Summer Program for Automation Robotics and Coding (SPARC)

Build your own robots this summer at NYU!

NYU Tandon's Summer Program for Automation Robotics and Coding (SPARC) is a two-week program that introduces rising 9th through 12th high school students to the basics of robotics, mechatronics and programming. Led by NYU Tandon faculty and graduate students, SPARC gives students hands-on experience building robots.

Through classes and workshops, you’ll learn about the electrical components and circuits, microcontrollers, and computer programming that goes into building robots. You’ll gain extensive hands-on experience using tools and software to build two fully functional robots. At the end of the program, you’ll put your robots to the test in a fun “mobile manipulator challenge.”

Daily classes and activities are designed to maximize hands-on learning and challenge students to apply design thinking to come up with creative engineering solutions.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants will be high school students currently enrolled in grades 9, 10, or 11 who have successfully complete Algebra 2 (or equivalent) and have had some computer programming experience (in any language). Competitive applicants will have a minimum 3.0 GPA or equivalent.

To apply, submit the online application, which includes the following components:

Questions related to your personal and academic information
High school transcript
Four Short Essay Responses
International students are required to submit proof of English language proficiency

Areas of Study

Electronics and Circuitry

Students will learn about the basic electronics and circuits needed to build a robot and practice building your own electrical circuit configurations.

Programming

Understand and start to master key programming constructs, like variables, conditionals, loops, and data representations behind building microcontrollers. Students will practice interfacing electrical and electronic components with their microcontroller and perform serial and parallel communication.

Assembling Robots

Using the skills and knowledge developed during the first week of the program, students will assemble their own robots, including a remote controlled “car robot” and “mobile manipulator” robot, which has a manipulator arm that operates under infrared control.

Student Life

Students attend classes Monday-Friday and have scheduled time each day to work independently and collaboratively on daily assignments and weekly projects designed to give them a solid foundation of the principles and tools used to build AR games and applications.

Outside of class, students can take advantage of on-campus activities and events organized for NYU’s summer high school students, where they can connect with students from around the world that share their academic interests and intellectual curiosity. Students can also take advantage of organized field trips to NYC attractions, like Broadway, Yankee Stadium, and museums.

SPARC is an in-person program that takes place at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering at our campus in downtown Brooklyn, New York. Students can elect to live on-campus in one of our residence halls along with other high school program students, or commute to classes and program activities.