15 Fall Science Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students

Structured enrichment programs are designed to offer you academic training beyond school coursework! While in middle school, you can consider these programs to explore your interests and build new skills in advanced and/or specialized subject areas, such as STEM fields. Science enrichment programs can offer you practical exposure to research, lab work, college-level STEM coursework, and the daily operations of science and tech workplaces. As a participant, you will also get to explore career paths in science and build valuable connections with STEM professionals, professors, and experts.

You can choose from a wide range of enrichment programs for middle schoolers, spanning fields like biology, health sciences, chemistry, and physics. These programs typically provide training through a combination of coursework, collaborative activities, research, and career exploration opportunities. Many of these opportunities are also available during the school year, often in the fall, allowing you to benefit from smaller cohorts and more personalized mentorship than summer programs can offer.

In this blog, we have listed 15 fall science enrichment programs for middle school students.

If you are looking for summer enrichment programs, check out our blog here.

15 Fall Science Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Several eight-week sessions are scheduled each year, including during the fall

Application deadline: Rolling deadlines for each cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8

Lumiere’s Junior Explorer program provides research-focused enrichment programs for middle school students throughout the year, including in the fall. You will work 1-on-1 under the guidance of a Ph.D.-level mentor exploring a specific STEM field. The program offers various tracks, including medicine, biology, neuroscience, computer science, and physics. You will start with a deep dive into your chosen field, learning about advanced sub-topics related to your interests. Then, you will design and complete a research project on a topic of your choice, focusing on tackling a real-world question in the field and producing a scientific research paper. 

2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: 10-week program; multiple cohorts each year, including in the fall

Application deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Middle school students 

The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual science enrichment program for middle school students who want to learn about the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will study the basics of Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics through lectures and group sessions following a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. You will also work on an AI-focused project during the program. In the past, students have worked on projects that include building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications. 

3. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) 

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost: $200; financial aid available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: October 18 – May 2 (school year session) | 

Application deadline: TBA

Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 who have a B average or above in Math, Science, and English, who are New York residents, and who meet state-determined income criteria; 7th-grade students must apply to the Academic year cycle.

NYU’s STEP offers middle school students the opportunity to supplement their schoolwork with multidisciplinary science enrichment programming and leadership skill building. Here, you will attend STEM workshops across math, healthcare, science, and engineering, which are designed to help you boost your academic knowledge and prepare for high school. You will also practice writing in humanities and STEM-focused sessions. You will also have access to tutor-led counseling and test preparation opportunities during the program.

4. University of Central Florida (UCF) STEM Day

Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~1,500 students across grade levels

Dates: October 24 (fall event); a spring event is also scheduled each year.

Application deadline: Open until full

Eligibility: K-12 students

The University of Central Florida runs various K-12 outreach events, including STEM Day, which offers workshops focused on science, tech, math, and engineering. You will spend the day exploring STEM through demonstrations, activities, speaker-led sessions, and exhibits designed by UCF students and faculty. You can choose from several activities designed for students of your grade level. You will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from university faculty and undergraduate mentors. This program can offer an introduction to university life and potential academic paths in science.

5. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s STEM Academy Ignite

Location: Johns Hopkins University South Campus, Laurel, MD

Cost: $39/course

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact numbers not specified

Dates: Session A: September 15 – October 20 | Session B: October 27 – December 8; sessions scheduled once per week.

Application deadline: Returning student registration window: August 13 – 16 | New student registration: August 15 – 25

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8; applicants from Maryland are prioritized, but all students able to attend in person are eligible.

STEM Academy Ignite brings middle school students to JHU’s campus for weekly classes in the fall focused on advanced academic training and innovative problem-solving skills through project-based learning. You will choose from various hands-on courses, with options typically including programming a game or animation in Scratch, developing hardware like motors and sensors, and investigating a mock crime scene through forensic science techniques. During the course, you will learn how to use specialized STEM concepts to develop real-world designs. The program also offers opportunities to build STEM skills.

6. University of Maryland, Baltimore CURE Scholars Program

Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Not specified; runs year-round beginning in the late fall

Application deadline: September 22

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 10 who are residents of West Baltimore; middle school applicants must attend Franklin Square Elementary and Middle School, Green Street Academy, or Southwest Baltimore Charter School.

Designed for Baltimore-area middle schoolers, UMB’s CURE Scholars Program is a science enrichment program that provides hands-on learning experiences across STEM disciplines. Here, you will explore the fields of food science, anatomy, and coding/robotics through after-school and weekend research-focused and other hands-on activities. You will engage in assignments like evaluating the impact of diseases on specific organs, collaboratively designing a robot, and learning how nutrition affects health on a larger scale. During the summer component, you will learn from professional scientists and UMB professors and receive guidance on planning a career in STEM. You will continue engaging in the program throughout high school, as the program offers long-term enrichment to prepare you for college and beyond. 

7. Northwestern Center for Talent Development Science Courses 

Location: Virtual or on campus at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Cost: Varies by course and format

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Six to nine-week sessions offered in the fall, spring, and summer; dates vary

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students from grades 1–12; applicants must meet a specified tier of above-grade-level academic skills based on CTD assessment standards.

Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development is an enrichment program that provides gifted middle school students with opportunities to take advanced courses at the high school level. You can choose from a wide variety of unique science classes, with options ranging from Exploring Genetics to Conceptual Chemistry to Pathophysiology. Based on the course you choose, you may engage in activities like creating computer simulations, modeling evolutionary genetics, conducting at-home chemistry experiments, learning about modern atomic theory, and completing research projects on disease case studies. Honors-level courses in standard science subjects, including chemistry, biology, and physics, are also available.

8. University of North Carolina Charlotte STEM Academy: Engineering Mathematics Program

Location: University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

Cost: $125

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students

Dates: Four or five Saturday sessions and two virtual Thursday sessions in September – November; spring sessions are also available.

Application deadline: Rolling admissions; dates TBA, but registration window typically opens three months before program start date.

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8 with a GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum grade of C in STEM courses

At UNC Charlotte’s Engineering Math Academy, you will explore STEM disciplines and gain research exposure through a series of weekend and after-school sessions. You will focus on two new scientific concepts at each program meeting, exploring topics like the physics of motion, formal logic, and structural engineering. You will supplement your work with research experiments, which range from calculating ideal trajectories for rocket launches to designing catapults and measuring kinetic energy to analyzing water filtration systems. The program offers training to help you prepare for the Science Olympiad. Guest lectures from professional scientists and support for planning a career in STEM are also part of the experience.

9. NJIT Saturday Morning STEM Middle School Sessions 

Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ

Cost: $399

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: October 18 – November 19

Application deadline: October 6

Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 8

NJIT offers middle and high school students year-round enrichment opportunities in STEM. Its Saturday STEM sessions cover topics like robotics, computer science, and engineering. Depending on your grade level, you will practice building and programming your own robot, learn how to code, or explore fields like mechanical, biomedical, electrical, and materials engineering. Each session blends instruction with challenges and projects to help you apply the concepts you learn. The sessions are also designed to help you build teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills while you participate in collaborative assignments. 

10. American Museum of Natural History’s Science Alliance: Middle School Program 

Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY

Cost: $1,000; tuition assistance available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Courses available in the fall, winter, and spring; classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school + Saturdays

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8

The American Museum of Natural History offers two-month science enrichment programs for middle school students featuring off-site field trips, hands-on work, and opportunities for behind-the-scenes learning using Museum resources. You can choose from various tracks. For instance, if you choose the Animal Behavior track, you will engage in field work focusing on local and captive animals, analyze migration patterns, and study behavior like sourcing food and avoiding predators. Another option is Conservation in the 21st Century, which focuses on environmental protection and involves activities like analyzing bugs in Central Park’s soil, running experiments on microbes, and designing strategies for environmental conservation. In the Dinos to Birds track, you will learn about evolution by exploring the Museum’s fossil collection, visiting the Queens Zoo, and exploring careers in paleontology. As courses meet once weekly, you can enroll in multiple programs if you would like to explore additional topics.

11. Florida Gulf Coast University GEMS Program

Location: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Half-day events throughout the year, including in the September–November period

Application deadline: Open until full; registrations open about a month before the event

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8 in and around Fort Myers

Florida Gulf Coast University’s Growing in Engineering, Math, and Science (GEMS) program is a hands-on, in-person opportunity for middle school students to dive into STEM fields. Here, you will explore STEM while engaging in activities led by university students and faculty. As a participant, you will participate in two activities within STEM fields such as bioengineering, chemistry, or forensics. You will also connect with FGCU STEM majors and faculty during the program. The experience can help you explore future academic paths and familiarize yourself with the university environment.

12. Harvard University edX Science Courses

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free; assignment grading and certificate of completion available for a fee

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Self-paced courses; overall time commitment varies from course to course

Application deadline: None

Eligibility: Open to all

Harvard offers free online science courses to learners of all ages. Here, you will explore different topics in STEM through asynchronous lectures and coursework. You can choose from over 100 courses across disciplines, including options in science, such as Introduction to Computer Science, Fundamentals of Neuroscience, and Food Fermentation: The Science of Cooking with Microbes. Each course offers a combination of recorded lectures, assignments, readings, and at-home activities. As a participant, you will add to your classroom knowledge and explore advanced scientific fields through curricula developed by Harvard professors.

13. Yale Open Courses

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Self-paced courses; overall time commitment varies from course to course

Application deadline: None

Eligibility: Open to all

Yale offers a variety of free online courses designed and taught by university professors, providing science enrichment opportunities in an asynchronous format. Current options in science include Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior, Introduction to Psychology, and Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering, each covering core scientific concepts. All courses offer a series of lectures conducted by Yale professors along with supplementary readings, problem sets, and exams. You can find other science courses on Yale’s Coursera page. 

14. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Online Courses 

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies by course and session length

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Year-round courses, including fall options that start in September

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 11; specific requirements vary by course.

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth provides science enrichment programs for middle school students with above-grade-level academic skills through advanced online courses. You can choose from specialized courses across computer science, applied math, biology, and physics, such as Coding and Creating With Arduino®, Game Theory and Strategy, Predicting Pandemics, and The Physics of Sports. While the exact coursework will vary based on your chosen course, each option typically features a combination of lectures, at-home activities and assignments, research projects, and in-class discussions. While most courses are designed for enrichment, some courses, like Honors Algebra II, are graded and align with middle school and high school curricula.

15. UT Dallas Biology Camps 

Location: Virtual

Cost: $200

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Saturday sessions from October to December

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Middle and high school students

UT Dallas’s Biology Camps offer middle schoolers opportunities to explore topics in biology through weekend classes. You will attend sessions led by AP experts from UT Dallas’ Department of Biological Sciences, focusing on concepts from AP Biology and advanced topics not covered in standard middle school curricula. The program combines virtual lectures, problem-solving practice, and collaborative activities. The experience can help you prepare for high school science coursework.

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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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