Robotics experience in Summer for high school students in Sacramento area

I got an email from a local person wondering if I have any recommendation for her child in high school as a meaningful experience over the Summer in the field of robotics. I'm delighted to share my thoughts, but because I haven't seen these motivated persons in person (yet), I can only give some rather generic advice but localized enough to Sacramento area.

Since I'm in software-intensive side of robotics, my suggestion might be more oriented in software. Also, I can only think of somewhere students can get a mentor-ship from superior (otherwise you could start your own projects).

• Ask local companies: In Davis, CA I'm aware of 2 companies both of which are making mission critical systems within larger business entities. DMG Mori, world largest machine tool manufacturer, has both manufacturing as well as R&D facilities in Davis. Technip FMC (formerly known as Schilling Robotics) is making their subsea vehicle in their Davis factory. I know both companies have been active proponents to students activity incl. FIRST robotics competition, so I think it's definitely worth trying to make a contact.
• Ask research labs at UC Davis: I've never visited any labs at UCD but you can search labs and contact researchers there.
• Ask remote companies: This may be more challenging, but definitely worthwhile to at least look for opportunities, especially some companies in the bayarea are open to hiring even high school students as an intern depending on the skills and/or motivation. I can only assume most of the companies ask you to come to their office for the work for various reason, and that's also how you can get mentor-ship in the most efficient manner. In the bayarea there are more companies than I can enlist that I would try making a contact, but to name a few: Fetch Robotics, Savioke, Mayfield Robotics, Anki.
• Participate in opensource software projects: As the importance of software only grows every second in robotics, one way to get a touch of it is to participate software developers community online, for free and from your room. In fact this is how I got in to robotics and eventually lead to getting an internship that lead to full-time job later.

This is way too brief introduction but still hope is helpful than nothing.