13 Fall Critical Thinking Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 8 min read
If you’re in middle school and want to challenge yourself beyond your regular classes, a fall program focused on critical thinking can be a great option. These programs help you build skills like reasoning, problem-solving, analysis, and communication through activities and discussions that encourage you to think more carefully about complex ideas. They also introduce you to new concepts and help you become more confident in how you approach problems.
Why should I do a critical thinking program in middle school?
Joining a critical thinking program can help you learn how to break down problems, evaluate information, and form clear ideas. You’ll practice skills like logic, debate, and analysis while working through different types of challenges. You can also learn alongside other students and get guidance from instructors as you improve your thinking skills.
To help with your search, we have 13 fall critical thinking programs for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
Location: City College of New York campus, 160 Convent Avenue, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: September 13 – December 20
Application Deadline: August 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
CCNY STEM Institute offers middle school students in New York City an engaging way to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on learning. You can choose creative courses like 3D Modeling or Introduction to Architecture, where you’ll design and build projects using real tools, or take advantage of SHSAT prep to strengthen your test readiness. Classes are held after school or on Saturdays, giving you flexibility to fit learning into your schedule. You’ll work on group projects, get one-on-one support through optional virtual tutoring, and learn directly from expert instructors passionate about STEM and STEAM education.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week virtual research experience designed for middle school students to explore advanced academic topics under the guidance of mentors from top universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. During the first half of the program, you’ll dive into different subjects within your chosen track, whether it’s AI, biology, or astrophysics, before focusing on a specific project in the second half. Through weekly one-on-one mentorship, you’ll strengthen your research, analysis, and critical thinking skills while learning how to communicate ideas effectively. The program concludes with a polished, portfolio-ready project that reflects your academic curiosity and creativity. Mentorship is central throughout, helping you gain a deeper understanding of research and presentation.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: There is no information available
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 6–8
NYU Tandon CACTUS (Code Arduino CAD Tech User System) is a 15-week hands-on engineering and technology program that immerses middle school students in robotics, CAD design, and Arduino programming. You’ll learn to analyze complex engineering challenges, design and test creative solutions, and apply logical reasoning to refine your projects. The program emphasizes teamwork and communication as you collaborate with peers to build robots, code systems, and present your final project at an end-of-term expo. Each session blends mechanical design, electronics, and coding, mirroring the real-world workflow of engineers. By turning ideas into functional prototypes, you’ll strengthen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills, core foundations for success in STEM and beyond.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (spring, weekends) | 25 hours over 2 weeks (summer, weekdays)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a virtual program that introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning through 25 hours of hands-on instruction. You’ll start by learning Python programming before diving into topics such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you’ll receive close guidance and feedback in both lectures and group sessions. The program culminates in a final project in which you apply your learning to build something original, such as a music genre classifier or a recommendation tool for educational resources. Along the way, you’ll also explore the ethical side of AI and develop critical thinking skills around its real-world applications.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies by course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by course
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12
Johns Hopkins CTY Online Courses give you the chance to explore advanced topics that challenge your reasoning and problem-solving skills beyond what’s offered in school. Designed for academically advanced middle school students, these courses cover fields such as computer science, math, engineering, social sciences, and language arts. You’ll learn through interactive lessons and project-based activities that require analysis, evaluation, and creative thinking, core elements of critical thought. Guided by expert instructors, you’ll tackle complex problems, debate ideas, and build independent learning strategies. With flexible pacing and access to a global community of peers, CTY’s courses help you strengthen both your intellectual curiosity and analytical mindset.
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: $1,000; financial aid available / none
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays after school (8 weeks) and Saturdays during the day (4 weeks) in the fall
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Science Alliance: Middle School Program at the American Museum of Natural History gives you the chance to explore real science alongside museum scientists in a fun, hands-on way. Over four to eight weeks, you can choose topics such as anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, Earth science, or evolutionary biology, and learn through direct observation and exploration of the museum’s exhibits. The program focuses on inquiry-based learning, encouraging you to ask questions, analyze evidence, and draw your own conclusions about the natural world. Without the pressure of tests or grades, you’re free to experiment, think critically, and connect ideas across different scientific fields.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $500 each quarter
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: October through December
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 1–12
Stanford Math Circle is an enrichment program for students who love exploring mathematics beyond the classroom. You will join weekly sessions led by mathematicians and educators from Stanford, where you’ll work through challenging problems, puzzles, and concepts not typically covered in school. The program emphasizes reasoning, pattern recognition, and abstract thinking, helping you approach problems like a real mathematician. Instead of rote learning, you’ll engage in hands-on exploration and collaborative problem-solving that deepens both creativity and logic.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $575 (need-based financial aid available) / none
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: No information available
Dates: October 8 – November 19
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 8. Check the full list of requirements here
Northwestern’s CTD Online Enrichment Courses offer middle school students the opportunity to explore advanced, interdisciplinary subjects in a flexible and engaging online environment. These courses are structured to strengthen both your critical and creative thinking through weekly activities and interactive sessions led by experienced instructors. You’ll attend live classes, complete assignments at your own pace, and receive ongoing feedback to guide your progress. The topics in the program span multiple disciplines, encouraging you to connect ideas, think independently, and approach problems from different perspectives. By the end of the course, you’ll receive personalized evaluations highlighting your growth and intellectual development.
Location: UNC Charlotte Woodward Building
Cost/Stipend: $125
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 100 students
Dates: September to December
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in August
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The STEM Saturday Academy @ UNC Charlotte introduces middle school students to core STEM concepts through hands-on learning, collaboration, and competition preparation. Across five Saturdays, you’ll take part in four-hour in-person sessions covering topics such as chemical reactions, algebraic equations, physics, and engineering, complemented by two virtual lab sessions and guest lectures. The program emphasizes problem-based learning, teamwork, and inquiry-driven exploration to build critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills. You’ll also receive focused guidance for Science Olympiad events, practice sample questions, and participate in mock competitions.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,795
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
Psychology in Our Everyday Lives — Rice University Precollege introduces you to the science behind human thought and behavior through mentor-supported, multimedia learning. You’ll explore key fields such as cognitive, health, human factors, and industrial–organizational psychology while developing a strong foundation in research methods and statistics. The course emphasizes applying psychological concepts to real-world situations—such as workplace behavior, health decisions, and social influences—encouraging you to evaluate claims using evidence-based reasoning. Your learning culminates in a capstone project: a 3-minute “news” video that analyzes a real problem and proposes a psychology-informed solution.
Location: Online and classroom-based via Kendall Hunt Publishing
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students
Pathways to Empower – Middle School: Learning to Thrive is a neuroscience-based program that helps students build critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Developed by the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative, the program includes four modules — Neuroscience 101, The Resilient Mindset Model, Brain-Based Relationships, and Mental Health Literacy. These modules teach you how to analyze challenges, evaluate evidence, and make reasoned decisions. Through interactive visuals and character-based brain models, you learn how different parts of the brain influence emotions, relationships, and behavior. The program’s “4S” framework—self, situation, support, and strategies—guides you in responding thoughtfully to real-life challenges.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free to enroll
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Available year-round
Eligibility: Open to all
Critical Thinking & Logic: Real-World Skills helps middle school students strengthen their reasoning abilities by exploring how to analyze and construct sound arguments. You’ll learn to identify premises, conclusions, and rhetorical devices in real-world contexts while applying deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning to form structured explanations. The course emphasizes practical application; students examine real-life examples such as business innovations and everyday problem-solving to understand how logic applies beyond the classroom. You’ll also explore how language and definitions influence reasoning, helping you think more clearly and communicate effectively.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
Foundations of Medicine – Pre-College Program at Rice University introduces you to the science behind how the human body works and how different systems connect to keep us alive. Through lessons on the nervous, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, you’ll learn key physiological concepts like electrical signaling, flow and resistance, and active versus passive transport. Practicing physicians share real-world insights into how these systems function and what happens when they fail, encouraging you to think critically about medical problem-solving. The program emphasizes analysis over memorization, as you explore how different biological processes interact and affect one another. You’ll conclude with a final project that challenges you to model or explain how body systems operate together, reinforcing inquiry, reasoning, and scientific communication skills.
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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