The Maryland Robotics Center (MRC) in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD) now offers high school students the opportunity to earn a "Student Preparation to Advance Robotics in College (SPARC)" Certificate through 3-week summer commuter programs in five emerging areas of robotics and automation.
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Each certificate program is a 3-week session, held daily from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and aligned with a specific education track. Students may enroll in one certificate program per session. Two session will be offered:
* Please note: This is a non-credit-bearing program designed to introduce high school students to various areas of robotics and automation. Participation in the MRC SPARC program does not guarantee admission to the University of Maryland.
Students do not need prior experience in robotics to participate in SPARC, but they should be academically strong, have an interest in robotics, and demonstrate the ability to take initiative.
The Summer 2026 program costs $5,000 per student for a single 3-week session. This fee includes all project materials and activities; however, because SPARC is a commuter program, neither lunch nor transportation to/from UMD are offered. Participants are required to be signed in and signed out of the program by an authorized adult each day of the program.
The Maryland Robotics Center is committed to making our SPARC programs accessible to all students, regardless of financial circumstances. A limited number of scholarships are available for admitted participants who demonstrate financial need. Please note that scholarship awards are subject to funding availability and are not guaranteed. Eligible applicants will be notified if selected for a scholarship and will be asked to submit the required documentation at that time.
Applications for Priority Placement are now available online and will remain open until December 15, 2025. Because space is limited, it is strongly encouraged that applicants apply early.
CLICK TO APPLYOnce you have registered and paid for SPARC, we will not be able to refund your payment if your student is no longer able to attend.
Email: robotics-sparc@umd.edu