Autonomous Robotics Summer Academy

Designed for rising 10th–12th graders, this one-week, hands-on program – offered by Clark University’s Department of Computer Science – introduces students to the fundamentals of modern autonomous robots.

Participants build and program their own Arduino powered mobile robot while exploring sensing, decision making, and control through guided labs and team challenges. Along the way, students practice real engineering methods, strengthen problem solving skills, and experience the excitement of designing systems that think and act independently.

No prior robotics experience needed! For the best experience, participants should have completed Algebra and be comfortable with basic Geometry. A little exposure to Physics ideas, like motion, force, and energy, and the scientific method is helpful—but most important is curiosity and a love of STEM.

Program Highlights

• Build and program your own autonomous robot using Arduino, sensors, and embedded code.
• Learn how robots sense, think, and act through hands‑on labs covering decision‑making, control, and real‑world autonomy.
• Participate in team engineering challenges that build collaboration, problem‑solving, and creativity.
• Develop core computer science and engineering skills with no prior robotics or significant coding experience required.
• Experience college‑level STEM learning with faculty from Clark University’s Department of Computer Science.