Students build with and keep professional robotics hardware, including a SunFounder PiCar-X AI robot car and a CoDrone EDU, allowing for continued learning and project development after the program.
The Research Ignited AI Robotics & Autonomous Drone Lab is a live, online program for middle and high school students (grades 6-12) focused on hands-on robotics, AI, and drone technology. Students learn Python programming fundamentals to control real machines, assemble and drive a PiCar-X robot, and delve into machine learning concepts to enable robots to recognize and make decisions. The curriculum progresses to aerial intelligence, where participants program responsive and autonomous flight behaviors for a CoDrone EDU. A key aspect of the program is building with professional robotics kits, which students purchase separately (approximately $400) and keep after the course. This allows for continued exploration and building beyond the camp duration. The program emphasizes writing real Python code, wiring actual sensors, and debugging hardware, mirroring the work of professional engineers. Students will build projects such as an autonomous obstacle avoider and a smart vision sorting bot using computer vision (OpenCV).
A typical day involves live, small-group sessions with expert instructors, focusing on guided, project-based learning where students write Python code, wire sensors, and debug hardware to build and program robots and drones.
This camp is ideal for middle and high school students (grades 6-12) who are curious about AI, robotics, and drones and want to gain hands-on experience with real hardware and Python programming, regardless of prior coding experience.
Virtual Camp
Philadelphia STEM Summer Camps is a free directory service that aggregates publicly available information about STEM programs, summer camps, and educational opportunities. We do not operate, sponsor, endorse, accredit, certify, or have any affiliation with the camps and programs listed here unless explicitly stated.
All program details — including pricing, session dates, instructor credentials, curriculum, safety policies, refund terms, transportation, meal arrangements, and admission requirements — are sourced from publicly available information and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Listings are partially generated and updated using automated AI-assisted research, which can occasionally produce inaccurate details. Parents and guardians are solely responsible for independently verifying every detail directly with the camp before enrolling, paying, or relying on any information shown here.
We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the accuracy, completeness, suitability, safety, quality, availability, or fitness for any particular purpose of any camp, program, or information shown on this site. To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind — including but not limited to financial loss, missed sessions, refund disputes, injury, child safety incidents, transportation issues, dissatisfaction with educational outcomes, or any other harm — arising from your use of this directory or your decision to enroll a child in any listed program. Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of these terms.
If you are a camp operator and notice any inaccurate information about your program, please contact us and we will review and update it. By submitting an inquiry via this site, you consent to the camp contacting you with information about their program.
