15 Robotics Summer Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 10 min read
As a high school student, summer programs can be a solid option if you want to dive into your interests beyond the classroom. These programs typically combine instruction with practical exercises, helping you apply what you learn over the summer to challenges, projects, and presentations. As a participant, you will learn from professionals, professors, or experts, while also connecting with peers and building technical and soft skills.
What are the benefits of a robotics program?
If you are a middle school student interested in robotics, summer programs in the field give you the chance to build, code, and experiment while learning how engineers solve problems. These programs allow you to work with tools like robotics kits, sensors, and programming languages, and gain firsthand experience in turning ideas into working machines. These experiences help you build technical skills early, gain confidence in STEM, and figure out whether engineering, tech, and computer science are fields you want to pursue later on.
To help you find the right option, here are 15 robotics summer programs for middle school students.
If you are looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
15 Robotics Summer Programs for Middle School Students
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 7; free spring and fall programs also available
Application deadline: May 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
CCNY STEM Institute runs a free summer program offering middle and high school students a structured introduction to STEM fields, arts, and business concepts. The program runs various tracks, including courses in robotics, game programming, physics, math, entrepreneurship, and rocketry. In the robotics-focused track, you will explore the basics of robotics, coding, electronics, sensors, and actuators to create automated systems. Additionally, you will work on research projects and engagement activities. The program also focuses on college and career skills development and test prep. At the end of the summer program, you will present your research project at a poster symposium.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year; you can apply here.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week virtual research-focused experience where you will work individually with a Ph.D. mentor. In the first part of the program, you will explore multiple subject areas to understand different academic approaches and research styles. Weekly meetings will help you build skills in formulating research questions, evaluating sources, and organizing findings. After choosing a focus area, which can be robotics, you will develop a structured research plan under the guidance of your mentor. You will finish by completing a research paper, case study, or presentation that reflects the full research process. analytical, and writing skills that support academic growth as you prepare for high school and future coursework.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Michigan Engineering Zone, Detroit, MI
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 23-27 (Ann Arbor) | August 4 – 8 (Detroit)
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current 6th – 8th-grade students who are Michigan residents
Tech for Good Camp is a one-week, hands-on STEM experience hosted by the Michigan Engineering Zone in partnership with the University of Michigan. The program introduces you to engineering and technology through project-based learning focused on real-world problem solving. You will explore the engineering design process by building robotic crafts, experimenting with new technologies, and collaborating on creative STEM projects. You will also interact with engineers, gaining insight into engineering careers and how technology can be used for social good. The camp offers opportunities to build teamwork, technical skills, and curiosity in a fun, collaborative environment.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can check details and apply to the program here.
Dates: 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays) during the summer
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
AI Trailblazers is a 25-hour program that introduces you to artificial intelligence through structured instruction and hands-on coding exercises. The curriculum first focused on Python programming fundamentals before moving on to concepts like data analysis, regression, classification, and neural networks. Instruction takes place in small groups, allowing you to receive personalized feedback and ask questions during live sessions. You will work with real datasets to understand how machine learning models are trained and evaluated. Topics covering ethical considerations on the use of AI are integrated throughout the curriculum. The program ends with a guided project that demonstrates your understanding of AI and data science concepts.
Location: Andries Hudde Magnet School of STEAM, Brooklyn/New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th-grade students who are NYC residents
This free NYU summer program introduces students to engineering, computer science, and technology through the lens of urban sustainability. You will learn about electronics and circuitry, coding, microcontroller programming, sensor integration, and environmental science, and then design solutions using these tools to address real-world city challenges. The curriculum emphasises hands-on, project-based learning that connects STEM concepts to the development of safer, more efficient, and more sustainable urban systems. Throughout the program, you will develop teamwork, problem-solving, and design-thinking skills while building functional prototypes. The experience culminates in a final project presentation where you showcase how your smart city designs address authentic urban issues.
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: $625/week (lunch included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: To be announced
Dates: Week 1: July 6 – 10 | Week 2: July 13 – 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12
The iSTEM Summer Academy at TCNJ allows you to spend one or two weeks diving into engineering, robotics, and product design through activities. At the iSTEM MakerCraft Summer Camp, you will learn to use CAD software to design a wearable product and tools such as MATLAB and Simulink to program it. This track focuses on coding, electronics, 3D printing, and laser cutting. The iSTEM Automation and Robotics Camp is designed to guide you as you program microcontroller devices that help a robot carry out various tasks. You will learn how to design automated circuits, create prototypes with rapid prototyping technology, and use MathWorks Simulink to control your robot.
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $999.99
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/session
Dates: June 15 – 19 or July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling until full; registration opens on February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8
The USF Middle School Robotics Camp is a week-long introduction to robotics hosted by the USF College of Engineering. At camp, you will build and program an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) using sensors, Arduino microcontrollers, and actuators. You will also gain experience in 3D printing while creating and assembling robot components. The program introduces you to industrial robotics through guided work with ABB ROBOTSTUDIO in USF’s engineering labs, offering exposure to real-world applications of robotics tech. Throughout the week, you will engage in programming challenges that test your robot’s ability to navigate and respond to its environment. At the end of the program, you will leave with your own robot, programming files, and robotics kit, getting the chance to continue exploring robotics.
Location: FAMU–FSU College of Engineering and partner sites, Tallahassee, FL
Cost: Tuition varies by camp and grade level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: Summer camps; dates vary, but camps typically run for a week
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades K-12; camps are split into grade bands such as 4 – 7, 5 – 8, 7 – 12, and 9 – 12.
Camp Challenger! is a series of weeklong, hands-on STEAM summer camps designed to introduce you to engineering, technology, and applied science in a fun and engaging environment. The camps emphasise hands-on, minds-on learning and are led by experienced educators, with thematic tracks that include LEGO robotics (beginner to advanced), technology challenges, rocketry and space science, coding, animation, movie magic, energy systems, and snap circuits. Summer offerings include multiple TallyRobotics sessions, as well as specialised programs such as the Be an Engineer camp hosted at the FAMU–FSU College of Engineering. You will have access to a safe, structured campus environment and work on exercises that help you build creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, and explore real-world engineering.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Two-week camp: $125; One-week camp: $75 | Scholarships available upon request
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two-week program: June 9 – 20; One-week program: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
The Summer Computing Academy is a summer residential program for students interested in coding, robotics, and image processing. It runs a one-week beginner track and a two-week session for those with some coding experience. At camp, you will attend lectures covering the basics of Python and programming and practice coding in a computer lab. You will also work on projects like powering small robots, building apps, and processing images. Career planning sessions are also part of the program. At the end of the program, you will present your projects to peers and faculty.
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $895 or $995, depending on the session you choose + $50 nonrefundable registration fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 10 | July 13 – 24
Application deadline: Two weeks before the session begins
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th-grade students
This UW course is a two-week opportunity to build computer science, programming, and problem-solving skills through hands-on challenges focused on the Sphero BOLT+ robot. You will apply programming basics using blocks and JavaScript to bring your robot to life, and use Sphero BOLT+ and the Sphero Blueprint Engineering Kit to tackle robotics challenges. The curriculum also covers cybersecurity, AI, and the ethical considerations of AI. The program focuses on the difference between traditional programming and machine learning (AI), allowing you to build computational thinking and critical thinking skills while you solve robotics challenges individually within a team of peers.
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $599; scholarship is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application deadline: Open till full; registration opens in February
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Rice University’s week-long CED is designed to help middle schoolers explore real-world STEM applications. Here, you will learn Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programming, explore rapid prototyping and 3D printing, and work with robotics and microelectronics to design and build functional projects you can take home. Through experiential learning in a collaborative lab environment, you will connect engineering theory to modern applications, develop foundational programming and design skills, and consider a career as a future scientist or engineer. The program emphasises creativity, problem-solving, and iterative design while exposing you to modern engineering tools and technologies.
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost: $900
Dates: June 16 – July 27
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 and 8
ASU offers two-week camps to middle and high school students interested in robotics and computer programming. Within the middle school track, called 7UP RobotCamp, you will explore the Alice programming environment, gaining exposure to 3D animation, movie development, and game development. You will design and construct robots, explore EV3 robotics programming, and participate in a robotics challenge structured to resemble the level of difficulty of the FIRST Lego League (FLL) Robotics Competition. You will present your robotic device at the end of the camp.
Location: State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota, FL
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Introduction to Robotics: June 9 – 14 | Fab to Finishing: June 16 – 21
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Middle school students
The SCF Coding Academy STEM Programs are designed for students interested in engineering, robotics, and programming. These programs offer a hands-on introduction to engineering and tech through short, skill-building summer sessions. In the Introduction to Robotics program, you will learn about the basics of robotics, hardware, sensors, and introductory programming concepts while engaging in exercises. The Fab to Finishing session focuses on the engineering design process, guiding you through idea generation to building and refining physical/digital projects. Each program focuses on problem-solving, creativity, and experimentation through instructor-led activities and challenges.
Location: Science Club for Girls, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Not specified; details released with application
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two weeks in the summer; dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA in the spring
Eligibility: Rising 6th-8th-grade girls and gender-expansive youth
The Summer Rocketry Club is a two-week, hands-on aerospace engineering program designed to inspire you to explore STEM through rocketry and space science. You learn while working on projects such as building and launching rockets, designing model space stations, and operating robotic rovers to simulate space exploration missions. You will learn core physics and engineering principles while strengthening teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The program offers exposure to STEM pathways through a career panel featuring diverse women working in aerospace engineering and related fields. The experience also includes a field trip to the Harvard Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, offering direct exposure to professional research environments.
Location: Online or at UCSD, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies, based on the course you choose; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: K–12 students; workshops are split grade-wise.
The Sally Ride Science Academy Summer STEAM Program runs science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics workshops. Operated by the Sally Ride Science Academy, the program immerses you in experiential learning as you take on roles such as engineers, space explorers, marine biologists, computer programmers, and researchers. A key feature of the program is its emphasis on showcasing real-life stories of women working in STEAM fields, helping you envision inclusive and accessible career pathways. You can choose robotics-focused courses to dive into the field and gain experience in programming and controlling robotic devices.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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