10 Prestigious Engineering Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
Engineering camps for middle school students can be a smart and meaningful way to explore STEM interests early. These programs often strike a balance between hands-on learning, academic enrichment, and exposure to real-world engineering concepts, all without the hefty cost of college tuition or a full-time academic program. Whether you're still deciding what field of engineering might be a good fit or you're already leaning into a particular discipline, a summer engineering experience can help you gain a clearer understanding of your path.
Many of these engineering camps for middle school students also introduce you to what college-level labs, group projects, and even campus life can look like, often in a more accessible, shorter-term format. Beyond that, you’ll get a chance to build practical skills such as coding, robotics, design thinking, and teamwork. Some programs include mentorship, industry guest speakers, or exposure to professionals working in the field, adding real-world relevance to what you're learning.
If you're interested in a more competitive or in-depth experience, there are also several selective and well-regarded options. We’ve narrowed down a list of the most prestigious engineering camps, focusing on those that are academically rigorous, offer strong networking or mentorship components, and are hosted by respected universities or organizations.
Subject Areas: STEM (e.g. Computer Science, Biology, Physics, AI & Data Science), Humanities (e.g. History, Sociology, Economics, International Relations), and Engineering
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no prior experience required, but best suited for motivated and academically curious students
Application Deadline: June 23 (Summer Cohort II); other deadlines vary by cohort
Program Dates: 8 weeks, with start dates varying by cohort
Cost: $2,400; need-based financial aid available
In Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program, you’ll work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from institutions like Harvard, Oxford, or MIT to dive deep into a subject you’re passionate about. Over eight weeks, you’ll explore a variety of academic topics before narrowing your focus and developing an independent research project. Each session is tailored to your interests, whether you're drawn to gene editing, climate justice, game theory, or financial markets. You’ll learn research and writing techniques typically taught at the high school or college level, with personalized guidance throughout. The final project could take the form of a paper, presentation, or exploratory portfolio, and alumni have even published their work in academic journals.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, Environmental Science, Urban Design
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: New York City residents, ages 12–14 at the program start
Application Deadline: April 29
Program Dates: July 8 – August 2
Cost: Free
At the Science of Smart Cities program, you'll explore how STEM can be used to create safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable urban spaces. Throughout the four-week program, you'll work in teams to design and build tech-based solutions using coding, electronics, sensors, and microcontrollers. The curriculum includes hands-on projects guided by NYU faculty and grad students, and you'll present your work in a final showcase at the end of the program.
A unique aspect of SoSC is “Irondale,” an improv-based workshop series that helps boost your public speaking and communication skills—useful when sharing your ideas with others. The experience blends engineering and innovation with creative collaboration, offering a look into how STEM can solve real-world city challenges.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Python Programming, Data Science
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Application Deadline: June 22 (Summer Cohort II); other sessions may be offered throughout the year
Program Dates:
Weekend Track: 25 hours over 10 weekends
Summer Track: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)
Cost: $2,290; full financial aid available for students with demonstrated need
Veritas AI’s 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.
4. UPenn GEMS
Subject Areas: Bioengineering, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Robotics, Computer Science
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9 who live and attend school within 60 miles of Penn’s campus
Application Deadline: March 3
Program Dates: June 23 – June 27
Cost: $650; limited need-based financial aid available
At Penn GEMS, you'll spend a full week exploring a wide range of STEM fields through hands-on labs and team-based challenges designed to show how engineering connects to everyday life. Activities include experimenting with nano-materials, building and programming robots, creating animated games, and tackling real-world design problems. Each day brings new themes—from glow-in-the-dark biology to mechanical engineering and computer science—giving you a comprehensive look at what it means to be an engineer. The program is led by Penn faculty and students, offering both mentorship and a peek into college-level STEM environments. You'll also collaborate with peers who share your interests, and by the end of the week, present what you’ve learned at a family-attended closing reception.
Subject Areas: Engineering, Robotics, Environmental Science, Data Analytics, Chemistry, and Physics
Location: United States Military Academy at West Point, West Point, NY
Eligibility: U.S. citizens currently in 6th or 7th grade (for the middle school session); strong academic record and interest in STEM required
Application Deadline: February 28
Program Dates: June 2 – June 6
Cost: Free
The West Point Summer STEM Program gives you the chance to spend a week living and learning on a military academy campus while working through hands-on STEM challenges. With guidance from West Point faculty and cadet mentors, you’ll dive into projects that blend creativity with real engineering concepts—past activities have included robotics, fuel cell vehicles, bridge building, and water chemistry. The goal is to develop your problem-solving skills and show how STEM connects to both military and civilian applications. You’ll stay in the West Point barracks, eat in the Mess Hall, and participate in a tightly structured schedule that mirrors aspects of cadet life. It’s a unique opportunity to experience STEM in a highly immersive, team-oriented setting.
Subject Areas: General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Design, Robotics, Circuitry
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders (Session 1); must live within commuting distance of campus
Application Deadline: Applications are closed; typically due in early spring
Program Dates: July 7 – July 11 (Rising 8th–9th graders)
Cost: Free
SEE at Carnegie Mellon is a week-long program designed to introduce you to the practical side of engineering through team projects and guided design challenges. During the “Making & Engineering” session, you’ll explore several engineering fields by working on two hands-on projects—one group-based and structured, and another where you collaborate in small teams to develop your own ideas. Both projects use simple, household-accessible materials to reinforce key principles like problem-solving, iteration, and innovation.
Throughout the week, you’ll also attend presentations led by CMU faculty and engineering professionals, offering insight into how engineering is used to solve real-world problems. The experience is designed for students with a strong interest in STEM and is especially accessible for those living near the Pittsburgh area.
7. dynaMIT
Subject Areas: Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Applied Math, General STEM
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th grade students; preference given to applicants from low-income backgrounds
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in spring; now closed
Program Dates:
Week 1 (Rising 6th–7th graders): August 11 – August 15
Week 2 (Rising 8th–9th graders): August 18 – August 22
Cost: Free
At dynaMIT, you'll spend a full week on MIT’s campus engaging in interactive, student-designed STEM experiments and challenges. The program is led entirely by MIT undergraduate and graduate students, who serve as both instructors and mentors throughout your experience. Each day includes hands-on activities covering different STEM fields—ranging from physics to engineering design—intended to spark your creativity and problem-solving skills. You’ll work in small groups, complete daily challenges, and take part in experiments designed to make science and engineering approachable and fun. The focus is on giving students from underserved communities meaningful access to STEM learning in an encouraging and collaborative environment.
Subject Areas: Engineering Design, Robotics, Computer Science, Technology & Innovation
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | Michigan Engineering Zone, Detroit, MI
Eligibility: Michigan residents currently in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade; separate session for rising 9th graders
Application Deadline: April 5
Program Dates:
June 23 – June 27 (Ann Arbor)
July 28 – August 1 (Detroit, rising 9th grade only)
August 4 – August 8 (Detroit)
Cost: Free
The Thinkabit Lab Summer Program gives you a full week of hands-on exploration in science and engineering, centered around how technology can be used for social good. You'll spend your time learning how engineers approach problems, exploring tools and concepts in robotics and coding, and building your own tech-based project. Throughout the week, you’ll meet real engineers, try out interactive STEM challenges, and apply what you learn to design a solution for a real-world issue. Hosted either on the U-M Ann Arbor campus or at the Michigan Engineering Zone in Detroit, the camp offers a mix of creativity, collaboration, and technical learning—all in a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Subject Areas: Robotics, Physical Computing, 3D Modeling, Electronics, Mechanical Systems
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: NYC residents currently in 4th–7th grade
Application Deadline: June 2
Program Dates:
Session 1: July 11 – July 15
Session 2: July 18 – July 22
Session 3: July 25 – July 29
Session 4: August 1 – August 5
Session 5: August 8 – August 12
Cost: Free (full scholarship; no tuition or fees)
CrEST introduces you to the core concepts of engineering through weekly hands-on sessions that mix technology with creativity. Each week has a different focus, but all sessions give you a chance to work with tools like Tinkercad and Fusion 360, build interactive devices, and explore robotics, circuitry, and 3D design. Classes are led by NYU faculty and grad students, and you'll spend each day building projects that help you understand how science and tech apply to real-world challenges.
You’ll collaborate with other NYC students in a supportive, lab-based environment, whether you're designing robotic cars or simulating your own creations in a virtual space. The program blends technical instruction with problem-solving, giving you a strong introduction to engineering and computer science in action
Subject Areas: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering
Location: Manhattan University, Riverdale (New York City), NY
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until filled
Program Dates: July 7 – August 7 (Monday–Thursday only)
Cost:
$599/week for 1–2 weeks
$589/week for 3–4 weeks
$565/week for 5 weeks
Financial aid available
The Manhattan University Science & Engineering Camp introduces you to the fundamentals of five core engineering fields through weekly hands-on projects. Each week focuses on a different discipline, giving you the chance to explore topics like environmental systems, mechanical devices, or electrical circuits in a collaborative, activity-based format. Campers interact directly with university faculty and engineering alumni through daily workshops and guest talks, and you'll get to work inside Manhattan University’s engineering labs one day each week. The structured sessions emphasize design thinking, creativity, and problem-solving while also helping you understand how engineering impacts the world. This on-campus program blends technical skills with team-oriented challenges in a university setting close to NYC.
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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