9 Internships for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
Middle school is an exciting time to start discovering your passions and interests, and the perfect opportunity to begin thinking about how those interests might translate into future career paths. While academic learning is important, internships for middle school students or programs that include a work-learn component can be even more valuable as they give you real-world exposure and hands-on experience. These types of programs not only help you explore potential careers but also teach you transferable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication.
With so many options available, it’s important to consider what excites you most and look for opportunities that align with your interests, whether it’s science, technology, engineering, or the arts. The right program can give you the insight and confidence to make informed decisions about your future. Here is our pick of 9 internships for middle school students to help you get started!
The Homewood Science Center's Ecology Internship offers middle school students an opportunity to dive into the world of conservation and ecology while gaining practical experience in scientific research and community leadership. For 5 Saturdays in the summer, you will engage in a student-led project focused on supporting the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve. This internship is designed to align with school standards, helping you build your knowledge of ecosystems and environmental science through actual fieldwork. You will participate in investigations and explore key concepts in conservation ecology, data collection, and scientific analysis. A highlight of the internship is the opportunity to take on a leadership role, culminating in public engagement at the Walk Walton Event, where you will present your findings to the community.
Location: Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve
Cost/Stipend: None
Internship dates: Saturdays for 5 weeks
Application deadline: September 13
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp (DDC) engages middle school students in the field of public health while working on real-world issues related to disease prevention and control. Held at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, this academic day camp exposes you to a wide range of topics, from infectious disease and epidemiology to emergency preparedness and global health. Throughout the camp, you will participate in interactive projects on data analysis, disease surveillance, and public health interventions, helping you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You’ll collaborate with fellow participants to tackle current public health challenges and learn about the science behind disease outbreaks and prevention. Although not strictly an internship for middle school students, this camp is designed to be fast-paced and academically rigorous, so you’ll need to fully immerse yourself in the experience and be ready for a challenge.
Location: David J. Sencer CDC Museum, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Internship dates: June 23-27 and July 21-25
Application deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors at least 16 years old on the first day of the camp are eligible.
If you're passionate about subjects such as law, health sciences, business, or the arts, CCL provides a unique opportunity to gain early exposure and insight into these fields while also building a strong foundation for your academic future. In this unique internship for middle school students, you’ll engage in college-level lectures and workshops led by NYU faculty in fields like neuroscience, philosophy, law, and business. During the summer, the program begins with the Exploratory Stage, where participants are introduced to college-level subjects and career options through hands-on experiences. As you advance, you’ll enter the Immersive Stage, where you’ll delve deeper into your chosen area of interest, taking college courses and gaining real-world experience through internships and career exploration. CCL is a six-year program that offers mentorship and advice that will help you develop crucial skills for college and beyond.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Current 7th or 8th grade students enrolled at a New York City public school are eligible to apply.
SoSC engages middle school students in an immersive experience in STEM that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. As a participant in this internship for middle school students (almost!), you'll dive deep into concepts like microcontrollers, sensors, electronics, and coding while applying these ideas to real-world challenges. Working in teams, you'll develop creative solutions for making cities more sustainable, efficient, and safer. SoSC is committed to nurturing well-rounded, innovative thinkers who can blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on problem-solving. As part of the program, you'll also engage in 'Irondale,' a unique initiative that uses improv techniques to enhance your communication and public speaking skills, preparing you to present your ideas confidently. Whether you're interested in engineering, environmental science, or technology, SoSC equips you with the skills and knowledge to explore potential STEM careers while working on future-forward projects.
Location: Brooklyn-based Community school sites in District 17 and District 22
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program dates: July 7 - August 8
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: NYC residents age 12 to 14
NYU Tandon School of Engineering SONYC is a hands-on introduction to the science of sound and noise pollution, one of the biggest environmental challenges facing urban areas like New York City. As part of the program, you will explore how sound travels and how noise affects public health, particularly in bustling cities. You'll get to study sound waves, sample sounds from local communities, and build devices that monitor and create sound. The program focuses on STEM concepts such as engineering, physical sciences, and computer science, teaching you how microcontrollers, sensors, and electronics work together to address real-world issues like noise pollution. Throughout the program, you'll develop practical skills in coding and circuitry while working on projects that tackle sound-related problems. At the end of the program, you will present your own smart city technology solution at an expo, showcasing your creativity and knowledge. Additionally, Irondale is also offered as part of SONYC.
Location: Brooklyn-based Community school sites in District 17 and District 22
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program dates: July 8 - August 1
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: NYC residents age 12 to 14
6. dynaMIT
dynaMIT, a free summer program at MIT, is a great opportunity for middle school students from low-income families the chance to explore science and engineering through hands-on activities. The program focuses on subjects like electromagnetism, programming, and forensics, where you will work closely with MIT undergraduate and graduate students as mentors. They will guide you through exciting experiments and challenges, helping you develop basic programming and coding skills. At the end of the week, you’ll present a capstone project that showcases what you’ve learned and created. While the program is non-residential and requires students to arrange their own lodging, the focus on mentorship and skill-building makes it a valuable opportunity to dive into the world of science and engineering. If you want to gain hands-on experience in STEM and are struggling to find the right internship for middle school students, dynaMIT can be an ideal starting point for your STEM journey.
Location: MIT campus
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program dates: August 11-15; August 18-22
Application deadline: February 23
Eligibility: Rising 6th-9th grade students can apply.
7. Penn GEMS
If you're a middle school student in the Philadelphia area with an interest in engineering, the Penn GEMS: Engineering, Math, and Science Camp is your ideal opportunity to delve into this exciting field. During this week-long, hands-on day camp, you'll dive into topics like bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, and computing. You'll tackle real-world challenges and work on projects alongside other campers while learning directly from Penn students and mentors. This experience will help you see how engineering impacts everyday life and encourage you to continue studying subjects like math, science, and technology. With a focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and building confidence, Penn GEMS also provides a chance to develop skills that will help you in future academic and career pursuits.
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus
Cost: $650
Program dates: June 23- June 27
Application deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-9 who reside within a 60-mile radius of Penn’s campus and are interested in math, science, or engineering and have a minimum B average are eligible.
UNH Tech Camp is a dynamic program designed for middle school students interested in diving into STEM subjects through practical, collaborative activities. Whether you're new to STEM or have some experience, this camp invites students to dive into a wide range of topics, from robotics and coding to regenerative medicine and biofabrication. As part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, you'll have access to cutting-edge facilities and advanced technology, working alongside experienced faculty. The camp focuses on creative thinking, problem-solving, and team collaboration, making STEM concepts come to life in practical ways. Special projects like those focused on biofabrication are offered as part of the NH CREATES initiative, helping you get involved in real-world applications of STEM. This inclusive program is open to students with varying levels of experience, and scholarship funding is available for those who need it.
Location: University of New Hampshire Durham campus
Cost: $700 per week (day students); $1,350 per week (residential students). Free (sponsored) programs are available.
Program dates: July 7-25
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Open to students grade 5 to 12 (varied by programs)
APOGEE: Anything is Possible for Girls in Electrical Engineering is a 5-day camp designed specifically for girls to explore the world of electrical engineering. In this camp, you'll get to dive into the technologies that shape our daily lives, such as electronics and signals, and learn from female engineers and students who will guide you along the way. Whether you're new to the field or have some experience, this camp offers something for everyone, with beginner-friendly activities as well as more advanced projects for returning students. You'll have the chance to work on DIY projects, becoming a "maker" and gaining practical skills in building and experimenting. Through hands-on experiments and interactive learning, you'll develop a deeper understanding of how electrical engineering impacts the world around you.
Location: Penn State University Park
Cost: $300
Program dates: July 22 - 26 (tentative, based on last year’s program)
Application deadline: June (tentative)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-12 are eligible.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
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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