15 Fall Science Research Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 15 minutes ago
- 9 min read
If science interests you and you’re in middle school, this fall can be a good time to try a research program. These programs give you a chance to do real experiments and see how science works beyond your regular classroom. You might test water quality, study plants, look at how light affects growth, or even try simple chemistry projects.Â
Fall programs also fit easily into your schedule since they usually take place after school or on weekends. You can pick a topic that really catches your attention, like biology, chemistry, or environmental science, and work on small projects without stepping away from your regular studies.Â
Joining a research program this early can help you figure out what kind of science you might want to study later in high school or even college. It’s a good way to start learning how research is done while keeping your schoolwork on track.Â
To help you get started, here are 15 fall science research programs for middle school students!
15 Fall Science Research Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies, financial aid available
Dates: Varies by the cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online mentorship-based research experience tailored for middle school students who want to work on an academic project in a field that they’re interested in. You’ll work closely with mentors (often affiliated with prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford) who guide you with project selection, research techniques, and project development process. Throughout the program, you learn to conduct independent investigations, practice logical and critical thinking, and do experiments. The program terminates with a final project. The program balances academic challenge with scheduling flexibility, featuring multiple application rounds during the year.
Location: American Museum of Natural History, New York, NY
Cost: $1,000 per course; financial aid may be availableÂ
Dates: October 7 – December 13 (exact dates vary by course; sessions typically meet once per week after school or on Saturdays)
Application Deadline: Not specified; early registration strongly recommended due to limited space
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 interested in science and museum-based learning
Science Alliance is a fall program that gives students the chance to explore advanced topics in anthropology, astrophysics, conservation science, Earth science, and evolutionary biology. You attend sessions on Tuesday or Thursday evenings or Saturday mornings, depending on your schedule. Each class connects you with museum scientists through hands-on experiments, lab work, and field sampling. Whether you're analyzing soil samples, studying fossils, or observing celestial patterns, the program emphasizes active learning and real scientific methods.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Exact fee varies by cohort. Financial aid is availableÂ
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; early application recommended to secure preferred cohort
Program Dates: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 interested in artificial intelligence, coding, and project-based learning
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI introduces middle school students to the core concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning through a structured, 25-hour virtual curriculum. You’ll start with Python fundamentals and progress through key topics such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and the ethical dimensions of AI. Learning takes place through a mix of lectures and small-group sessions, with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio that ensures personalized guidance. Past participants have built projects like a music genre classifier and an algorithm that recommends educational resources based on user-defined inputs.
Location: College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Cost/Stipend: $125 per session; fee-based enrichment program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Each course is capped at 18 students for small-group instruction
Dates: Fall and Spring sessions offered; Dates vary by course
Application Deadline: Rolling until filledÂ
Eligibility: Open to students in grades K–12; middle school students should check individual course descriptions to confirm eligibility
The Saturday Enrichment Program at William & Mary offers middle school students a chance to explore science and math beyond the classroom. With a focus on inquiry-based learning, the program encourages students to ask questions, test ideas, and think critically across a wide range of scientific subjects. Courses are available for grades 6 through 8, and the small class sizes ensure that each student receives close attention from instructors. You’ll work on applying process skills specific to different fields of inquiry, learning how scientists and mathematicians approach problems and develop solutions.
Location: John R. Post Learning Center, Reading, PA
Cost: $700 per course; fee-based academic enrichment program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small cohort sizes allow for individualized mentorship; early registration recommended
Dates: September 16 – December 11 (Fall semester)
Application Deadline: Not specifiedÂ
Eligibility: Open to middle school students (typically grades 6–8)
The Alvernia University After-School Student Research Program gives you the chance to design and lead your own science or engineering project with expert guidance. You’ll spend about four hours each week, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, working alongside faculty and mentors who help shape your ideas into real research. You choose the topic, and the program provides the structure and support to take it seriously. That includes help with science fair preparation, presentation coaching, and even guidance on patent or publication pathways if your work qualifies. You’ll have access to high-tech equipment and professional-grade tools used in research labs and creative industries.Â
Location: The CCNY STEM Institute, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive selection; cohort sizes are limited to ensure small-group instruction
Dates: September 13 – December 20; courses typically meet once or twice per week after school or on weekends
Application Deadline: August 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 with a strong interest in STEM
The CCNY STEM Institute Fall Courses offer students a chance to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning during the school year. You can choose from after-school or Saturday classes in subjects like robotics, environmental science, and engineering, all taught by experienced STEM faculty. Each course involves working on real projects using tools and techniques from professional research and industry. Some classes also connect you to faculty labs or STEM networks across the city, giving you access to broader opportunities and mentorship.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 25 students per course
Dates: September – November; courses meet once per week in the evening
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; typically South Carolina residents
The SPARK! Program from the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is an engaging online opportunity for students to explore STEAM subjects in a fun and interactive way. Through live video classes, you’ll participate in experiments you can do at home while learning from older students who are passionate about science. Each term features a new set of topics, ranging from robotics and marine biology to genetics and environmental science. You’ll also connect with GSSM residential students who serve as mentors, offering guidance and sharing their own experiences in science learning. You can find the full list of classes available here.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Not publicly specified; recent cycles suggest free participationÂ
Dates: Open throughout the year; Fall sessions typically run September – November
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended due to limited space
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
MIT’s STEM program introduces beginners to science and engineering through creative, hands-on projects. You’ll build things like circuits and musical instruments using tools such as Scratch and the Makey Makey board, learning how coding and design come together to solve real problems. Each mini-course helps you understand how scientists and engineers think, create, and test ideas. You’ll get to meet professionals in the field and see how science connects to everyday life. The program runs throughout the year, with fall sessions available, and is designed to make learning fun and accessible for students just starting out.
Location: UNC Charlotte, NC
Cost: $125 per student
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 25 students per cohort
Dates: August 23 – December 11; includes five on-campus Saturdays and two virtual Thursday evening sessions
Application Deadline: July 31; early registration recommended due to limited space
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 interested in STEM
UNC Charlotte’s STEM Saturday Academy is a weekend enrichment program designed for middle school students who want to strengthen their science and math skills in a university setting. You’ll take part in engaging lessons, collaborative projects, and problem-solving activities that make STEM learning both fun and meaningful. The program blends in-person and virtual sessions, giving you flexibility while still offering hands-on experiences. You’ll work with peers on science challenges, prepare for science olympiad competitions, and explore new ideas with guidance from university instructors.
Location: South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, Hartsville, SC
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 20 students per cohort
Dates: September 22 – November 10; weekly evening sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling until slots are filledÂ
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8, typically South Carolina residents
The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics ENGAGE Program offers an in-person experience that introduces students to STEM through hands-on robotics and coding. Held over several consecutive Mondays, this program is designed to build interest in science and technology while strengthening your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. You’ll explore how robots function and use Scratch to code instructions that bring them to life. Each session focuses on applying technology to real-world challenges, with guidance from mentors who encourage creativity and experimentation.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $575 per student
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: August 10 – November 19
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–8; some courses require above-grade-level test scores or teacher recommendations.
The Northwestern University Center for Talent Development Online Enrichment Course offers a flexible and engaging way for students to deepen their interest in STEM. You can choose from a range of subjects such as genetics, environmental science, robotics, or engineering, each designed to build your understanding of how scientific and technical problems are solved. Courses are taught by experienced instructors and include group discussions, collaborative projects, and opportunities to apply what you learn in creative ways. The format allows you to work at your own pace, making it easier to balance with your school schedule.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Depends on the course. Some programs are free; others charge a nominal fee (typically $15–$30 per session or $100–$200 per multi-week course)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very small class sizes, typically 2–5 students per group
Dates: Courses available September through November; sessions offered on weekday evenings and weekends
Application Deadline: Varies by course; registration open until limited slots are filled
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Create & Learn offers a welcoming entry point into STEM for middle school students through live, virtual classes that focus on creativity and exploration. You can choose from topics like robotics, coding, data science, and artificial intelligence, all taught in small, interactive groups that encourage questions and idea-sharing. Each class is designed for beginners, so no prior experience is needed. With guidance from experienced instructors, you’ll build projects like games, interactive stories, or your own website using tools that make learning both fun and practical.
Location: Nationwide (in-person teams at schools, libraries, or community centers)
Cost: $100–$200 per team (split among 2–7 students); financial aid available via national office
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Team size is limited to 2–7 students. Participation is open to all eligible teams that register, though local tournaments may cap the number of teams
Dates: Teams meet and work on creative STEM challenges from August to January; regional tournaments follow
Application Deadline: Teams generally form in August and register before local tournament deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8.Â
Destination Imagination STEM and Innovation Teams are for students who like building things and solving problems with friends. You join a small team of two to seven people and work together on science and engineering challenges. In the fall, your team creates something interesting like a device, a structure, or a science demonstration to show at local events. You can work on areas like physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, mechanical design, storytelling, or even art and technology mixed together. The challenges are open-ended, so your team can come up with your own ideas and solutions. You get help from adult coaches and lots of time to test and improve your project.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective admission; cohort sizes vary but teams are typically small (3–6 students per challenge).Â
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: July 8
Eligibility: Students aged 13–17 from around the world
The Junior Academy from the New York Academy of Sciences is a global STEM program where students work on real science and technology challenges. You join online teams with students from different countries and solve problems using research, design thinking, and data analysis. Experienced mentors guide you through each step. The challenges are created by top companies, so you learn skills that are used in real jobs. You might work on topics like health, climate, engineering, or artificial intelligence. You also get to meet students who love science and share ideas with them. At the end, your team submits a final solution. You receive a certificate and a free Young Membership to the New York Academy of Sciences.Â
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.
Image Source - Northwestern University logo