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 topics of robotics and automation.
Each certificate program consists of a 3-week session, held Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, and focuses on a specific educational topic. Students may enroll in one certificate program per session. Two or more sessions may be offered each summer, depending on enrollment and program availability.
* Please note: This is a non-credit-bearing program designed to introduce high school students to various topics 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 this summer are now closed. Please check back for updates on next summer's program and application timeline.
Once 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