10 Learning Activities for Middle Schoolers
- Lydia Park
- Oct 3
- 8 min read
Investing time in impactful learning activities for middle school students offers a remarkable return, providing early exposure to college-level academics and essential life skills. These experiences can also offer valuable industry insights and connections, all without requiring a significant financial outlay. For students eager to explore advanced learning, an online summer program presents an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into subjects of interest. We've curated a list of top learning activities for middle schoolers that meet stringent criteria. Our selections prioritize rigor, strong networking possibilities, full funding, and highly selective admission processes, often hosted by prestigious organizations. These are the kinds of opportunities that can truly shape a young scholar's future academic and professional journey.
10 Learning Activities for Middle Schoolers
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: November 16 (Winter Cohort)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an intensive and highly selective research program providing middle school students the chance to undertake advanced research. The program provides 1-on-1 guidance from PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, Columbia, and MIT. You are encouraged to pick your subject of interest, which can range anywhere from artificial intelligence to history. Over 8 weeks, this virtual program lets you dive deep into your chosen subject, build high-standard research skills, and complete your own project by the end. Beyond gaining specialized knowledge, you also build the confidence to think critically, innovate, and approach both theoretical and practical academic endeavors with independence.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 8 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 29
Eligibility: Applicants must live in New York City and be between the ages of 12 and 14 at the start of the program. Students should have a strong academic record and a demonstrated interest in STEM.
In the Science of Smart Cities program, you will explore topics in engineering, computer science, and technology to make cities more sustainable, efficient, and safer. Working in teams, you will design projects using your new knowledge of electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, and sensors. This hands-on program allows you to apply fundamental knowledge and STEM-based skills to solve real-world challenges. You will develop projects and demonstrations in a materials-rich environment, culminating in a final presentation. Additionally, you will participate in 'Irondale,' a unique mandatory program led by theater teaching artists who use improv to boost your communication and public speaking skills.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates:
Weekend Track: 25 hours over 10 weekends
Summer Track: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)
Application Deadline: November 16 (Winter Cohort); other sessions may be offered throughout the year
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to core concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and group collaboration. Over the course of 25 hours, you’ll learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. The program includes small-group mentoring (5:1 ratio), ensuring personalized guidance as you move through increasingly advanced topics, including neural networks and AI ethics. A major component is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to a real-world challenge and present your findings. While the environment is designed for beginners, the curriculum pushes you to think critically about how AI works and how it should be used.
Location: Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or William & Mary
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not listed
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout July
Application Deadline: December 1 – February 1
Eligibility: Current 8th or 9th grade students at a Virginia school; must be a Virginia resident and U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident; minimum GPA 2.7; previous BLAST participants are not eligible
In the BLAST program, you will spend three immersive days during the summer exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). You will experience college life by staying in a dormitory at one of five prestigious Virginia universities. This free program is designed to ignite your curiosity in STEM, even if you have no prior experience. You will participate in exciting, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and tours led by university faculty and staff. These experiences will give you a deeper understanding of diverse STEM careers and help you discover your interests and potential in these fields.
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Cost/Stipend: $650
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: 36 students
Dates: July 7 – 11 | July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: June 6 for Week 1; June 13 for Week 2
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders. Session 1 (July 7–11) is for rising 6th–8th graders. Session 2 (July 21–25) is for rising 7th–9th graders.
At the Mason Math Odyssey enrichment camp, you will explore beautiful mathematics concepts not typically taught in the K-12 curriculum. Through fun and friendly team competitions, you will build mathematical maturity and hone your problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. You will journey through mathematical history, learning about geometry, topology, number theory, probability, algebra, and mathematical modeling. The daily agenda includes guest lectures from university faculty, hands-on activities, and group projects with Olympiad-style problems. You will interact with faculty and graduate students engaged in active research and get a taste of what mathematical research is like.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA | Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Online: $3,580; Residential: $8,575; Application Fee: $65. Financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Residential: 40 students; Online: 64 students. Admissions are competitive.
Dates: June 16 – July 4 | July 7 – 25 | June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Open to students in 10th or 11th grade at the time of application. Applicants should have experience with mathematical proofs, mastery of high school geometry and algebra, and suggested familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic. Participants turning 18 during the program are only eligible for the online option.
Immerse yourself in advanced mathematics at the Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC), designed for high school students with an exceptional interest in the subject. You will participate in an intensive program of lectures, guided research, and group problem-solving, exploring topics like abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology that go beyond the standard curriculum. Expect a heavy, college-level workload of assignments that will challenge you to deepen your understanding and skills in writing proofs. You will collaborate closely with peers who share your passion, work with instructional assistants from Stanford, and attend guest lectures from professional mathematicians. The program culminates in a final research project which you will present, providing a comprehensive experience in mathematical exploration.
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Voyagers: $2,100 | Navigators: $2,500 – $3,900 | Pathfinders: $4,200
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Voyagers: ~30 students | Navigators & Pathfinders: ~90–120 students
Dates: July 6 – July 18
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Open to students entering 7th–12th grade in Fall 2025.
Voyagers (7th–9th grade): minimum 2.5 GPA
Navigators (10th–12th grade): minimum 3.0 GPA
Pathfinders (10th–12th grade): minimum 3.5 GPA
Dive into a college education with Rowan University's two-week STEAM Academy, a summer program for students entering 7th through 12th grades. You will receive instruction from top university faculty in STEM, and the arts to help you explore interests for college and careers. Depending on your grade level, you can join the hands-on 'Voyagers' program, the early college 'Navigators' track, or the demanding, research-focused 'Pathfinders' track. As a high school student in the Navigators or Pathfinders program, you can earn transferable college credits. You will also participate in workshops on career counseling, test preparation, and leadership development. The Pathfinders track offers a unique opportunity to pursue research with individualized support from a Rowan faculty member, providing a taste of college-level academic success.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not listed
Dates: June 22 – July 27
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–11; no prior experience required
The WASH Summer Research Institute is a six-week virtual program where you can explore advanced topics in STEM completely free of cost. Designed for motivated students, you will choose one of three specialized courses: Introduction to Number Theory, Computational Neuroscience, or Demystifying Deep Learning. Throughout the program, you will meet once a week to learn from WASH mentors and engage with hands-on activities, like building a simple perceptron in Python or encrypting a message using RSA. Your experience culminates in a final capstone project, such as designing a simple encryption scheme, creating a computational model of a neural circuit, or training a deep learning model for a meaningful application. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded peers and gain research skills with no prior experience necessary.
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $500; $200 non-refundable deposit due within 10 days of acceptance. Need-based financial aid available (up to 100% tuition coverage).
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Approximately 20 students per year
Dates: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: Early Decision: February 28 | Regular Decision: July 10
Eligibility: Girls (including young people who identify as girls, gender-nonconforming individuals, and students assigned female at birth) aged 11–14. International students welcome. Strong interest in STEM required; prior coding experience not necessary.
In this intensive, one-week virtual program, you will dive into cutting-edge programming and computational thinking. You will receive a fast-paced introduction to coding in the Wolfram Language through hands-on training, expert lectures, and collaborative projects. You can expect to tackle coding challenges, solve puzzles using algorithms, and work on a host of mini-projects to build your skills and confidence. The camp features specialist lectures on topics like natural language processing and machine learning, and you'll even have the opportunity to meet with Wolfram's founder, Stephen Wolfram, for small-group Q&A sessions. Beyond academics, you can connect with peers who share your interests through social events like video game tournaments and trivia.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Fee for 2026 TBD (was $650 in 2025); limited need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: January 20 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders who live and attend school within 60 miles of Penn’s campus; must have at least a B average; past participants are not eligible to return
At Penn GEMS, you will dive into the world of engineering, math, and science in a hands-on day camp at the University of Pennsylvania. You get to explore exciting fields like bioengineering, robotics, AI, and materials science through engaging, hands-on STEM projects. Guided by Penn students, researchers, and faculty, you will connect with mentors and collaborate with new friends who share your interests. You'll strengthen your skills in teamwork, communication, and critical thinking while discovering if a future in STEM is the right path for you. This program offers a unique chance to design, create, and engineer your future.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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