15 Computer Math Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you're in middle school and want to understand how math applies in coding and tech, computer math programs can be one of the most focused (and real-world) ways to explore that interest. These programs show you how math and computer science work together through logic, algorithms, and real problem-solving, without needing to spend a lot or step too far outside your regular school year.
Computer math usually means using computers to learn math in a hands-on way. You might write code that solves equations, use simulations to explore geometry, or work with graphs to understand networks and data. For middle school students, it’s a way to connect what they’ve learned in school to how things actually work in tech, engineering, and research.
With that, here are 15 computer math programs designed for middle school students! We’ve picked programs that stand out for their content, structure, affordability, and fit for middle school students.
15 Computer Math Programs for Middle School Students
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â Varies by cohort; financial aid available
Dates:Â Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â Rolling deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8
Lumiere Junior Explorer is an 8-week online research program for middle school students in grades 6 to 8. You’ll work one-on-one with a PhD mentor from a top university like Harvard, MIT, or Stanford. In the first half of the program, you’ll explore different topics in a field you choose. Then you’ll narrow down to one and begin building your own research project. Your mentor will guide you through the process, helping you develop your idea, strengthen your writing, and improve your critical thinking. In the final weeks, you’ll complete your project, which could be a paper, presentation, or case study.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective; 12 students
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â Free
Dates: Summer component: July 7 – 25; weekly sessions in fall: August 27 – December 10
Application Deadline:Â March 20
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 6 and 7 from low-income backgrounds who reside and attend school in the U.S.
Stanford Middle School Scholars is a free online program for U.S. students in grades 6 or 7 from low-income families. You’ll take a three-week summer course in July and join weekly sessions from August to December. In the math course, you’ll study cryptography, modular arithmetic, and financial math, topics that connect to real-world systems like digital security and budgeting. You’ll build a strong foundation in mathematical thinking that’s useful in tech. Classes are live and interactive, so you’ll work with other students and join group discussions.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â Varies depending on program type
Dates:Â Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year
Application Deadline:Â Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8
The Veritas AI Trailblazers program is a selective, online initiative that introduces middle schoolers to core topics in artificial intelligence and computer science. You will explore AI concepts such as neural networks, image classification, and ethics, while developing practical skills in Python programming through hands-on projects like image recognition and data visualization. Live sessions and small-group mentoring provide personalized support throughout the 10-week program. By the end, you will build a capstone project and develop a solid foundation for future STEM exploration.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Available year-round
Application Deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students of all ages (including middle school students in grades 6–8)
Great Learning’s Robotics and AI course is a free, beginner-friendly program that shows how computers use math to control robots and make decisions. You’ll learn about control systems, algorithms, and robot programming languages, and see how math helps machines follow instructions. The course also covers how AI uses math for data analysis, decision-making, and neural networks. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete, and you get lifetime access once you enroll. A certificate is optional and costs extra.
Location:Â Virtual
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â Available year-round
Application Deadline:Â Open enrollmentÂ
Eligibility: Open to students of all ages (including middle school students in grades 6–8)
Understanding Robotics Architecture is a free, self-paced online course from Alison that teaches how robots use math and mechanical systems to move and operate. You’ll start with robotic kinematics and learn how joints, links, and degrees of freedom control motion. The course covers robot anatomy, including industrial arm types like SCARA robots, and introduces the Denavit-Hartenberg (DH) algorithm and direct forward kinematics, tools robots use to calculate movement. All content is math-based, focusing on how geometry and computation shape robotic design.
Location:Â Harvard Faculty Club, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $3,799–$3,999 (day participants) | $7,985–$8,485 (residential participants); varies by registration date
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline:Â Open until start date or until seats fill
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 4 through 8
CyberMath Academy’s Summer Math Camp is a two-week residential program held at the Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge, MA. The middle school track is for advanced students in grades 4–8. You’ll study algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics through daily classes and workshops. The curriculum includes proof-writing, logic, and real-world applications, and some sessions explore how math connects to artificial intelligence and computer science. Guest lectures feature researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, including experts in AI systems and hybrid human-machine computing.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective based on qualifying test scores; 16–18 students per class
Location:Â Multiple campuses, including Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI), Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA), Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD), Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA), and Skidmore College (Saratoga Springs, NY)
Cost:Â Varies by course, campus, and residential/commuter status
Dates:Â Varies by course and session
Application Deadline:Â May 16
Eligibility:Â Varies by course; most open to middle school students with qualifying test scores
CTY’s Mathematics Program offers advanced summer and online courses for middle school students who qualify through testing. You can study topics like Cryptology, Number Theory, Game Theory, and Mathematical Logic, which connect math to computing and digital systems. In Cryptology, you’ll explore how math secures communication through ciphers and encryption. In Mathematical Logic, you’ll learn symbolic reasoning and formal systems used in computer science. Online courses are self-paced or instructor-led, with options for live sessions and independent work.
8. SigmaCamp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40–48 students
Location:Â Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center, Sharon, CT
Cost:Â $1,850; financial aid available
Dates: August 2 – 9
Application Deadline:Â April 15
Eligibility: Middle and high school students ages 12–16
SigmaCamp is a one-week residential STEM program for students ages 12 to 16. You’ll study math and computer science through daily Semilabs, sessions that mix lectures with hands-on labs. Topics include number theory, combinatorics, geometry, and computing systems. You’ll also join team competitions like the SigmaTournament, which includes math games and engineering challenges. Guest lectures feature scientists from places like MIT and Yale, and you’ll have chances to lead your workshop or present a science demo.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Flexible, designed for classroom-sized cohorts
Location:Â Classroom-based or virtual delivery
Cost:Â Free; professional development module available at no cost
Dates:Â Flexible scheduling based on school curriculum
Application Deadline:Â Ongoing; no specific deadline
Eligibility:Â Middle school students; no prior coding experience required
Problem Solving and Computing is a highly interactive and collaborative introduction to computer science, emphasizing structured approaches to solving diverse problems. You’ll engage in a structured problem-solving process to tackle puzzles, logic games, engineering tasks, and real-world scenarios. Throughout the program, you’ll explore foundational concepts about how computers input, output, store, and process information to assist humans. The curriculum culminates in a student-driven project where you design your application aimed at solving a real-world problem of your choice.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Flexible classroom sizes
Location:Â Classroom-based or virtual delivery
Cost:Â Free; professional development resources available at no cost
Dates:Â Flexible scheduling (9-week, 12-week, semester, or full-year pacing options)
Application Deadline:Â Ongoing; no specific deadline
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–9); no prior coding experience required
CS Explorations 1 is an engaging, introductory computer science course designed specifically for students in grades 6 through 9. You’ll dive into foundational computer science concepts, mastering skills in programming, problem-solving, physical computing, user-centered design, and data representation, all while using the interactive coding platform Scratch. Throughout the course, you’ll create, remix, and share your animations, games, music, and art projects, fostering creativity and collaboration. The curriculum provides flexible pacing guides, ranging from a single quarter to an entire school year, to fit various schedules.Â
Location: Online (global); also held at various U.S. university campuses in past years
Cost: Varies by course ($975–$1,275 per course, discounts for early registration); financial aid available
Dates: Three summer sessions – Session 1: June 9–27, Session 2: June 30–July 18, Session 3: July 21–August 8Â
Application Deadline: May 28 (tentative); applications reviewed on a rolling basis until classes are full
Eligibility: Middle and high school students with strong math backgrounds (typically ages 11–18); no minimum grade, but a qualifying test is required for placement
AwesomeMath is a three-week online summer program for middle and high school students who want to deepen their math skills and prepare for competitions like AMC 10/12, AIME, and USA(J)MO. You’ll attend live classes Monday through Friday, with 90 minutes of lecture followed by 60 minutes of problem solving. Courses are offered in Algebra, Combinatorics, Geometry, and Number Theory, and you can choose which session and how many courses to take. All classes are taught by experienced instructors, including Olympiad medalists.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Limited; sessions fill quickly
Location:Â UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost:Â $1,465 (day); $2,720 (residential), financial aid available
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – June 27(residential option available), Session 2: July 7 – July 11, Session 4: July 21 – July 25
Application Deadline:Â Rolling admissions; sessions fill early
Eligibility: Teens entering grades 7–9; no prior coding experience required, advanced coding options available
Coding and Engineering Nano-Satellites for Space Exploration is an engaging, hands-on summer program where you’ll use programming to tackle real-world challenges in space exploration. Through block-based coding, you’ll design, build, and program your own model nanosatellite, exploring engineering concepts, iterative design, and foundational astronomy. If you're experienced in Python or JavaScript, you'll have the option to apply your coding skills through advanced challenges. Throughout the week, you'll enjoy activities like planetarium visits, lab tours, daily puzzles, and STEM career exploration sessions with industry professionals and current university students. On the final day, you'll showcase your unique satellite project to friends and family, celebrating your accomplishments.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Limited; sessions fill quickly
Location:Â Georgia Tech campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $400–$650 per week; scholarships available
Dates: Weekly sessions available from June 6 – July 22
Application Deadline:Â Rolling admission; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th grade students
CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. (Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEAM) at Georgia Tech offers engaging, hands-on experiences to boost your knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). Each one-to-two-week session features interactive, grade-appropriate projects explicitly designed for middle school students. You’ll participate in experiential learning activities, developing new skills while collaborating with peers. Programs run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily, with an optional extended care option available until 6:00 PM. Scholarships are available to ensure broad access to this enriching educational experience.
Location:Â IS 240 Andries Hudde Junior High (Midwood, Brooklyn) and STAR Early College School (East Flatbush, Brooklyn)
Cost:Â Free
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th graders; NYC residents only
Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) is an immersive four-week STEM summer program designed specifically for NYC middle school students interested in technology, sustainability, and urban science. You’ll explore key skills such as electronics, circuitry, coding, and microcontroller programming, while addressing real-world challenges in urban and environmental science. Collaborating closely with peers, you'll develop innovative, team-based solutions to issues impacting your community. The program runs at convenient Brooklyn school locations, offering easy access via public transit.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Competitive; limited cohort
Location:Â IS 240 Andries Hudde Junior High (Midwood, Brooklyn) and STAR Early College School (East Flatbush, Brooklyn)
Cost:Â FreeÂ
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline:Â May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th graders; NYC residents only
SONYC is an intensive four-week STEM program that explores the science of sound waves and noise pollution, a critical urban challenge affecting quality of life in New York City. Throughout the program, you’ll engage in hands-on projects, including building electronic sound-monitoring devices, learning foundational coding, and examining the impacts of sound pollution on community health. Collaborating closely with peers, you'll develop innovative communication skills and present your original "smart city" solutions at the program’s culminating expo. Thanks to the generous support of National Grid, participation is fully funded. Hosted at accessible Brooklyn school sites near major transit lines, SONYC provides a convenient and enriching summer STEM experience.
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 in which students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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