9 After-School Biology Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 31
- 5 min read
After-school programs are a solid option for middle school students who want to learn about biology. These programs introduce you to high school and college-level academics and provide industry exposure. Blending classroom instruction with hands-on activities allows you to enhance your knowledge of biology and skills in the subject.
After-school biology programs are also an opportunity for you to interact with peers and form valuable connections. So, we have compiled a list of 9 after-school biology programs for you to choose from. These programs are rigorous, selective, and involve practical components.
9 After-School Biology Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks starting June 2 (Summer Cohort I) or July 14 (Summer Cohort II)
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
Middle school students interested in biology can opt for Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program, which is a virtual program. You will work 1-on-1 with a mentor for 8 weeks. These mentors are from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE. Through this program, you can explore your interest in biology and develop a project related to the subject. The Junior Explorer Program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. You can find the application here!
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost: $1,000 for Fall, Winter, and Spring courses, $4,500 for Summer; tuition assistance is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: After-school program runs for 8 weeks
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The American Museum of Natural History’s Science Alliance Middle School Program welcomes middle school students to explore science and meet scientists. In this program, you will learn about evolutionary biology, anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, and Earth science. For the after-school program, you can enroll in the track you are interested in. The Tiny Life program explores microbiology and teaches you about bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae. You will create microbial communities, sample and culture microbial strains, and use microscopes to examine and study microbes. You will develop scientific skills while making friends and discoveries.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
AI Trailblazers is a virtual program for middle school students. In 25 hours of programming, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. You will learn topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The program has a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio and is structured with lectures and group sessions. 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.
Location: Various locations
Cost: Varies by location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 8 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Students aged 5 – 12
Mad Science Worldwide’s after-school programs delve into STEM subjects. You will participate in practical activities, observe demonstrations, and take home science-themed toys. The topics covered by the program include engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology. The STEM Odyssey track provides an introduction to various questions in the life and physical sciences. The take-home kits help you solidify the concepts you encountered in class using fun toys.
5. Bionerds
Location: Various locations
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by program and location
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Middle school students
Bionerds offers several programs that teach middle school students about biology. With several classes to choose from, you can learn about the animal kingdom, engineering concepts related to biology, forensic science, medicine, and more. The classes typically involve hands-on activities, including experiments, dissections, gardening, observing organisms under a microscope, and so on. Students are taught about laboratory safety to ensure they are safe during these activities. You may also hear from guest speakers who talk about their experience with biology.
Location: Hybrid in Boston, MA
Cost: $225 per week; discounts are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: September – March or April – May
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Middle school students curious to learn about STEM subjects can participate in the Middle School STEM Academy. You will participate in experiences that involve Zspace VA/VR simulations for scientific exploration, human models and lab experiments for biology, 3D printing for bioengineering and design, and programmable robotics. This program provides exposure to careers and higher education in medicine, life sciences, biotechnology, and engineering. Each week during the school year explores a different theme. You will also discover the interplay of various science streams, especially engineering and biology.
Location: Online
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October – December
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
UT Dallas’s biology camps are held on the weekend during the school year. As a result, the program will not interfere with your school schedule. This virtual camp allows you to learn about biology through a rigorous curriculum. You will also enhance your knowledge through hands-on activities. Solving test questions will prepare you for advanced academics and standardized tests in the subject.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $420; discounts and scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
The DNA Learning Center’s camps are self-paced using pre-recorded materials. You can explore the subjects you are interested in at your own pace. You will also receive a kit containing lab materials, camp workbooks, and protocols for the program. The camp teaches you about DNA, enzymes, forensic science, DNA barcoding, and genome science. The course you participate in depends on the grade you are in. You can also connect with educators to ask questions, troubleshoot labs, and share results.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $200Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October 19 – May 3
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 who are residents of New York City, have a B average in Math, Science, and English, and meet the state-determined income criteria
STEP is an academic enrichment program where you learn about science and mathematics. In the program, you will learn through subject instruction, practical training, and research training. Morning classes cover math topics such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, and Calculus BC. You will also attend a mandatory English seminar. Students interested in biology can opt for the elective related to clinical medicine in the afternoon class. The program also provides guidance for college admissions, test preparation, and career awareness.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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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