15 Academic Summer Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 22 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a middle school student looking to get a head start in your academics this summer, academic summer camps may be a good choice for you. These camps provide valuable life skills and knowledge about the field you are interested in. Through hands-on activities, lectures, guest speakers, and more, you will receive exposure to various industries and career pathways.
Some camps are offered free of cost, meaning finances are not a barrier to your participation. Academic camps tend to be selective and rigorous, so you can expect to gain in-depth knowledge in various fields. You also have the opportunity to complete group activities and projects while being mentored by professionals. These aspects help you to build a network.Â
We have narrowed down our list of academic summer camps for middle school students:
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program enables middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. In the program, you delve into your academic interests and complete a project you are passionate about. The program was founded by a Harvard and Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual, with need-based financial aid available. You can find the application in the brochure!Â
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â $2,400. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline:Â Varies according to cohort
Program Dates:Â 8 weeks starting June 2 (Summer Cohort I) or July 14 (Summer Cohort II)
Eligibility:Â Middle school students
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program where you learn the principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning in 25 hours of programming. You will be introduced to the basics of Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio facilitate your learning. In previous years, students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and created a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Application deadline:Â Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 6-8
Program dates:Â 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Fee:Â $1,990, financial aid is available
John Hopkins’s CTY program on anatomy and physiology delves into the human body and how it functions. It is prefaced by Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and the discoveries scientists continue to make even today. In the program, you survey the human body’s immune, integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, excretory, and reproductive systems by paying special attention to cells and tissues.Â
You will engage with these topics through readings, lectures, discussions, and labs. For this, you will model the interrelatedness of how three systems maintain homeostasis in the human body and select and report on a disease or dysfunction that can impact one human body system. You are also required to maintain a laboratory notebook on measurements and data. Towards the end of the program, you will dissect a fetal pig. Eventually, you will also understand the techniques used in health sciences.Â
Location:Â Collegeville, PA or Baltimore, MD
Cost:Â Collegeville: $7,259 (residential) or $6,459 (commuter) + $180
Baltimore: $7,501 (residential) or $6,701 (commuter) + $180. Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 18 – 20
Application Deadline:Â May 16
Program Dates: June 22 – July 11 or July 13 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 8 with CTY-level Math
The Manchester Tech Camp is for students to cultivate their interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, you will spend a week participating in the TechSplorers or Perceptive Plushies camp. In TechSplorers, you will engage in hands-on, collaborative activities, such as forensic science, circuit-building, the science of sound, kitchen science, and freshwater ecology. In Perceptive Plushies, you can explore robotics by animating stuffed animals to react to biosensors and using hobbyist computers to bring them to life. The camp aims to inculcate skills in creative thinking and problem-solving.
Location:Â Manchester, NH
Cost:Â Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â May 18
Program Dates: July 28 – August 1 or August 4 – 8
Eligibility:Â Students entering grades 5-12 who are currently attending school in Manchester
5. MIT DynaMIT
This week-long summer program allows middle school students to explore science and engineering. MIT undergraduate and graduate students act as mentors during the program. They help participants to complete activities and gain hands-on experience. You work on projects in various topics, such as physics, robotics, chemistry, and computer science. The program is student-run and involves conducting experiments, curriculum-based learning, and more. Thus, you build technical as well as theoretical knowledge.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free, None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline: February 10
Program Dates: Week 1 starting August 11 for rising 6th – 7th graders. Week 2 for rising 8th – 9th graders
Eligibility: Rising 6 – 9th grade students
The Appalachian STEM Academy is a residential program where middle school students delve into STEM subjects. You will work in small teams to use technology to solve a problem in Appalachian communities. Your project will be guided by experienced teachers. You also have the opportunity to go on tours and hear from guest speakers. The program ends with each group presenting their projects to an audience of ARC and ORAU dignitaries, parents, and friends. Emphasizing teamwork and an inquiry-based approach, the program allows you to work on a real-world problem and devise an impactful solution.Â
Location:Â Oak Ridge, TN
Cost:Â None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Approximately 26 students
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Program Dates: July 5 – 11 or July 12 – 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
This Jr. Youth Leadership Lab is a non-residential camp for middle school students hosted by the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources 4-H (Head, Hands, Heart, and Health). The camp delves into agriculture-related topics through practical activities. You will learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). You will also discover and develop the skills needed to be an effective leader in the workplace.Â
Location:Â Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Cost:Â Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â 30
Application Deadline:Â First-come first-served basis. Applications open on June 18
Program Dates: July 8 – 11
Eligibility: Rising 7th – 8th grade students
SEE’s Making & Engineering is a week-long summer experience for middle school students interested in math and science. In this program, you can explore engineering and design. Weekly educational presentations introduce you to key concepts in engineering and design principles. By the end of the week, you will have completed two projects. The first is a group-based, structured assignment. The second is an individual assignment for you to display your innovation and creative skills. The program aims to develop your skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and design concepts.
Location:Â Pittsburgh, PA
Cost:Â Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â April 10 (tentative)
Program Dates: July 7 – 11
Eligibility: Rising 8th – 9th grade students
iINVENT is a week-long camp held in several locations in Oregon. Designed for middle school students in rural Oregon, this camp invites students to apply STEM subjects to create a device. OSU students mentor you throughout the camp as you work on your invention. This mentorship component and interactions with other students allow you to build a network. United States Patent and Trademark Office activities will teach you about the process of inventing. Participating in this camp also provides access to engineering design challenges and college connection events.
Location:Â Various locations in Oregon
Cost:Â Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â To be announced
Program Dates:Â Varies by location but lasts one week in the summer
Eligibility: Students from rural Oregon entering grades 6 – 8
As the name suggests, this summer camp introduces middle school students to engineering concepts. The program covers general topics in electrical, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering and computer science. You participate in activities and complete projects designed by CIEE faculty, staff, and counselors. SMU Lyle Engineering students and DFW college Science & Engineering students will mentor you throughout the camp as you work on your projects. So, if you don’t have prior experience with engineering, designing, or integrated STEM programs, this summer camp may be a solid option.
Location:Â SMU Lyle School of Engineering, TX
Cost:Â $600
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â 20
Application Deadline:Â Not specified
Program Dates: Boys-only camp: July 7 – 11 | Girls-only camp: July 14 – 18 | Boys/Girls camp: July 21 – 25
Eligibility:Â Rising 7th and 8th grade students
iD Tech’s Intro to Coding & AI program is appropriate for beginner- and intermediate-level students interested in Python. With this program, you will delve into the fundamentals of coding with Python and learn to build console-based programs. You will apply machine learning concepts to build a game of rock, paper, scissors; explore AI technologies and integrate them with customized systems; and practice prompt engineering. By the end of the camp, you will develop skills in coding and computational thinking. You will be taught by an instructor in small groups. At the end of the camp, you will receive an official iD Tech diploma and course transcript.
Location:Â Various locations across the US
Cost:Â Starting at $1,199
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Varies
Application Deadline:Â Rolling basis
Program Dates:Â Varies by location but one week in the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13 – 17 years
UCSD’s Sally Ride Science Academy offers a range of summer workshops in STEAM subjects. Middle school students can participate in courses in fields like engineering, robotics, entrepreneurship, marine biology, geology and even creative areas like art, VR, and screenwriting. Some available programs are Meteorites, Crystals & Gems; CAD & 3D Printing; Beyond Stone Soup: Planetary Cuisine, Climate, and Cultivation; Raspberry Pi, and more. In these workshops, you assume the role of a professional in these fields through hands-on activities and projects. The workshops also discuss the stories of vibrant women conducting research in each field. Workshops are delivered by STEAM instructors who are also role models for students.
Location:Â San Diego, CA
Cost: $50 – $320, depending on the course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â June 6
Program Dates: July 7 – 25
Eligibility:Â Middle school students
NC State University offers summer camps to teach middle schoolers how engineers impact society. Students get practical exposure by completing creative investigations and design challenges in groups. In the past, these projects have involved designing earthquake-proof bridges, solar-powered boats, SNAP programming, nitrogen ice cream, and more. Two camps are available; one is in engineering, and the other is in computer science. The computer science component explores computational thinking and AI. Each morning, students receive a new engineering problem, which they solve in groups and present at the end of the day.
Location:Â Raleigh, NC
Cost:Â $500. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â March 28
Program Dates: July 7 – 11 or July 14 – 18Â
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th graders
The MehtA+ Machine Learning Bootcamp is a virtual camp for students interested in learning university-level computer science concepts and their application in medicine, digital humanities, economics, and linguistics. Starting with the basics, MIT and Stanford engineers teach the mathematics behind various AI, machine learning and deep learning models; data preprocessing techniques; and how to train your own complex AI models from scratch. You will complete mini assignments every day.
You will then work in small groups on midterm and final projects that involve conducting interdisciplinary machine learning research with a university or independently. The completed research papers are published online. You will present your research posters to university professors at the annual MehtA+ Machine Learning conference. At the end of the camp, you will receive a certificate.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â $1,990. Financial aid is available.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â June 11
Program Dates: June 23 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12
This intermediate-level marine science camp adopts a natural history perspective to oceanography. Students are introduced to marine science concepts and laboratory procedures. During the camp, you will set up your own saltwater tank and explore the marine environments available on Mt. Desert Island. You will take trips to the beach, tidal pools, salt marsh, and bog, and study the chemical, physical, and biological aspects of oceanography in groups. Other activities include water sampling, whale watching, and fishing boat trips. You also have the opportunity to explore island geology and visit a rehabilitation center.
Location:Â Seal Harbor, ME
Cost:Â $3,200 for a two-week session
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size:Â Not specified
Application Deadline:Â Rolling basis
Program Dates: June 22 – July 4 or August 3 – 15
Eligibility: Students aged 12 – 15 years
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. 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.
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