10 Online Summer Biology Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 14 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Biology programs are a way for middle schoolers to establish a foundational understanding of the subject and explore their interests in the field. Online programs allow you to learn the subject from home, offering flexibility and accessibility. They also help save on costs associated with travel and accommodation. These programs are a way to interact with a diverse group of students and instructors who become part of your network.
Some programs can be selective and rigorous, which helps you prepare for advanced coursework at the high school and college level. Here are some online summer biology programs for you to start learning.
10 Online Summer Biology Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks, varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Students curious about STEM research can opt for Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program. You will be paired with PhD mentors from prestigious universities, such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton, who are specialists in biology and related fields. Over the course of the program, you will learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study, thereby building crucial research skills. Feedback and writing coaching sessions help you polish your writing and scientific communication skills. Students looking to publish their research in academic journals can opt for the Junior Research and Publication Program.
Location: Virtual or in-person
Cost: $490 to $1,070; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Various sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High-achieving middle and high school students aged 11–18
Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research allows middle school students to learn molecular medicine. The program prepares you for a career in biomedical research, drug development, pharmacy or nursing. For the online program, you can choose from Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Medicinal Chemistry, FutureMD, and Medical Bioinformatics. These programs are suitable for students interested in research or developing a science fair project. By the end of the program, you will learn to develop an original research project on a gene or molecular process of your choice. The courses emphasize experimental design and drug development.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates:
Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weeks, weekends
Summer cohort: 25 hours over 2 weeks, weekdays
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
You can also consider a blend of biology and technology with Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program. Here, you learn the fundamentals of AI and machine learning. The course teaches a range of topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. After completing the theoretical component, you apply your learnings to a practical project. To explore your interest in biology, you can use technology to solve a real-world biology challenge. Past students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Online or in-person
Cost: $1,095
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
This summer program introduces you to the fundamentals of genetics. The program focuses on the transfer of information through the Central Dogma of Biology. You will study inheritable diseases and the ways in which they are passed down. You encounter molecular as well as genomic studies. You conduct original research on an inheritable disease. The findings and results are presented at the culminating conference.
Location: Online or in-person
Cost/Stipend: To be announced
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 24
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers STEAM workshops in a range of subjects. You step into various roles and professions to discover where your interests lie. During the program, you complete hands-on projects, for which you receive the required supplies. Middle school students can opt for a workshop in marine biology, geology, engineering, and many other subjects. The program is led by field experts who also serve as role models. In addition, you learn about women conducting research in each field.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various sessions of different lengths
Application Deadline: Varies according to session
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and older
Middle schoolers interested in medicine and evidence-based research may benefit from this program. You will study how medical researchers conduct research and develop cancer treatment. The program also gives you the opportunity to develop your own study and write a research article. You learn basic biostatistics, epidemiology, and clinical trials in the context of their role in medical research. Participating in this course provides insights regarding a future in STEM, medical research, pharmaceuticals or medical school.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $50 for materials
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Middle and high school students aged 14–18
This program gives you a taste of regenerative medicine science. You will encounter contemporary research in the field during this week-long program. You also learn about technological advancements in regenerative medicine. Through this program, you can gain insights into a career in the field. There is the option of participating in a half-day in-person component that involves hands-on activities, workshops, demos, and a tour.
Location: Online
Cost: $575
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 24 – August 5
Application Deadline: One week before the start date
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 who meet the Emerald-tier eligibility criteria
Northwestern’s CTD offers a range of programs in diverse subjects, including biology. As a middle schooler, you can opt for the online course on astrobiology. You learn about life in the solar system and on other planets. The course takes you through types of stars and habitable zones, how extrasolar planets are discovered, and how volcanoes are a positive sign for life on a planet. The program lasts for 6 weeks, and you can expect to gain a foundational understanding of astrobiology.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,365
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: To be announced for summer
Application Deadline: To be announced for summer
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who meet CTY-level quantitative and verbal scores
Students considering a career in medicine may find the Be The Doctor course suitable. Through this program, you study the anatomy and physiology of various body systems, such as gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, and microbiology; methods of diagnosis and treatment for different diseases and disorders; and medical ethics. You work in groups to analyze case studies, stepping into various medical roles. Using this knowledge, you create your own case study. Learning about diagnostic tools helps you understand how diseases are treated and how such tools are chosen.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various 4-week sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students aged 13 years and older
In this biology course, you discover the latest developments and technology in the field. You learn how systems biology revolutionizes our understanding of genes, proteins, and cellular interactions. The program delves into how technological advancements impact medicine and medical treatments. Thus, this program blends biology with biotechnology. You also study and analyze contemporary research and real-world applications.
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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