15 Online Science Courses for Middle School Students
If you're a middle school student who wants to learn about biology, chemistry, physics, or another area of science, an online course can give you extra room to explore topics that your classroom may not have time to cover!
The courses can be quite different from one another. Some focus on biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, or environmental science, while others use broader STEM projects to connect several subjects. Depending on the course, you might work through virtual experiments, analyse data, complete projects, attend live sessions, or learn from instructors who work in the field.
Why should I do an online course in high school?
An online course gives you a flexible way to explore a subject alongside your regular schoolwork. You can revisit difficult concepts, move through lessons at your own pace, and spend more time on topics that genuinely interest you. For students who already know they enjoy science, this can be a useful way to start exploring more advanced ideas.
It can also give you something concrete to build on later. A completed project, research assignment, or new area of scientific knowledge can help you decide which subjects you want to explore more seriously in high school. You'll also start developing academic habits that can make more advanced science courses easier to handle.
To help you find the right opportunity, we've compiled 15 online science courses for middle school students!
15 Online Science Courses for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Program dates: Eight weeks | Timing varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included 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.
Location: Virtual or various locations nationwide
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; students can usually join at the beginning of the school year
Dates: Sessions can be scheduled throughout the school year; clubs typically meet 1–2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–12 of all skill levels (differentiated tracks for grades 3–5 and grades 6–12; dedicated to girls and non-binary youth)
Through Girls Who Code Clubs, you can learn the fundamentals of computer science in a collaborative online environment. Using the Girls Who Code HQ platform, you can participate remotely and engage with coding activities regardless of your location. The program introduces you to key programming concepts such as loops, conditionals, variables, and functions through guided lessons and hands-on exercises. As you progress, you will apply these skills to create a project focused on an issue or topic that interests you. You may also explore areas of computer science such as web development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, depending on the club’s activities. Throughout the program, you will practice working with others, breaking down complex problems, and communicating your ideas effectively.
Location: Online or at UCSD, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies by course (typically $175–$450+ per workshop); full and partial need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically capped at 15–20 students
Application deadline: Rolling
Dates: July 6 – 24
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3–12 (with differentiated workshop tracks for elementary, middle school, and high school)
The Sally Ride Science Academy Summer STEAM Program allows you to study topics across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through virtual courses and workshops. You can examine subjects such as computer science, environmental science, engineering design, and space exploration while completing structured activities and applied projects. The program emphasizes learning through experimentation and problem-solving, giving you opportunities to work with concepts in a practical context. As part of the experience, you may attend sessions featuring professionals from a range of STEAM disciplines, providing insight into different fields of study and career options. If you have an interest in robotics, you can choose courses that introduce programming concepts, robotic systems, and methods for operating and testing robotic devices through online simulations and project work.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Application Deadline: June 14
Dates: June 17 – August 5
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–11 (extending to grade 12 across select tracks)
WASH SRI is a six-week online research program for students in grades 6–12 who identify as female or non-male. During the program, you select a subject area and participate in a structured curriculum focused on a specific academic field. Previous tracks have covered topics such as epidemiology, microbiology, computer science, finance, and quantum physics. Through weekly sessions, you will learn from mentors with academic experience at universities including Princeton, NYU, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. As the program progresses, you will develop an independent or guided research project related to your chosen track. Mentors provide feedback on your work and help you navigate different stages of the research process, from exploring a topic to presenting your findings. At the end of the program, you will share your project during an online presentation event.
Location: Online, via MIT Beaver Works, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact acceptance rate unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Dates: Unspecified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; eligibility varies by track
This online engineering program provides an introduction to robotics, autonomous technologies, and computational problem-solving through a combination of coursework and collaborative projects. As a participant, you will study concepts that underpin robotic systems, including programming, algorithmic thinking, and elements of engineering design. The curriculum is organized around structured learning activities, with online lessons and group assignments forming a central part of the experience. Throughout the course, you will work through technical exercises that emphasize applying concepts to specific engineering challenges. Instruction and mentorship are provided by educators and researchers affiliated with MIT, and the program introduces methods commonly used in engineering and research environments.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, with only 12 students per cohort.
Application Deadline: March 25
Dates: July 6 – 24
Eligibility: Current 6th or 7th-grade students from low-income backgrounds (household income below $90,000) who reside in and attend school in the United States
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program combines a summer academic course with a series of online seminars held during the fall. As a participant, you will engage in virtual classes that cover topics such as analytical writing, mathematics, study strategies, and other academic enrichment subjects. Classes are designed to encourage discussion and active participation, allowing you to work closely with instructors and classmates in a small-group setting. Throughout the program, you will practice organizing and expressing your ideas through written and verbal assignments while developing skills that support future academic success. The fall seminar component extends learning beyond the summer session and introduces topics related to educational planning and high school preparation.
Location: Online through edX
Cost: Free to audit; optional verified certificates range from $149 to $399+ per course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: Self-paced courses offered year-round
Eligibility: Open to all learners; some advanced courses may suggest prior coding knowledge
Through Harvard’s online offerings on edX, you can study foundational topics in computer science, programming, and artificial intelligence at your own pace. Courses such as CS50x introduce core computing concepts, helping you learn how to break down problems, write code, and understand how software is built. As you progress through the coursework, you may work with programming languages including Python and JavaScript while exploring subjects such as algorithms, data structures, web applications, and software design. If you are interested in artificial intelligence, additional courses focus on how computers perform tasks such as pattern recognition, decision-making, and language processing. You will examine topics including machine learning models, search algorithms, neural networks, and natural language processing through lectures, exercises, and coding assignments. Project-based components allow you to apply these concepts to practical problems, giving you experience with the methods used in modern AI systems and software development.
Location: Virtual
Cost: From $2,999
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small-group cohorts averaging 6 students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: July 6 – 31
Eligibility: Students aged 12–14 and 15–18 (depends on cohort). Having basic Python knowledge is suggested but not necessary.
The Berkeley Coding Academy Summer Program introduces you to programming concepts used in data science and artificial intelligence through online instruction and applied coding exercises. Using Python, you will work with common data analysis and machine learning tools while learning how data can be organized, visualized, and interpreted. Coursework may include topics such as data processing, predictive modeling, and introductory machine learning techniques, with assignments completed through coding notebooks and programming projects. Classes are conducted live online, allowing you to follow demonstrations, write code alongside instructors, and receive feedback on your work. You will learn in a small-group setting with students of similar experience levels and have opportunities to collaborate on technical projects. At the conclusion of the program, you will present a final project based on your learning and retain access to course resources for future reference.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition applies; tuition for Nevada residents is waived.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admissions with testing and readiness required; exact rate not specified
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Academic year enrollment for full-time students; some single-course enrollment is also available
Eligibility: Middle and high school students who have at least completed 5th grade, are age 16 or younger at the time of application, U.S. or Canadian residents, and who meet qualifying testing scores
Davidson Academy Online is a virtual educational program that allows you to study a range of academic subjects in an online classroom environment. As a student, you can enroll in courses across disciplines such as mathematics, science, English, history, and world languages, participating in live instruction and discussion-based learning. Course placement is determined by academic readiness, allowing you to engage with material that aligns with your current level of knowledge and skills. In addition to coursework, you can participate in online clubs, extracurricular activities, and community events that connect students with shared interests. By taking part, you will gain experience with advanced academic content while exploring areas of interest and considering future educational opportunities.
Location: Online
Cost: $400 – $600/course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40–80 students/class
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment until classes are full
Dates: Varies based on specific course
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–12
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Online School offers virtual courses for students who want to study mathematics and science beyond a standard middle school curriculum. Depending on your background and interests, you can enroll in introductory courses covering subjects such as physics and chemistry or pursue more advanced programs designed around competition-level problem solving. Courses emphasize understanding underlying concepts and applying them to unfamiliar questions rather than relying primarily on memorization or repetitive practice. Instruction takes place through online classes that encourage active participation, discussion, and collaborative learning. You will regularly analyze problems, explain your reasoning, and engage with classmates as part of the learning process. AoPS also provides self-paced options for students who prefer greater flexibility in how they complete coursework.
Location: Online
Cost: $59.95 per course; the first course, Operational Systems, is free for new users and schools that license EMF
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Rolling admission; students start after completing the aptitude test
Dates: Each course lasts 90 days with flexible scheduling
Eligibility: Students who successfully pass the aptitude test
The Elements of Mathematics Foundations (EMF) program by IMACS introduces you to the logical structure underlying advanced mathematics. You may begin with Operational Systems, an introductory course designed to build foundational reasoning skills and prepare you for more advanced study. From there, the program covers topics such as algebra, geometry, group theory, and topology through structured online lessons that focus on conceptual understanding and problem-solving. The coursework is self-paced, allowing you to progress through material on your own schedule and spend additional time on topics as needed. As you work through the program, you will engage with abstract mathematical ideas and practice applying logical reasoning to a range of problems.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course length and subject area; financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application Deadline: Deadline varies by cohort. The upcoming deadline for Summer courses is June 8
Dates: Offered year-round, with various formats having different registration and start dates.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 who meet CTY eligibility requirements through qualifying test scores (e.g., SCAT, PSAT)
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Online Programs allows you to study academic subjects that go beyond standard school coursework, including areas such as astronomy, computer science, and scientific problem-solving. Depending on the course, you may participate in live online classes or complete lessons at your own pace. Instruction is led by experienced educators, and you may receive feedback on assignments and participate in discussions with other students in the program. The format of the courses varies, so you can choose options that follow a structured schedule or allow more flexibility in pacing. Throughout the program, you will complete readings, assignments, and activities designed to reinforce subject knowledge and academic skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $835 (1 credit); $1,425 (2 credits); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admission; course cohorts are expected to be small
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year
Dates: 6–9 week sessions around the year; dates vary by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students with qualifying test scores or portfolio (check detailed criteria here)
Northwestern CTD's Online Honors Programs let you take on middle school-level coursework that goes well beyond the usual classroom syllabus. Depending on the course, you can study writing, computer programming, mathematics, and other advanced subjects in a small virtual class. You'll work through readings, problem sets, discussions, and projects, with instructors giving feedback as you go. Some courses include scheduled live sessions, while others give you more flexibility around when you complete the work. The small-class setup also means you're regularly interacting with instructors and other students rather than simply clicking through a set of recorded lessons.
Location: DNA Learning Center, Online (On-Demand Virtual Course); in-person locations also available at Long Island, New York City, Westchester, and New Jersey
Cost: $420 (On-Demand online course); In-person camp: $600 per student; WiSE Fun with DNA (Long Island only): $650 per student
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Application Deadline: Unspecified (On-Demand course available year-round)
Dates: Available year-round (On-Demand; self-paced online course)
Eligibility: Entering grades 6–7; no prior experience required; designed for highly motivated students interested in expanding knowledge of basic genetics and cell biology
Fun with DNA gets you working with the actual building blocks of genetics. You'll build cell and DNA models, use microscopes to examine cells, and extract DNA from both plant and animal cells to see how genetic material can be isolated. The course also uses fruit flies with genetic mutations to show how changes in DNA can show up as visible traits, and Punnett squares let you work through how those traits are inherited. The on-demand format means you can move through the material at your own pace while working through activities that connect textbook genetics to things you can actually observe.
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.