15 Fall Research Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a middle school student who wants to learn how research works, fall is a good time to start. Many programs during this period let you explore science, technology, and other subjects while the school year is still going on. You can spend a few weeks working on small projects, joining online sessions, or visiting a campus to see how research actually happens.
How are fall research programs different from summer research programs?
Fall research programs are different from summer programs because they run during the academic year. They are usually shorter, more focused, and designed to fit around your school schedule. You’ll also get a sense of what kind of research might interest you later in high school or college. These experiences can help you when applying to future programs or internships since they show you’ve already started working on research early.
To make it easier for you, here’s a list of 15 fall research programs for middle school students.
15 Fall Research Programs for Middle School Students
Location: WPAFB, OH
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 18
Dates: Vary, with two sessions offered each month (check the schedule here)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (cohorts attend with teachers through their school)
The SEMEDS Program (Scanning Electron Microscope Educators) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a hands-on STEM outreach initiative sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. Designed for middle and high school students, this after-school program offers you an opportunity to operate a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and explore how advanced imaging tools are used in real-world scientific research. You’ll work directly with science and engineering professionals at WPAFB, using the same equipment they use in their labs to examine everyday materials, like Velcro, at incredibly high magnification.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; need-based full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 1-on-1
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.
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 300 students from 4,100 applications across all MITES programs annually
Dates: 16 Saturdays during the school year – 8 weeks each in fall (September to end of November/early December) and spring (February to early May)
Application Deadline: November 30/December 5 (tentatively), with applications opening in the fall
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 who are enrolled and live in and attend Boston, Cambridge, and Lawrence, MA public schools (check all eligibility requirements here)
MITES Saturdays is a year-long enrichment program designed for high-achieving middle and high school students with a strong interest in science and engineering. Hosted by MIT, the program runs during the academic year with fall and spring components, offering deep exposure to STEM subjects and their real-world applications. You’ll take part in engaging STEM project courses such as robotics, engineering design, or biological engineering, where you’ll build hands-on skills and explore technical concepts through collaborative group work. Alongside this, you’ll attend an Academic Mentoring Seminar (AMS) focused on college readiness, leadership, and non-technical skill development, including communication, time management, and goal setting.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; need-based full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
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 in medicine. 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.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October 25 to March 8 (Saturdays)
Application Deadline: October 20
Eligibility: Grades 6 – 9 based in the U.S.; must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Clinical Engineering Learning Lab Initiative (CELLI) is a free online program for middle and high school students interested in biomedical engineering. Held weekly on Saturdays from fall through March, it’s organized with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Next Club. You’ll work in a small group of 2–4 students on a research project that focuses on a community health issue. Mentors will guide you through identifying a problem, developing biomedical solutions, and presenting your findings. You can also submit your final project to E-Cybermission, a national STEM competition that highlights student-led innovation.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: $65/day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24
Dates: Vary, depending on the time of year (November 11 for upcoming fall camp)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Grades 5 – 7
Stony Brook University’s Holiday Science Camp is a STEM program for students in grades 5 to 7 who want to explore science through lab experiences. Organized by the Institute for STEM Education, the camp focuses on a different theme each session, such as marine biology in the fall. You’ll study marine ecosystems, observe specimens under a microscope, and learn how scientists respond to challenges like oil spills and environmental damage. Through experiments and group projects, you’ll strengthen your research and problem-solving skills while learning how science is applied in the real world.
Location: Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club and True Value Boys & Girls Club, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 60
Dates: Vary every quarter (7 – 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Grades 5 – 8 (typically from the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago)
The Northwestern University Science Club curriculum offers free, hands-on STEM units for middle school students. Each unit lasts 7 to 10 weeks and ends with a final challenge or competition. Topics include food science, medical diagnosis, neurobiology and sports, prosthetic design, sound and vibration, and water quality. You will work in teams, conduct experiments, and use scientific methods to solve real-world problems. The curriculum is developed by Northwestern scientists and tested with local students.
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), Baltimore, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Dates: Year-round, starting in the fall
Application Deadline: September 22
Eligibility: Students enrolled in partner schools entering grades 6 – 10 in the fall should commit to the program through middle school and high school
The UMB CURE Scholars Program is a free mentoring initiative for middle and high school students interested in STEM, cancer research, and healthcare. Run by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in partnership with the National Cancer Institute, it combines lab work, academic support, and mentorship from professionals in science and medicine. As a middle school scholar, you’ll follow three main tracks: food science in sixth grade, anatomy in seventh, and coding and robotics in eighth. Each year includes hands-on experiments, projects, and lessons that build your science and research skills. You’ll also meet doctors and researchers who share their experiences in healthcare and biomedical fields, helping you understand career paths and teamwork in science.
Location: Stanford University Main Quad, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $50 registration fee with need-based fee waiver available ($10 lunch fee optional)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Class capacity varies
Dates: November 15 – 16, with a spring session available
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: Grades 8 – 12; should be at least 13 years old; priority given to local students in the Bay Area.
Splash at Stanford University is a weekend learning program run by the Stanford Educational Studies Program (ESP) for middle and high school students. It takes place on the Stanford campus and includes two full days of classes taught by Stanford students, alumni, faculty, and community members. Each session covers a wide range of topics, such as quantum physics, recycling, or the ethics of AI in healthcare. You can choose subjects based on your interests and learn through discussions and interactive lessons. The program helps you build problem-solving and teamwork skills while experiencing a college environment and meeting others who enjoy learning.
Location: Your school
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Varies, as decided by the classroom teacher
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Grades 5 – 12
Bootstrap offers a free Computer Science and Data Science course for students in grades 5 to 12. The program teaches programming, data analysis, and problem-solving through projects that connect to everyday situations. It’s taught by your regular classroom teachers and fits into subjects like math, science, business, and social studies. You might learn algebra by designing a video game or use data to explore local issues in social studies. Through these lessons, you’ll practice coding, graphing, and data visualization while applying what you learn to real-world topics that matter to you.
Location: Your Schuylkill County school
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: As per school educators
Dates: During the school year (30 – 36 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in K – 8 in specific Schuylkill County Districts (check eligible districts here)
Schuylkill ACHIEVE is an after-school program for K–8 students in Schuylkill County Districts, held Monday through Thursday. It focuses on academic growth and personal development through hands-on activities connected to what you study in school. You’ll spend time in classrooms, computer labs, libraries, art rooms, and gyms, working on projects in STEM, reading, health, creative arts, and character building. The program also includes homework support to help you stay organized and improve your learning. Outside regular hours, you can join special events, free Saturday field trips, and summer camps.
12. Project GUTS
Location: Your school
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: As decided by the teacher
Dates: Flexible schedule after school (typically 22-26 weeks)
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: Middle school students with support from the school teachers
Project GUTS (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically) is an after-school program from the Scheller Teacher Education Program at MIT for middle school students interested in science and technology. Guided by your classroom teacher, you’ll study topics in earth, life, and physical sciences through practical, theme-based units. These units focus on issues like epidemics, pollution, and traffic, helping you learn how to analyze and solve problems using scientific methods. You’ll also create and modify computer models to test ideas, which builds your skills in coding, data analysis, and computational thinking.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,795 with need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Dates: Vary; available throughout the year with 2-week/4-week options (check upcoming schedule here)
Application Deadline: One week before the start of the program
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Genome Engineering program is a self-paced online course for students ages 13 and older who want to learn about genetics and biotechnology. Through video lessons, you’ll study how genome editing works, how genetic mutations lead to disease, and how tools like CRISPR are used in research and medicine. The course also introduces the ethical and practical sides of gene editing. You’ll explore applications in diagnostics, medical research, and genetic counseling while developing a capstone project with mentor support. After finishing the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from Rice University.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: 1,795 with need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Dates: Vary; available throughout the year with 2-week/4-week options (check upcoming schedule here)
Application Deadline: One week before the start of the program
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Rice University’s Medicine: Diagnostics, Treatment, and Patient Care is an online program for students who want to learn how the medical field works. Through live and recorded sessions, you’ll see how doctors and healthcare professionals identify symptoms, use diagnostic tools, and decide on treatments while developing communication skills for patient interaction. The course covers major body systems such as the respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems and explains how tests and imaging help in diagnosis and care. You’ll also study recent developments in medical science and their impact on healthcare practice.
15. Georgetown University's Medical Research Program – Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $1,895 with need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The information is not available
Dates: Vary with options of one-week/two-weeks/four-week sessions depending on the time of year (check upcoming schedules here)
Application Deadline: One week before the start of the program
Eligibility: For students age 13 and up
Georgetown University’s Medical Research: Clinical Trials Resulting in Medical Discoveries is an online course for high school students interested in medical research and evidence-based medicine. Through videos, readings, and simulations, you’ll learn how clinical trials lead to new treatments and how ethical standards guide research. You’ll work on assignments with guidance from a mentor who provides feedback through email and discussion boards. The course covers study design, data analysis, and peer review, helping you understand how scientific discoveries are made. You’ll also explore career paths in areas like pharmacology, biostatistics, and biomedical sciences. After completing a capstone project and at least 70% of the coursework, you’ll receive a certificate of completion from Georgetown University.
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.
Image Source - Northwestern University logo