10 Computer Science Summer Programs for Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
Starting computer science early helps you build a foundation in logic, coding, and computational thinking long before high school or college. Summer programs often mix hands‑on projects and real problem‑solving so you don’t just read about concepts. You apply them in games, apps, or robotics.
Mentorship from instructors and peer collaboration boosts confidence and helps you see how technical ideas fit into real challenges. Many options are non‑residential and flexible, so you can fit them into your summer without moving away from home. A few are more selective and academically rigorous, while others balance challenge with accessibility depending on your interests.
10 Computer Science Summer Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: Andries Hudde Magnet School of STEAM, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; limited to NYC residents in 6th–7th grade
Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC residents currently in 6th or 7th grade
At NYU’s Science of Smart Cities, you explore how urban spaces can be improved through engineering and technology. You’ll work in teams to learn coding, circuitry, and environmental science, applying these skills to real-world urban problems like pollution, energy use, or transportation. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, giving you access to microcontrollers, sensors, and other tools to bring your designs to life. At the end, you showcase a project that demonstrates how your smart city idea could solve a real challenge.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.
4. Penn GEMS
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Estimated around $650 (fee TBD); limited financial aid available
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; regional program with limited spots
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders (must live and attend school within 60 miles of Penn)
Penn GEMS is a week-long day camp that introduces you to fields like robotics, computer science, and bioengineering through interactive workshops and experiments. You’ll work in small teams to explore real-world STEM challenges, from earthquake engineering and AI ethics to game design and DNA extraction. Led by Penn students and faculty, the camp blends fun, mentorship, and academic exploration. Final presentations and hands-on projects give you a glimpse into what it's like to solve problems the way engineers and scientists do.
Location: Online (Live via Zoom)
Cost/Stipend: $1,990; limited scholarships up to $1,000 available
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; small teams of 3–4 students for projects
Dates: June 23–August 1
Application Deadline: June 11 (or until filled)
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18 (rising 8th–12th grade)
At MehtA+, you explore AI and machine learning from the ground up with university-level material taught by engineers from MIT and Stanford. Over six weeks, you’ll train models, analyze real-world data, and build interdisciplinary research projects in areas like medicine, economics, or digital humanities. You work in teams, present your findings at a final conference, and may even publish your research. The program emphasizes not just technical depth but also ethical AI use, teamwork, and coding best practices.
Location: University of Nevada, Reno
Cost/Stipend: $1,550 (financial assistance available)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; open to Davidson Young Scholars only
Dates: June 14–18, June 21–25, July 5–9, July 12–16 (varies by session)
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Davidson Young Scholars ages 8–13
Davidson Summer Programs offer a residential academic experience tailored to profoundly gifted students. Depending on your age, you either rotate through interactive workshops (ages 8–11) or dive deep into a chosen seminar topic (ages 11–13), such as nature writing, coding with JavaScript, or ancient engineering. The week includes academic field trips, collaborative projects, and structured social activities to build friendships and strengthen independence. Set on a university campus, the program blends academic rigor with a supportive environment built specifically for advanced learners.
Location: Norwich University, Northfield, VT
Cost/Stipend: $500 (scholarships up to $400 available for U.S. citizens)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; open to U.S. middle school students only
Dates: June 28–July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
At Norwich’s Cyber Immersion Camp, you’ll spend a week on campus exploring the world of cybersecurity through hands-on labs and real tools used by professionals. You’ll learn Python basics, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and network analysis using platforms like Metasploit and Wireshark. Beyond academics, you’ll join outdoor adventures, pool parties, and paintball games while living on campus with fellow students. Led by faculty from Norwich’s nationally recognized cybersecurity program, this camp helps you build both technical confidence and lasting friendships.
Location: University of Alaska Anchorage & Mat-Su College (Palmer, AK)
Cost/Stipend: $300 per session (tuition waivers available for qualifying families)
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective via lottery system; ~7:1 student-to-staff ratio
Dates: Weekly sessions from June 2–August 1 (no sessions June 30–July 4)
Application Deadline: TBA (lottery held in early March)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3–12 (middle school sessions for grades 6–8)
These week-long, hands-on academies give you the chance to dive into engineering and technology through courses like robotics, 3D printing, Python coding, bridge building, and artificial intelligence. You’ll build and test your own creations, such as Arduino-powered robots or 3D-printed bridges, while learning the science behind their design. Instruction comes from university faculty and engineering students, with strong mentorship and plenty of one-on-one guidance. Camps are held on UAA’s campus and at Mat-Su College, offering local access to high-quality STEM enrichment. Sessions are grouped by grade, so you’ll be learning alongside peers at a similar level.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: $75 (1-week) or $125 (2-week); scholarships available
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Selective; limited spots, accepted on a rolling basis
Dates: June 9–20 (2-week) and June 23–27 (1-week)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: One-week: rising 7th grade+ with no experience; two-week: rising 9th grade+ with prior computer use
The Summer Computing Academy introduces you to Python programming through a full-day, lab-based learning experience on the UMN campus. You’ll write code to control robots, explore image processing, and work on small projects while guided by graduate students and professors. Each session wraps up with a student showcase where you present what you’ve created. Whether you’re completely new to coding or have some background, the program matches instruction to your level. Lunch, snacks, and tech access are all included to support your learning.
Location: Online (Live via Zoom)
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,499 depending on package
Acceptance Rate or Cohort Size: Small cohorts (~6 students); 4:1 student-to-staff ratio
Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Ages 12–18 (advanced 11-year-olds with permission)
In Berkeley Coding Academy’s summer program, you dive into the real-world code behind artificial intelligence. Across 70 hours of live instruction and cohort-based projects, you’ll learn Python, build machine learning models, analyze big data, and create data visualizations. You’re grouped by experience level, so whether you're new or more advanced, your coding skills are challenged and supported. The experience ends with a final project and certificate you can use to show off your work in applications or portfolios.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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