where students live on campus, eat in dining halls, and experience college life alongside their technical coursework. USF also offers a residential add-on to its day camp.
When should I apply to robotics camps for high school students?
The earliest deadline is UC Riverside (June 6), followed by Tiffin University (July 1) and Aggie STEM (April 25). Several camps, such as Kettering University, Embry-Riddle's Robotics and Autonomous Systems Camp, UT Austin, and Rice ELITE Tech Camp, accept rolling applications, so students should register early to secure a spot, especially for residential sessions with limited capacity.
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.