15 Chemistry Summer Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 31
- 8 min read
If chemistry is something you are interested in, joining a chemistry camp during middle school can help you get early hands-on experience. Without missing your regular school year, you can explore how chemistry works and build useful skills like lab safety, observation, and teamwork.
Most summer chemistry camps give you short, focused training. These camps usually last from one to three weeks. You take part in simple lab experiments, write down what you see, and learn how to use basic tools like beakers, thermometers, or droppers. Many are held at science museums, labs, or research centers, not big universities.
How are camps different from other programs in middle school?
Most year-long science programs for students are longer, more expensive, and cover many topics. They often involve exams or school credit. The chemistry camps in this list are different. They focus on one subject, are shorter, and stick to simple experiments and small group work. You do not just sit and listen to someone speak. You take part in the lab, follow safety steps, record results, and learn by doing.
These camps are easier to attend during school breaks. You can join one in the summer without falling behind in school. They are also more affordable and do not usually ask for long applications or grades. For most middle school students, they are a simple way to explore science in a fun and active way without extra pressure.
With that, here are 15 chemistry summer camps for middle school students!
15 Chemistry Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8)
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week online research experience for students in grades 6–8. You’ll work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university like Harvard, MIT, or Stanford. The first four weeks are all about exploring different themes within your chosen track. In the second half, you’ll pick one topic and build your independent project.
Tracks include AI & Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Chemistry, Astrophysics, Psychology, Economics, and more. You’ll learn how to read academic papers, ask strong questions, and design a research project from scratch. Past students have written papers, built case studies, and explored topics like cancer immunotherapy, CRISPR ethics, and Federal Reserve data.
Location: In-person at the MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: August 11 - August 15 (for rising Grade 6 & 7) | August 18 - August 22 (for rising Grade 8 & 9)
Application Deadline: The registration date has closed for this season. Here is an interest form for the next session.
Eligibility: Grade 6-9
The dynaMIT Summer Program is a free, week-long STEM program for middle school students in grades 6 to 9, hosted on MIT’s campus. You’ll work with MIT undergrads on hands-on chemistry experiments and group projects. Past topics have included polymers, forensic chemistry, and materials science. Each day blends short presentations with lab-style activities, giving you a chance to test ideas, ask questions, and build something with your team. At the end of the week, you’ll present your final project to students and instructors, learning how to explain your work clearly and confidently.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275
Dates: July 14 - 18
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Students in Grades 6–8
A Dose of Pharmacreations course at UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy is a week-long, hands-on course for middle school students. You’ll learn how chemistry connects to pharmacy and healthcare by working through real-world case scenarios. Activities include customizing medicines for superhero or alien patients, using EpiPen and inhaler trainers, and exploring how pharmacists solve problems to improve patient health. You’ll meet pharmacy students and professionals, learn how medications are developed and delivered, and build skills in communication, decision-making, and critical thinking.
Location: University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Cost: Not available
Dates: August 3 - August 16
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students in Grades 6 - 8
The Summer Discovery Natural Science Program is a hands-on science course for high school students that introduces you to chemistry, biology, and physics through lab work and real-world projects. You’ll explore how chemistry connects to materials science, environmental systems, and biological processes. Activities include guided experiments, collaborative lab work, and case studies that show how science applies to everyday challenges. The program is hosted at top universities like UCLA, the University of Michigan, and UC Berkeley. You’ll learn from university instructors, build teamwork and communication skills, and get a taste of college life through campus visits and social events.
Location: Multiple campus locations
Cost: $3,149-$7,501 plus $50 application fee
Dates: Varies by location, typically June - August
Application Deadline: Usually in May
Eligibility: Students in Grades 7 - 11
Johns Hopkins’s Chemistry in Society is a lab-based summer course for students in grades 7–11 that shows how chemistry solves real-world problems. You’ll test water samples for toxins, explore clean energy alternatives, and analyze the chemistry behind food, medicine, and pollution. You’ll even prepare biodiesel and aspirin in the lab, and take part in a mock town hall to debate environmental policies using your findings. The course covers atomic structure, bonding, and chemical reactions, and is designed for students who haven’t yet taken high school chemistry. You’ll build lab, communication, and critical thinking skills through hands-on experiments and small-group discussions.
Location: Multiple locations
Cost: Varies, non-refundable application fee of $55
Dates: Often from June - August, varies per session
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Grades 7 - 11
Fast-Paced High School Chemistry – CTY Summer Program is a three-week residential course for students in grades 7 to 11 who want to complete a full year of high school chemistry in a short time. You’ll cover atomic theory, chemical bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, acids and bases, equilibrium, and introductory organic chemistry. The course includes at least 20 hours of lab work, where you’ll run experiments like titrations, molar mass determination, reaction rate tests, and yield analysis. You’ll learn how to apply the scientific method, analyze chemical properties, and explain reaction outcomes using periodic trends and molecular structure.
Location: Gann Academy or Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Cost: $699
Dates: July 28 - August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grade 8
Polymer Chemistry – Boston Leadership Institute is a one-week summer program for students in grades 8–12 who want to explore chemistry through hands-on lab work and real-world applications. You’ll study polymers like nylon, plastics, slime, and even DNA, and learn how they’re used in medicine, biotechnology, and materials science. You’ll make your polymers, like polyurethane, gluep, and Oobleck, and study how light interacts with them, how they’re formed, and how they behave under different conditions. The course covers key topics like condensation and addition polymerization, vulcanization, thermosetting, and thermoplasticity.
Location: Gann Academy or Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Cost: $2,500 for tuition
Dates: June 30 - July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grade 8
Chemistry Research – Boston Leadership Institute is a three-week summer program for students who want to explore green chemistry through hands-on research and lab work. You’ll learn how to design sustainable chemical processes, run controlled experiments, and analyze your results. Past student projects have focused on biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly chemical production. You’ll also visit real-world labs like MIT’s D-Lab and Boston University’s BURECS Lab, where you’ll meet researchers working on climate and sustainability challenges.
Location: NCSSM Morganton Campus, Morganton, NC
Cost: $1,495
Dates: July 6 - July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 7th - 9th graders
Intro to Analytical Chemistry – NCSSM Summer Accelerator (1 Week)
Offered as part of the NCSSM Summer Accelerator Series, Intro to Analytical Chemistry is a one-week residential program designed to introduce you to the tools and techniques used in professional chemical analysis. You’ll learn how to identify and measure substances using techniques like titration, gravimetry, chromatography, and spectrophotometry. You’ll also build core lab skills—like weighing, heating, calibrating, and preparing solutions and use basic statistics and stoichiometry to interpret your results.
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Cost: $1,495
Dates: June 22 - June 27 | July 13 - July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 7th - 9th grade students
Beauty by Chemistry – NCSSM Summer Accelerator is a one-week residential program for rising 7th–9th graders who want to explore the science behind skincare and cosmetics. You’ll learn how chemical ingredients work in beauty products, experiment with formulations, and create your items like lotions or lip balms. The course also covers safety, sustainability, and ethical issues in the cosmetic industry. You’ll work in NCSSM’s labs, live on campus, and collaborate with peers who share your interest in science and innovation.
Location: Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts
Cost: Starting from $3,695 (scholarships and financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple sessions between June - July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8
Environmental Science + Policy – EXPLO 360° at Wellesley College workshop includes lab-based experiments where students test water samples for pollutants and analyze environmental data. You’ll study chemical contaminants, water quality indicators, and the impact of industrial and agricultural runoff. Simulations and projects focus on environmental crises involving chemical pollution and resource degradation. Students apply chemistry concepts to real-world scenarios, including climate change and sustainability challenges.
Location: Houghton, Michigan
Cost: $745 for commuters and $1,175 for residents
Dates: July 6 - 11
Application Deadline: Not Mentioned
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 - 8
Michigan Technological University’s Wild World of Chemistry is a one-week residential program where you’ll dive into hands-on lab work and real-world chemical applications. You’ll purify copper, extract DNA, synthesize aspirin, repurpose plastics into green cleaners, and use forensic chemistry to solve a mystery. You’ll learn how chemical reactions work, how to design experiments, and how chemistry connects to sustainability, medicine, and materials science. You’ll live in campus housing, eat in university dining halls, and join evening activities with other students.
Location: Stony Brook, New York
Cost: $675
Dates: June 30 - July 10
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 - 9
Stony Brook University’s Science Exploration Program is a two-week summer course for students entering grades 7–9. You’ll build lab skills and explore chemistry through hands-on experiments and case studies. If you’re entering 7th grade, you’ll work across physics, chemistry, microbiology, and ecology to strengthen your scientific thinking. If you’re entering 8th grade, you’ll dive deeper into chemistry topics like bioremediation, environmental chemistry, and analytical methods while studying real-world cases like cholera and genetics.
Location: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI
Cost: $1,370 per session
Dates: Session I: June 15 - June 20 | Session II: June 22 - June 27
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students completing Grades 6 - 8
The Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) course of Everyday Chemistry offers an immersive introduction to chemistry through fun, hands-on labs and experiments. You’ll explore chemical reactions, energy transfer, diffusion, and the properties of everyday substances like food molecules, household cleaners, and plastics. You’ll also design a small research project, test your hypothesis, and present your findings. The course is part of the Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP), designed for students finishing grades 6–8.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21 or June 28
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Rising middle school students
University of Illinois’ Bonding with Chemistry Day Camp is a free, one-day camp for students entering grades 6–8. You’ll explore chemistry through hands-on experiments in topics like electrochemistry, polymers, cooking chemistry, and environmental science. You’ll learn how to use a lab notebook, make scientific observations, and follow experimental procedures, all in a fun, supportive setting led by Illinois chemistry graduate students and faculty.
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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