12 Programs for Middle School Students in Minnesota
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
If you’re in middle school and want to try something new outside your regular classes, joining a program can be a great way to explore your interests. These programs can introduce you to subjects such as science, technology, business, and environmental studies while helping you build skills in problem-solving and teamwork. You also get the chance to learn in a different setting and connect with other students who share your interests.
Why should I attend a program in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers programs through universities, science centers, research sites, and academic organizations, many of which are also available in virtual formats. You might take part in environmental fieldwork, explore coding or AI concepts, study business ideas, or learn about topics like civics and urban development while working with instructors and peers. These programs provide a structured way to build new skills, explore your interests, and stay engaged throughout the year.
To help with your search, here are 12 programs for middle school students in Minnesota.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota, and Virtually
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; many opportunities are free or low-cost, and financial aid/scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by program and cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Minnesota Academy of Science (MAS) offers a wide range of STEM learning opportunities for K–12 learners across Minnesota, with options available both in-person and online. MAS organizes competitive programs, research and internship pipelines, targeted camps and week-long experiences, and ongoing support such as tutoring, mentorship, and educator resources. The MAS site also features news, events, volunteer and donation opportunities, and a regularly updated list of free and low-cost STEM opportunities across Minnesota.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple rolling cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students from grades 6 to 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is a selective research-based enrichment experience for middle school students interested in exploring academic topics through one-on-one mentorship. You're matched with scholars from leading universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE, allowing you to take a deep dive into subjects you are curious about while building an independent project. The program places a strong emphasis on guided exploration, critical thinking, and creativity, providing a structured yet flexible environment for young learners to investigate topics that interest them. JEP provides an approachable pathway for you to experience the challenges and excitement of individualized research.
Location: Saint Thomas Academy, Mendota Heights, MN — Session A; Benilde–St. Margaret’s, St. Louis Park, MN — Session B
Cost/Stipend: Full Day: $875 per session; Half Day: $475 per session; Extended Care: $80; financial aid available; $100 discount for attending both sessions; $50 sibling discount
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session A: June 15–26; Session B: July 13–24
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 - 8
MITY’s ExplorSchool is a summer academic enrichment program for intellectually curious middle-school learners who are eager to dive into challenging, thought-provoking subjects. You’ll enroll in two courses, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, from over 40 options taught by expert, creative educators. Social connection is integral to the program, with daily Rec Time, optional extended care, and a welcoming community of peers who share a love of learning.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Middle school in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program introduces middle school students to foundational concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through hands-on, interactive lessons. You’ll learn Python basics and explore core AI topics such as data analysis, regression, neural networks, image classification, and AI ethics. You’ll also work on a practical project, such as building a classification model or designing an algorithm to help users make decisions. The program also serves as a foundation for more advanced Veritas AI coursework as you progress into high school.
Location: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, East Bethel, MN
Cost/Stipend: Full-day field trips $330; Half-day program $210; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: April - November; Exact dates TBA
Application Deadline: Rolling; scheduled upon request
Eligibility: Middle school groups from grades 6 to 8
The Ecosystem Comparison program introduces you to three major ecosystems: prairie, forest, and wetland, through outdoor fieldwork. You’ll hike to Cedar Bog Lake, observe biome transition zones, and explore Cedar Creek’s renowned Big Biodiversity experiment. Working in small groups, you’ll develop your own hypothesis-driven questions and collect data on abiotic and biotic factors across multiple sites.
6. Bog Biology
Location: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, East Bethel, MN
Cost/Stipend: Full-day field trips $330; Half-day program $210; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: April - November; Exact dates TBA
Application Deadline: Rolling; scheduled upon request
Eligibility: Middle school groups from grades 6 to 8
Bog Biology introduces you to the unique ecology of peat bogs, swamps, and marshes. You’ll hike to Beckman Bog, where you observe tamaracks, black spruce, and carnivorous plants from the boardwalk. You’ll document plant adaptations and learn about long-term phenology studies conducted at Cedar Creek. Indoors, the focus shifts to aquatic ecology as you analyze macroinvertebrates from different water sources to compare and assess water quality.
Location: Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, East Bethel, MN
Cost/Stipend: Full-day field trips $330; Half-day program $210; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: April - November; Exact dates TBA
Application Deadline: Rolling; scheduled upon request
Eligibility: Middle school groups from grades 6-8
Entomology 101 invites you to explore insect diversity, morphology, and habitat specialization. The day features a nature walk focused on observing insects in their environments, access to Cedar Creek’s globally recognized insect collection, and guided discussions about how an arthropod’s structure relates to its function. You also participate in a hands-on field investigation where you collect and examine live insects using real entomological tools.
Location: Online and multiple U.S. campus sites
Cost: Varies by program and course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round online courses; on-campus programs run June–August
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–12 who meet CTY qualification requirements
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers advanced academic programs for high-ability students who want to dive deeper beyond what typical school curricula provide. Through both online and on-campus options, you’ll explore subjects ranging from STEM and the humanities to specialized topics such as space colonization, crime scene investigation, and web design. CTY’s Online Courses let students from around the world study year-round at their own pace, with individualized instructor feedback and a supportive virtual community.
Location: Online (virtual via Zoom and Canvas)
Cost: $1,895
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: February 1 – April 15
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Middle school students from grades 6–8
The Middle School After School Program (MSAS) at UC Berkeley’s Business Academy for Youth is a virtual enrichment experience that introduces 6th–8th graders to core ideas in business and entrepreneurship. The program focuses on a central theme each year, with the 2026 session highlighting Artificial Intelligence and its growing influence on modern industries. You’ll participate in interactive activities, collaborative projects, and guided exercises using the Business Model Canvas to turn creative ideas into actionable solutions.
Location: Online via edX
Cost: Free; Certificate $149
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-placed; 7 weeks long
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle school students; Introductory level course
This online course, developed by the Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences, offers a foundational introduction to American constitutional democracy and the civic responsibilities of individuals within it. You’ll explore the origins, evolution, and mechanisms of U.S. democracy, including how rights are protected and how citizens can influence change. Through historical analysis, contemporary examples, and guided reflection, you’ll connect your own interests to broader communities and public conversations.
Location: Online via edX
Cost: Free; Certificate $249
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-placed; 7 weeks long
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle school students
CitiesX is an online course offered through Harvard’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences that examines how cities have evolved and how they function across different parts of the world. You’ll study urban development from ancient centers such as Rome to major modern hubs including Shanghai, New York, and Mumbai. The course also looks at current urban challenges such as zoning, transportation, public health, cost of living, and gentrification, helping you understand the forces that shape city life today.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-placed
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle school students
This webinar from the Harvard Kennedy School, led by Professor Matthew Bunn, provides an accessible introduction to the growing nuclear risks faced by the world today. The session examines the geopolitical changes and technological developments that have increased the likelihood of nuclear weapons being used in conflict for the first time since 1945. Professor Bunn explains the current landscape of nuclear dangers across global regions and presents strategies and policy approaches that could help reduce these risks.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.