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    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design
    In-person Program

    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design

    by Northwestern College Prep

    Build an autonomous robot while connecting mechanical design, electronics, and programming. Practice prototyping, testing, and debugging through a hands-on engineering project.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Rising sophomores-seniors; GPA 3.0+

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-18

    Location / Region

    Evanston, Illinois, United States

    Cost

    $3,625; $5,235

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    EngineeringComputer ScienceDesign
    Accommodation: Shared university double rooms
    Meals: Residential: three meals per day
    Certificate / Outcome: Northwestern transcript and certificate
    Campus experience: Center for Robotics and Biosystems tour
    Tutors / faculty: Nicholas Marchuk, senior lecturer
    Sessions / cadence: 10 × 3-hour classes, Monday-Friday

    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design summary

    Northwestern's robotics seminar connects mechanical design, electronics, and code through one autonomous mobile robot project.

    You design parts, fabricate components, build circuits, program controls, and improve the robot through testing before a classroom contest.

    It suits students who want to discover whether they enjoy the practical problem solving behind robotics.

    What is Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design?

    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design is a Northwestern University IN FOCUS seminar centered on building an autonomous mobile robot. It brings electronics, mechanics, programming, control systems, prototyping, and debugging together in a practical engineering task.

    Students combine brief lectures, readings, tutorials, and discussions with hands-on lab sessions. They create CAD parts and electrical subsystems, write microcontroller code, and repeatedly test their designs before a bracket-style classroom robot contest.

    Why Succeed highlights Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design

    • One robot project makes the connections between mechanical design, electronics, and programming visible.

    • Students practice fabrication and circuit building alongside software, giving the experience more breadth than coding alone.

    • Testing and iteration introduce the reality of engineering when a first design needs improvement.

    • Nicholas Marchuk brings direct teaching experience from Northwestern's Mechatronics Design Lab.

    • Successful completion produces a university transcript and certificate alongside the practical project.

    Who is Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design for?

    Best for

    Students who enjoy making physical systems work and want to connect design, circuits, and code in a single project.

    Not ideal if

    You want a purely theoretical course or dislike repeated troubleshooting; testing and debugging are central to the experience.

    Is Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design worth it?

    This seminar is a strong fit if you want to test your interest in robotics through practical work. Building a complete system can reveal whether you enjoy mechanical design, electronics, programming, or the process of bringing them together.

    Its value depends on how actively you engage with failures and revisions, rather than simply finishing a robot. Treat it as an introduction to engineering practice and a chance to reflect on your interests; participation alone does not guarantee admission to Northwestern.

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    20 minutes · No obligation to enrol

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,625; $5,235; includes Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series interactive workshops., Official Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion., Residential option: university housing and three meals per day., Most program activities are free; some require payment., Free Writing Place tutoring while enrolled..

    Accommodation

    Shared university double rooms

    Meals

    Residential: three meals per day

    Provider details

    Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    2 weeks; Evanston, Illinois, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design need?

    Effort level

    High, with sustained practical concentration.

    Best started

    Begin application preparation six to eight weeks before a future published deadline, allowing time for transcripts and any English testing.

    Main challenge

    Finding whether a robot's problem comes from its mechanics, electronics, or code.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft your personal statement around a rewarding academic project and your goals for studying robotics.

    • Gather English-language transcripts and organize extracurricular activities with dates and roles.

    • Practice basic programming if possible; previous experience is helpful but not a course prerequisite.

    • Read the syllabus when it appears in Canvas and protect the full class schedule from other commitments.

    Useful if

    You want to explore engineering through a complete working system.

    What do students do on Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design?

    You build an autonomous mobile robot to complete a task while another robot attempts the same challenge. Each design stage connects physical fabrication, electronics, and software, followed by testing and revision.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Understand the robot's task and design its parts in CAD.

    2. 2

      Rapid-prototype components using 3D printing and laser cutting.

    3. 3

      Breadboard, solder, and test electrical subsystems.

    4. 4

      Integrate sensors and actuators with a microcontroller.

    5. 5

      Write C and Python algorithms to control the robot.

    6. 6

      Test, debug, and iterate the complete design.

    7. 7

      Run the robot in a bracket-style classroom contest.

    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    1 April 2026

    Summer 2026 College Prep application deadline.

    Reference date

    Programme dates

    5-17 July 2026

    Reference date

    Check-in and orientation

    5 July 2026

    Residential check-in 3:30 p.m.; commuter check-in 5:00-6:00 p.m.; orientation 6:00-7:00 p.m.

    Reference date

    Residential move-out

    17 July 2026

    Depart by 7:00 p.m.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior.

    • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

    • Domestic and international applicants accepted.

    • No course prerequisites; programming experience is helpful.

    • English proficiency testing required when primary language or schooling isn't English.

    • Commuters must live with a responsible adult over 18.

    How much does Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design cost?

    Commuter program fee

    $3,625 — Includes $2,730 tuition and $895 program fee.

    Funding or discounts

    • Residential program fee: $5,235 — Includes tuition, program fee, and $1,610 room and board.
    • Application fee: $60 — Nonrefundable; fee waiver requests are possible.
    • Program deposit: $1,000 — Nonrefundable; applied toward the total program cost.
    • Tuition scholarship: For domestic rising seniors demonstrating financial need and strong achievement.

    What's included

    Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series interactive workshops., Official Northwestern transcript and certificate upon successful completion., Residential option: university housing and three meals per day., Most program activities are free; some require payment., Free Writing Place tutoring while enrolled.

    How to apply to Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design

    1. 1

      Use Northwestern's on-campus College Prep admissions process and select this IN FOCUS seminar.

    2. 2

      Write approximately 500 words answering the academic-experience and program-interest questions.

    3. 3

      List extracurricular activities with involvement dates, descriptions, and your role.

    4. 4

      Submit English-language transcripts and any required TOEFL, IELTS, or DET results.

    5. 5

      Pay the application fee or complete an applicable waiver request.

    6. 6

      After acceptance, activate your NetID and set up guest access and Northwestern email.

    7. 7

      Pay the program deposit and complete the SchoolDoc registration forms.

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    What does Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    CAD and rapid prototyping

    Design robot parts and produce components using 3D printing and laser cutting.

    Electronics and circuits

    Breadboard, solder, and test circuits that connect sensors and actuators.

    Microcontroller programming

    Use C and Python to read sensors and control robot behavior.

    Iteration and version control

    Practice testing, debugging, engineering documentation, and Git version control.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design?

    A typical day during the program.

    Seminar and labs

    Classes meet 2:00-5:00 p.m. Central Time, totaling 15 hours per week.

    College preparation workshops

    Wildcat Connect: Get Ready Series workshops add a co-curricular component.

    Who teaches on Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design?

    Nicholas Marchuk is a senior lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University who runs the Mechatronics Design Lab. He teaches electronics, programming, mechatronics, and design, and co-created the nScope portable electronics lab tool.

    Where do students stay on Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design?

    Residential plan

    • University residence hall: Students share air-conditioned double rooms with a participant of the same gender identity.
    • Dining hall meal plan: Three meals per day include vegetarian and vegan choices, with special dietary support.
    • Residential staff and curfew: Staff live on site; check-in is 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
    • Common areas and resources: Students have lounges, quiet study rooms, wireless internet, and access to university libraries.

    Non-residential plan

    • Commuter living arrangements: Students commute from home or nearby accommodation with a responsible adult over 18.
    • Activities and meal access: Commuters join program activities and can purchase meals at Norris University Center.

    Roommates are assigned, and students cannot choose their roommate.

    What happens after Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Complete an autonomous mobile robot project.

    Develop practical CAD, electronics, and programming capabilities.

    Build experience with iterative engineering design and documentation.

    Earn a Northwestern transcript and certificate through successful completion.

    Use Get Ready Series workshops to prepare for college.

    College Prep participation does not guarantee undergraduate admission to Northwestern.

    Where does Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design take place?

    The program takes place on Northwestern's lakefront campus in Evanston, north of Chicago, with a course tour of the Center for Robotics and Biosystems. CTA buses and trains connect Evanston and Chicago, while Metra serves surrounding suburbs.

    Families arrange airport transportation; College Prep does not provide airport transfers.

    Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design FAQs

    There are no course prerequisites. Previous programming experience is helpful, but students must still meet the College Prep admission requirements.

    You will build an autonomous mobile robot, combining CAD-designed parts, electrical subsystems, sensors, actuators, and microcontroller code. The project culminates in a bracket-style classroom robot contest.

    The seminar covers C and Python microcontroller programming, CAD, rapid prototyping, electronics, and Git version control. Fabrication includes 3D-printed and laser-cut components.

    Nicholas Marchuk is a senior lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University. He runs the Mechatronics Design Lab and co-created the nScope portable electronics lab tool.

    Successful completion earns an official Northwestern University transcript and certificate. A Satisfactory grade requires attendance, participation, and completion of all assignments.

    Yes. Residential and commuter options are offered for IN FOCUS seminars. Commuters must stay with a responsible adult over 18 and can participate in program activities.

    Students share air-conditioned double rooms with another College Prep participant of the same gender identity. The residential meal plan provides three meals per day, with vegetarian and vegan choices and support for special dietary needs.

    No. College Prep participation can be one part of an application profile, but it does not guarantee undergraduate admission to Northwestern University.

    Alternatives to Build a Robot! Mechatronics and Electromechanical Design

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Campus Life, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • Northwestern Pre-College Online Program
    • FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
    • 2026 Application Fee Waiver Form
    • College Preparation Program Student Handbook — Summer 2026
    • IN FOCUS Seminar Series | Northwestern SPS: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Session schedule checked

    • Admission requirements reviewed

    • Residential and commuter totals checked

    • Scholarship criteria reviewed

    • Housing and meals reviewed

    • Completion requirements checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.