15 Free STEM Summer Camps for Middle School Students

If you are a middle school student interested in science, a summer camp can be an accessible opportunity for you to explore. STEM camps during the summer allow you to work on practical projects, helping you build your problem-solving and teamwork skills and establish valuable connections with mentors and peers. You might design a robot, conduct experiments, or explore how coding and engineering shape the world around you.

As pre-college/paid STEM summer programs can be expensive, a free STEM summer camp can make these opportunities accessible to all. These camps are often supported by universities, nonprofits, and tech organizations and allow you to focus on learning and developing during the camp without any financial burden. Whether you’re interested in computer science, robotics, or environmental science, free STEM camps let you learn, experiment, and discover your potential without worrying about cost.

In this blog, you’ll find 15 of the free STEM summer camps for middle school students, along with a few programs providing financial aid for qualifying families.

15 Free STEM Summer Camps for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere Junior Explorers Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Full financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; 1:1 Mentorship

Dates: Multiple cohorts on different dates throughout the year

Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines for each cohort

Eligibility: Grades 6–8

Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program offers personalized STEM summer camps for middle school students, with financial aid opportunities available for full or partial coverage. Over the course of 8 weeks, you’ll work one-on-one with a university mentor to develop and execute a personal research project in STEM fields, including Physics & Astrophysics, AI and Data, Biology, Medicine and Public Health, and Environmental Studies. To prepare you to select a research project matching your interests, you’ll begin with broad instruction in your chosen field. You’ll then dive into a specialized field to complete your chosen research project under the mentorship of your instructor. The program is led by mentors from leading research institutions, including Harvard, MIT, Columbia, and Oxford, and is designed to help students develop skills that will support their transition into high school or college.

2. Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp at USC 

Location: USC Main Campus, Los Angeles, CA

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 32 students per year

Dates: July 14 – 25

Application Deadline: May 5

Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th grade students (currently enrolled in grades 5–7); requires a B average in math and science

Hosted by the engineering and defense company Northrop Grumman, USC provides a free STEM summer camp for middle school students interested in exploring careers in engineering. You’ll study and participate in hands-on activities across disciplines like civil, mechanical, aerospace, and electrical engineering. You’ll also take part in projects that involve coding, building circuits, rockets, and engineering robots. The program also offers industry exposure by connecting you with Northrop Grumman staff, providing a chance to learn more about careers in engineering, computer science, and defense.

3. Veritas AI’s Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Cost: Full financial aid available

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small cohorts; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio

Dates: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays during the summer) or 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends)

Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Grades 6–8

Veritas AI’s STEM summer camp for middle schoolers is for students interested in exploring the applications of AI to modern technology. You’ll study AI and machine learning, Python programming, data analysis, neural networks, and more through hands-on coding exercises. Topics you can explore include AI in gaming, healthcare, political science, sports, education, and crime detection, with projects such as building video games, classifying medical images, detecting propaganda, predicting sports outcomes, and creating voice assistants. This online program also includes lectures and collaborative activities, as well as education in AI ethics and advanced topics like image classification. You’ll also get hands-on experience after completing a small-group project focused on an AI application of your choice. As part of the program, you’ll get to join an AI community that connects you with like-minded students who are passionate about artificial intelligence.

4. Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy (DWSA)

Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: July 21 – 25

Application Deadline: Varies; typically in May

Eligibility: Grades 5–12

Named after the founder of New Hampshire’s first school for Black children, the Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy offers free STEM summer camps for middle schoolers. You’ll take part in subject-specific sessions that also integrate education in Black history and contributions of  Black scholars in STEM and academia. Program topic areas include physical and biological sciences, sustainable infrastructure, and microbiology. Students are encouraged to return for the following summers, making them eligible for more advanced courses alongside high school students. You’ll also participate in activities like designing bridges and dams, learning water filtration and purification techniques, designing sensors, and programming microcontrollers. 

5. SigmaCamp 

Location: Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center, Sharon, CT

Cost: Full scholarships available for qualifying families; financial aid offered otherwise

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Dates: August 2 – 9

Application Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: Middle and high school students aged 12–16

The week-long SigmaCamp gives you an intensive, multidisciplinary exploration of advanced STEM topics under instruction from scientists and faculty from schools like MIT, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and others. You will study across disciplines, including math, computer science, chemistry, theoretical and experimental physics, biology, and engineering through daily Semilabs, which combine seminars and labs in one and a half hour sessions in both the morning and afternoon. Each day also features a lecture series or guest lecture on an advanced STEM topic. In the evenings, you can choose from a variety of hands-on workshops such as building rockets, glass blowing, and growing silicate gardens, along with the Sigma Tournament, a team-based problem-solving challenge. You will also have the opportunity to lead a workshop in the Junior Instructor Challenge or share your passion in the Experiment of the Day, thus helping you gain practical experience, fresh perspectives on STEM disciplines, and confidence in presenting to your peers.

6. Air Force Association (AFA) CyberCamps

Location: 100+ U.S. locations; see here for current options (may vary yearly).

Cost: Free at select locations; locations with fees are typically low

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open registration; cohort size varies by location

Dates: Multiple 5-day sessions from early June to mid-August

Application Deadline: Varies by location

Eligibility: No set age requirement; middle and high school students recommended

The Air Force Association sponsors free STEM summer camps for middle school students at over 100 sites across the country. Focused on cybersecurity and computer science, you’ll learn core skills in computer secure configurations and system hardening through educational training and hands-on coding activities in both Windows and Linux operating systems. Depending on your knowledge of computer science and cybersecurity, you can enroll in either Beginner or Advanced sessions; many program dates are also structured so that you have the option to attend both the Beginner and Advanced camps in the same summer. The camp concludes with a final team-based competition that simulates real-world cybersecurity challenges.

7. Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers

Location: Multiple college campuses across the U.S.; remote and hybrid options available

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified

Dates: 3–4 week session depending on host institution; continuing educational programming offered during the academic year

Application Deadline: Varies by host institution; check local site for details

Eligibility: Open to all middle schoolers; priority given to students from under-resourced schools

Verizon partners with colleges and universities across the country to sponsor free STEM summer camps for middle school students to increase underrepresented and under-resourced student participation in STEM. The program focuses on immersive learning, with a curriculum including activities and education in augmented reality, 3D printing, robotics, and app development. You’ll receive training in social entrepreneurship to learn about career development, including launching your own business. You’ll also have access to continued academic opportunities during the school year, including two STEM workshops, campus tours, and lab field trips. 

8. MIT dynaMIT 

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; 40 students per session

Dates: August 11–15 (Rising 6–7 graders) | August 18–22 (Rising 8–9 graders)

Application Deadline: Not specified; typically between March and April

Eligibility: Massachusetts students entering grades 6–9; admissions focus on students from under-resourced backgrounds with limited access to STEM programs

The dynaMIT program provides local students, who may not otherwise have access to STEM summer opportunities, with a free week-long STEM experience on MIT’s campus. The program is run and taught by MIT student mentors, who work throughout the academic year to design an interactive curriculum for younger students. You’ll take part in science experiments, educational sessions across student mentors’ areas of expertise, and hands-on activities to explore the varied fields of STEM offered at MIT and other universities. You’ll also get to work on a capstone project, with daily activities focused on one STEM concept like electromagnetism, polymers, or forensics. Your days will include workshops, project work, and time to connect with peers and mentors while experiencing the MIT campus.  

9.  Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective

Dates: Summer: July 28 – August 8 | Academic Year: Saturdays from November 9 – May 17

Application Deadline: Summer: April 15 | Academic Year: September 15

Eligibility: NYC-area students in grades 7–12 who are NY State residents or U.S. permanent residents; economically disadvantaged and/or from underrepresented groups

Columbia’s S-PREP program, hosted by the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, encourages students to explore college pathways and future careers in STEM and healthcare fields. You’ll attend courses in subjects such as biochemistry, psychology, anatomy, and advanced mathematics, preparing for high school-level coursework alongside current high school students. Other opportunities include academic counseling services, field trips, and college tours. If you’re unable to attend the summer session or want to continue your S-PREP experience, Columbia also offers an Academic Year Session, providing Saturday classes in SAT prep, workshops on STEM careers, and additional STEM coursework. For further academic development, S-PREP students are encouraged to apply to Columbia’s high school research programs in biomedical neuroscience (BRAINYAC) and cancer research (YES in THE HEIGHTS). 

10. Girls in Engineering at UC Berkeley 

Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Cost: Full financial aid available for students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds; families receiving CalWORKS, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal automatically qualify

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; 30 students per session, working in 5-person teams

Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 11 | Session 2: July 14 – 18

Application Deadline: March 28

Eligibility: Grades 6–8 San Francisco Bay Area students; focuses on girls and gender-diverse students, with priority for underrepresented or disadvantaged applicants

The NSF-funded Girls in Engineering STEM summer camp for middle school students encourages female, gender minority, and underrepresented students to pursue their goals in engineering. You’ll study engineering through interactive learning experiences, like building prosthetic hands, learning to operate generators, and engineering-focused programming. Additionally,  you’ll go on field trips to sites like Pixar and the Lawrence Hall of Science, where you can explore careers in engineering and attend presentations from women professionals. This program also helps you develop skills like giving presentations, delivering elevator pitches, and building leadership skills.

11. NYU College & Career Lab

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; size not specified

Dates: July 7 – August 1 (CCL is a six-year program with a multi-week summer session and school-year Practice Labs)

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th graders at NYC public schools; students from all backgrounds may apply, with preference for economically disadvantaged, first-generation college students, and students of color

The College & Career Lab (CCL) at NYU is a free, six-year initiative created for New York City public school students. It begins with the Exploratory Stage,  a multi-week summer session where you’ll participate in hands-on learning experiences at NYU’s School of Engineering, Global Public Health, and Health Sciences. As a comprehensive academic program, you’ll also broaden your field of knowledge through exposure to subjects in Law, Business, and Arts. After completing the Exploratory Stage, you’ll get to specialize in your preferred STEM field throughout high school with college-level courses, internships, mentorship, and networking opportunities to further prepare you for college and plan for your career.     

12. Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM) Summer Away

Location: Hosted at 3 sites in New York state (NYC and Upstate) and Southern California (LA)

Cost: Free (including lodging, transportation, and food)

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; requires strong math abilities; 40 students per site

Dates: 3 weeks over the summer

Application Deadline: March 15

Eligibility: Middle school students; focus on 7th graders with strong math skills and first-generation college backgrounds; for 8th graders, focus on high school selection and completing Algebra 1

Geared towards under-resourced students with a strong talent in math, BEAM students spend three weeks in the summer after 7th grade studying on a college campus. You’ll complete 7 hours of training in proof-based mathematics taught by university professors and other top educators, with topic areas including number theory, combinatorics, and graph theory. You’ll also attend lectures from professional mathematicians, learning about more specialized topics in the field as well as future career paths after college. In addition to classroom learning, you may attend site visits and participate in presentations, gaining exposure to real-world applications of math.  BEAM also provides extended support for up to 10 years after participation, including the high school Pathway Program, which helps students prepare for college through application advising, enrichment courses, career days, internships, and continued support throughout college.

13. Physics Inside Out at Purdue University College of Science

Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited enrollment; small cohort size

Dates: June 9 – 13

Application Deadline: April 17

Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th grade students; non-residential program, so students should live in or near West Lafayette

The Physics Inside Out program offers a multidisciplinary look at physics under the guidance of Purdue faculty and researchers. You’ll study areas including astrophysics and astronomy, physics, nanotechnology, and the historical development of modern physics through hands-on labs and activities. You will also participate in campus visits to facilities such as  Purdue’s PRIME Lab particle accelerator and the campus’ PUR1 nuclear reactor to see scientific work in action. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and graduate researchers, attend presentations about their paths in science, and receive guidance on developing and achieving your academic goals. Each day combines experiments, workshops, and discussions, allowing you to apply concepts and engage with peers. This approach gives you practical experience, exposure to research, and insight into potential future coursework and careers. 

14. Stanford seeME

Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited enrollment; 50–60 students

Dates: May 17

Application Deadline: Rolling registration; check website for updates

Eligibility: Current middle and high school students in the Bay Area; students from underserved schools particularly encouraged to apply

Stanford’s seeME program provides a free STEM summer camp for middle school students interested in exploring the field of Mechanical Engineering. You’ll choose to attend two interactive workshops out of six available options, learning topics like building autonomous vehicles, biomechanics of flight, computational mathematics, and biomedicine.  Under the mentorship of current Stanford graduate students, you’ll also learn paths towards high-level education and careers in the field. Alongside hands-on activities, you’ll gain perspective on what it means to study mechanical engineering and how you might pursue further opportunities in STEM. 

15. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 12 students per summer session

Dates: Summer Program: July 7 – 25 | Fall Semester Meetings (weekly commitment): August 27 – December 10

Application Deadline: March 20

Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 6 or 7 from low-income families (typically household incomes under $90,000, average around $55,000)

The Stanford Middle School Scholars program invites high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to explore academic opportunities beyond what’s typically offered in their school. Each year, the program includes at least one STEM-specific course, recently focusing on math and data science, along with that you’ll take two additional courses in other fields. Since the program is affiliated with Stanford Online High School, it can serve as a pathway if you choose to apply to Stanford OHS or any other schools.  After the summer program ends, you’ll participate in weekly meetings throughout the fall focused on high school preparation, academic writing, advanced math coursework, and leadership 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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper. 

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