20 Fall Educational Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 7 hours ago
- 13 min read
Fall can be a good time to explore learning outside your regular classes. Many educational programs for middle school students open during this season, offering practical and beneficial ways to understand new subjects or strengthen what you already know. These programs usually take place between September and December, making them easy to balance with schoolwork.
What will I do in a fall educational program as a high school student?
You can choose from subjects like science, art, music, or financial literacy and take part in activities that build your understanding step by step. Some programs include hands-on projects or small group sessions, which help you stay engaged and apply what you learn in a real way.
These programs are also a chance to meet students who share your interests and work with teachers or mentors who guide you through the process. Whether you want to explore a new topic or build stronger study habits, a fall program can help you do that in a focused setting.
Here is a list of 20 fall educational programs for middle school students that you can consider this season!
20 Fall Educational Programs for Middle School Students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: New York University (NYU) Washington Square Campus
Cost: $200; A fee waiver offered for students who meet economic eligibility criteria
Dates: Fall-Spring – October 18 – May 2 (Saturdays)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis till spots are filled
Eligibility: Students enrolled in grades 7 - 12 with a B average in Math, Science, and English (Students enrolled in the 7th grade are also eligible for the academic year cycle); must be residents of New York State
The Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at New York University (NYU) provides opportunities for middle school and high school students to enhance science and mathematics education. You will participate in project-learning activities and supervised training in STEM subjects and attend academic enrichment classes led by NYU faculty and co-taught by NYU students. There are two main areas of study- Math, in which you will enhance mathematical skills while getting instructions in Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus; and English, in which you will enhance written communication and critical thinking skills. The program culminates with an end-of-year celebration event.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-on-1
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Middle school students, grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is a fully remote, highly selective program for ambitious middle school students keen to pursue research and independent projects in fields they are passionate about, including STEM, humanities, and social sciences. In the 8-week program, you will work 1-on-1 with mentors from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke and LSE and also have individual sessions with a writing coach. You can select a field of your choice in AI, astrophysics, engineering, mathematics, environmental science, history, and more! You will enhance reading, writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills to prepare for high school and your college academic journey. You can check out the JEP brochure and apply here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is availableÂ
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends) or 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays during the summer).
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
Veritas AI's Trailblazers program is a fully virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning through hands-on projects in Python, data analysis, neural networks, and AI ethics. In the initial two weeks, you will learn the fundamentals of AI & medicine, and in the next three weeks, study exploratory data analysis (EDA), convolutional neural networks, and more. In subsequent weeks, you will deep dive into more advanced aspects of image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You will attend online academic lectures and group sessions and work on a group project with your peers. Check out the brochure here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio with 1:1 private class option available
Location: Virtual
Cost: Starts at $270 for every 4 weeks + $100 registration fee (none for first-time registration)
Dates: Year-round program
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible; open to ages 8 – 18 (age criterion for each program as applicable)
YoungWonks offers kids and teens self-paced programs in coding and engineering. You will attend real-time classes to learn coding and electronics concepts and engage in immersive educational experiences with a technology-based curriculum and hands-on robotics and game development projects. You will learn the fundamental concepts before moving to advanced levels, starting with Scratch and Python Programming and, subsequently, Circuit Magic, and Arduino/Raspberry Pi Prototyping.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: School-year program
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 12
The USA Science and Engineering Festival X-STEM All Access is a free, virtual conference series where you can explore exciting careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Created by the nonprofit Science Spark, this program is designed for middle and high school students like you who want to learn directly from real-world STEM professionals. You’ll hear from ocean explorers, aerospace engineers, tropical biologists, and climate conservationists as they share their work and career journeys. You can dive into topics like space, the ocean, optics, microelectronics, and artificial intelligence using lesson plans created by educators. You’ll also get to participate in global science events such as World Space Week (October 4 to 10) and Earth Science Week (October 12 to 18).
Acceptance rate/cohort size: As decided by the educator
Location: Flexible (afterschool, camps, or astronomy days; adaptable to virtual if needed)
Cost: Free (expenses for any required materials to be borne by participants/educators)
Dates: As decided by the educator, with a flexible schedule (12 sessions during after-school hours)
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Middle school students supported by an educator
NASA's Afterschool Universe (AU) is an informal out-of-school-time educational program freely available to all and designed for middle school students to explore science and astronomy, focusing on the cosmos and not only on the solar system. The structured curriculum is spread over 12 sessions once or twice a week after the school day is over, as decided by the educator. You will learn astronomy concepts through lesson plans and hands-on activities through a variety of techniques, including art, kinesthetic activities, and writing. The sessions include an introductory activity of creating a model of the universe, exploring several different types of light in the electromagnetic spectrum, learning about galaxies, stars, black holes and ending with creating a cosmic quilt! You will also learn to assemble simple versions of an astronomer’s basic tools, such as a telescope and a spectroscope.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: As decided by the educator
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: As decided by the educator
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Youth in grades 5 – 9 (supported by classroom educators/facilitators)
The Youth Astronomy Network (YouthAstroNet) is an educational program of the Science Education Department of the Center for Astrophysics (CfA), Harvard and Smithsonian, for middle school students to explore science through authentic inquiry and gain interest in a future STEM career. You will participate in an immersive learning experience using remotely controlled robotic telescopes and image-processing software to enhance and make measurements of astronomical images. You will capture details of astronomical objects, investigate color phenomena, or use analytical tools to pursue independent projects. You will have discussions with an online community of peers, scientists and educators, ask questions, and explore how science is connected to everyday life.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: Key Largo, FL
Cost: $350 per swimmer (half-day)/$630 per swimmer (full day)
Dates: As per availability
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Open to middle school students (minimum age is 7 years); must understand English or be accompanied by a paid spectating translator
Dolphins Plus Bayside Inc.'s Trainer For A Day Program is a recreational-cum-educational program which provides opportunities for middle school students to learn about marine mammal care and training while interacting with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural seawater habitat. You will gain hands-on experience while learning about dolphin behavior, communication, and training techniques. You will participate in behind-the-scenes activities with expert trainers, such as preparing their food and contributing to the conservation efforts of marine mammals. You will also participate in discussions on marine mammal intelligence, dolphin anatomy and the role of marine mammal care professionals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Learn anytime!
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Middle school students
MIT's Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) Playground is an online educational platform for middle school students and beginners to learn about AI and robotics through block programming. You will gain multimedia experiences with interactive lessons and projects, and have a critical approach to AI and natural interaction. One of the lessons is Dancing with AI, through which you will learn how different AI systems interact with each other, build projects with different models, learn the ethics of training models on different datasets, etc. The How to Train Your Robot lesson will provide opportunities to explore machine learning and ethics, how to design a robot companion to meet a real-world challenge, and use machine learning to make the robot intelligent.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500 each quarter
Dates: September 30 – December 11 (fall weekly sessions)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill (registrations typically open one to months prior to each quarter)
Eligibility: Grades 5 – 6, Grades 7 – 8
The Middle School Math Circle is part of the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies' enrichment program for middle school students interested in math, with online, after-school extracurricular sessions led by mathematicians, educators, and Stanford scholars. You will explore mathematical topics and participate in discussions and group problem-solving activities with a community of peers. As applicable to your school grade, you can enroll for the Math Circle for students in grades 5 – 6, which includes modules on divisibility, invariants, symmetry and other concepts or the Math Circle for students in grades 7– 8 with more advanced topics and abstract reasoning.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Location: Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA
Cost: Typically starts at $205; Need-based scholarships available
Dates: October 18 – December 13 (weekly classes)
Application Deadline: Payment due September 30; registrations first-come, first-served.
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 12
Saturday Studios hosted at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a youth program which provides opportunities for students to explore a variety of artistic fields, including drawing, painting and sculpture, while enhancing their creative talent. The classes are led by MassArt students majoring in Art Education and supervised by MassArt Art Education faculty. Through weekly Saturday classes, middle school students in grades 6 – 8 can learn Sculpting. You will create 3D forms, working on materials such as wood, clay, wood, wire and various objects, with inspiration from historical and contemporary sculptural works. The Studio Explorations is another option, in which you will observe and explore what you see around you in your daily life through drawing, painting, collage, etc. and gain insight into the styles of artists of different media.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $648 (all supplies are provided) with merit-based Joanne Alter Scholarship available
Dates: October 2 – December 12, with spring and summer cohorts available (check schedules here)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Middle school students; should be ages 10 – 13
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers middle school students in-person educational courses in art and design, led by practicing artists and educators. The 10-week courses held every Saturday include animation, drawing, painting, comics and graphic novel illustrations, and fashion design. You will gain conceptual and technical skills through self-expression and out-of-the-box thinking with support from mentors, and collaborate with a community of peers who share the same interests. You will get access to the library and the art museum to gain inspiration for your art or design project.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, AZ
Cost: $25 registration fee with scholarships available
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Grades 4 – 8
The Arizona Science Center Girls in STEM program gives you the chance to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on activities designed for girls in grades 4 to 8. You’ll dive into exciting topics like anatomy, forensics, and paleontology in the Anatomy Adventures. In Wild Realms, you’ll dissect a fish and design your own biome. Through Girls in STEMiconducter, you’ll learn how semiconductors impact everyday life. Alongside these projects, you’ll attend sessions led by industry experts and mentors who will introduce you to STEM careers and share their experiences.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: For up to 30 students, including video lessons and written curriculum
Location: Lesson materials to be downloaded and used by the educator in the school classroom
Cost: Based on the school's population that is eligible to receive free or reduced lunch (starts at $150)
Dates: Lesson materials are available in the fall
Application Deadline: Registrations typically start in August
Eligibility: Grades 6 – 8 supported by the school's educator
Sheldon Arts Foundation's Sheldon Sound Studio is a STEAM-based cross-curricular educational program that challenges middle school students to design and create a sound art project made from recycled or repurposed materials. Led by your classroom educator, you will have a hands-on learning experience which focuses on combining technology with acoustic sound. Short videos will introduce you to the concept of sound art, mechanics of sound, sound design and acoustics, and other basic fundamentals. You will participate in a core activity and optional extension activities. You will work with peers in a group of two to three, to complete the Sound Studio Challenge project in which you have to incorporate a contact microphone into the sound art (contact microphones are provided by the studio). The result will be displayed in an online gallery!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: The Museum of Flight, Seattle Campus, with virtual meet-up options available
Cost: Free
Dates: October through DecemberÂ
Application Deadline: October 27 or till spots fill (enrollment typically in August – September)
Eligibility: Middle school girls in grades 6 – 8
The Museum of Flight's Amelia's Aero Club (AAC) offers in-person/virtual immersive learning experiences for middle school girls to explore STEM fields. You will enhance personal development skills such as self-confidence, critical thinking, risk-taking, problem-solving, and innovative ideation. You will interact with peers and industry professionals who will provide guidance and mentorship. Fall programs include Lashes ’N Lab Coats to get hands-on experience in STEM careers; the Soar and Explore Summit, a full-day conference to connect with STEM professionals; and HER Footsteps, to meet peers and help each other in personal development.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center, Auburn University, AL
Cost: Free
Date: October 14
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Grades: K – 6 (current school year); must attend with a parent and/or legal guardian)
The Grand Engineering Challenge is an annual fall educational event hosted at Auburn University. Elementary and middle school students up to grade 6 will gain insight into a variety of engineering disciplines with university faculty, staff and students leading interactive exhibits and experiments. You will participate in hands-on activities and STEM games to learn how to meet engineering challenges. Some of the fields you will dive into are efficient solar panel placement, restoring and improving urban infrastructure, accessing clean water, using virtual reality to view the solar system, and more!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Location: Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Service, Burkesville, KY
Cost: Free
Dates: October 14 (check for upcoming club events here)
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Youth ages 9 – 18
The Cumberland County 4-H Animal Science Club is a free-to-join club for youth ages 9 – 18 to explore animal science fields and future careers in veterinary science, agriculture, and other related fields. You will gain hands-on learning experiences in animal husbandry at monthly meetings, participate in community service projects and events, and connect with other youth who share your interests. You can work on projects related to animal health and livestock management of farm animals such as horses, dogs, livestock, and poultry, as well as the ham curing process. You will also attend workshops on nutrition, veterinary care, and sustainable farming practices.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: NA
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Available any time!
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Ages 7 – 12 (age-appropriate programs available) with support by a parent/teacher
The VISA Practical Money Skills program is an online financial educational program to learn key financial concepts through interactive content, such as comics. You will gain money management skills through discussions and collaborative activities. You will learn how to manage savings, spending an allowance, comparing prices while shopping, investments and financial planning. You will understand how to stick to a budget and avoid impulse buying! You will gain life skills as well, including problem-solving and research abilities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: As decided by the instructor
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Instructors can register any time
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Middle school, high school and college students with support by an educator (parent/teacher)
The AFSA Education Foundation MoneySKILL Program is a free web-based personal finance course for middle, high school, and college students to learn the fundamentals of money management. The English/Spanish course includes digital resources such as videos and audio dictation options. Through the interactive lessons, you gain the knowledge and foundational skills to make critical financial decisions. You will learn the basics of finance, such as budgeting, accessing credit, understanding the pitfalls of excessive debt, and more. You will also learn niche aspects such as identity theft, retirement plans, and insurance.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 30 with groups of 8 - 10 per instructor/educator
Location: Virtual
Cost: $240 (discount for siblings available)
Dates: October 23 – November 20 (every Thursday)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Grades 6 – 8
Teach Me Wall Street – Wall Street 101 is an online program designed to help you build financial literacy through interactive Zoom classes. In just five sessions, you’ll learn the basics of stocks and investing, including important concepts like diversification, compounding, and how businesses work. You’ll also get practical tips on smart money habits and how to grow your wealth over time. The program is hands-on and designed for middle school students, so you’ll be learning in a fun, engaging way that builds your confidence. When you finish all five classes, you’ll receive a Certificate of Achievement to recognize your progress and new skills.
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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