10 Prestigious Summer Programs for 8th Graders
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 7
- 7 min read
Prestigious summer programs offer 8th-grade students an invaluable opportunity to explore college-level academics and early career exposure without the high costs often associated with pre-college experiences. These programs are gateways to practical skills, early industry immersion, and building connections that can shape future academic and professional goals. From learning how to collaborate on real-world projects to engaging with expert mentors and peers who share similar interests, these summer programs for 8th graders provide a unique edge. Importantly, many of these opportunities are fully funded, making them accessible to a wider range of motivated students. Whether your child is interested in STEM, humanities, or interdisciplinary studies, these programs help develop independence and a proactive academic mindset.
For young learners who are intellectually curious and eager to get a head start, these summer programs are a smart way to dive deep into their interests while maintaining flexibility. We've compiled a list of the top prestigious summer programs for 8th graders.
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: August 24 (Fall Cohort); other deadlines vary by cohort
Program Dates: Start date for September 14 (Fall Cohort); sessions also available earlier in the summer and spring
Cost: $2,690; need-based financial aid available
In this rigorous research-based program, you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university to pursue a project of your own design. You'll learn how to design a research question, conduct independent inquiry, and present your findings. Lumiere encourages intellectual curiosity through structured support and real academic practice. You’ll build analytical and writing skills while gaining exposure to the research process. The final product—a research paper or presentation—can be a meaningful addition to your academic portfolio.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes of 8–15 students
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $75; full and partial financial aid available
Dates: June 23 – July 30
Application Deadline: Feb 26
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders enrolled in New Haven public or parochial schools
If you're a motivated student in New Haven, the U.S. Grant Program gives you six weeks of academic enrichment in small, hands-on classes led by Yale undergraduates. You’ll dive deep into both humanities and science through courses designed to sharpen writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Mornings are spent in single-grade classes, while afternoons open up to electives such as mock trial, creative arts, and sports. The program fosters collaboration through clubs and local field trips, offering a college-campus learning experience in a welcoming and supportive environment. You'll build lasting relationships and gain exposure to college-level academics without the pressure of grades or tests.
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: July 20 (Fall Cohort, early deadline); 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 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.
4. dynaMIT
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; prioritizes underserved students based on need
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: August 18 – August 22 (for rising 8th/9th graders)
Application Deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders, especially those from underserved or low-income backgrounds
At dynaMIT, you’ll spend a week on MIT’s campus participating in engaging, hands-on STEM activities led by current MIT undergraduates and graduate students. Designed especially for students who may not have access to other enrichment programs, this initiative is entirely student-run and focused on accessibility. You’ll collaborate on science experiments, explore engineering concepts, and get mentorship from passionate young scientists who are eager to support your growth. Each day is filled with projects that make learning fun and deeply meaningful, helping you discover new academic interests and build confidence. The program is split into two separate weeks based on grade level, creating a more personalized experience for all participants.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; selective for NYC residents only
Location: Hosted at Andries Hudde Junior High School and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; fully funded through a scholarship supported by National Grid
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th grade students who are New York City residents
If you're curious about sound, technology, and urban life, SONYC offers you a rare chance to explore noise pollution through hands-on STEM projects. Over four immersive weeks, you’ll study sound waves in real-world environments, build electronic devices that capture and analyze urban noise, and learn how these issues affect public health. You’ll also gain skills in electronics, basic coding, and even public speaking through theater-based communication training.
This program, rooted in NYU’s Music and Audio Research Lab, gives you the chance to work with real smart-city technologies and present your projects at a final showcase. Classes run full days, Monday through Thursday, and are led by faculty and researchers passionate about the science and impact of sound.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly listed; selective based on academic merit and eligibility
Location: Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 28 – August 8 (summer session) | November 9 – May 17 (academic year session)
Application Deadline: April 15 (for summer) | September 15 (for academic year)
Eligibility: 7th–12th grade students who are New York State residents, economically disadvantaged, or identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American
S-PREP is an intensive academic enrichment program for students with a strong interest in medicine or STEM. As a participant, you’ll take advanced science and math courses such as chemistry, physics, calculus, and anatomy—designed to prepare you for college and a STEM-focused career. The summer session runs weekdays in July, while the academic-year session offers full-day classes on Saturdays. You’ll also receive PSAT/SAT prep, college counseling, and participate in career development workshops. S-PREP serves as a gateway to even more opportunities, such as Columbia’s prestigious BRAINYAC neuroscience research program and the YES in THE HEIGHTS cancer research internship. If you’re motivated, academically strong, and committed to exploring the sciences, S-PREP offers a high-impact, tuition-free experience.
7. Penn GEMS
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not published; limited space, reviewed after the deadline
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $650; limited need-based financial assistance available
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders who live and attend school within 60 miles of Penn’s campus and have at least a B average
Penn GEMS is a week-long, hands-on summer camp that introduces you to the world of engineering, science, and math through real-world applications and interactive experiences. You’ll explore topics like nanotechnology, robotics, mechanical design, and computer science—all while working in teams alongside Penn students and faculty. The program aims to spark interest in STEM by helping you think like an engineer and develop essential problem-solving and collaboration skills. From coding and animation to building robots and experimenting with glow-in-the-dark science, you’ll leave with new friends, a deeper understanding of applied STEM, and the confidence to pursue engineering in high school and beyond. GEMS is a day camp only and includes daily lunch, a t-shirt, and a closing reception for families.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; approximately 40 students total with average cohort size of 6
Location: Online
Cost: Starting at $2,699; limited scholarships available
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling (early registration recommended for best pricing and placement)
Eligibility: Ages 12–18; beginning and advanced coders are welcome
If you're interested in AI and data science, this intensive three-week program will take you from beginner coding concepts to building real machine learning models. You’ll attend live interactive lectures and participate in cohort sessions grouped by age and experience level. You'll learn how to use tools like pandas, matplotlib, seaborn, scikit-learn, and Keras to create data visualizations, train predictive models, and analyze big data. Final projects involve storytelling with data and coding, and students leave with a portfolio, hundreds of annotated notebooks, and a Data Science Scholar Certificate. BCA emphasizes 1-on-1 support, personalized mentorship, and a tight-knit online community that fosters both technical skill and confidence in STEM. This program is designed for students ready to lead in the age of AI.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; based on student motivation and teacher recommendation
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 9 – June 13
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th grade students
Physics Inside Out is a free, week-long summer program where you’ll explore physics from the nanoscale to the astronomical level through hands-on lab activities led by Purdue faculty and graduate researchers. Each day, you’ll dive into topics like magnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and resonance—often through experiments like analyzing laser light, making ferrofluids, or even breaking glass with sound waves. Afternoons may include tours of cutting-edge research spaces like the PUR1 nuclear reactor or the Birck Nanotechnology Center. Alongside lab work, you’ll hear personal stories from scientists about their paths into STEM and explore college life with visits to dining halls, libraries, and learning centers. The program selects participants based on a written statement of interest, a teacher recommendation, and availability.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact numbers not disclosed
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free; no cost to selected participants
Dates: July 7 – 11 (for rising 8th–9th graders)
Application Deadline: Typically in early spring
Eligibility: Rising 8th–11th graders within commuting distance of CMU
SEE is a one-week summer program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of engineering through hands-on projects and guided exploration. If you're a rising 8th or 9th grader, you'll participate in the "Making & Engineering" session, which teaches you core engineering disciplines and design thinking through two hands-on projects—one collaborative and one independent. You'll use common materials to problem-solve and build, learning how to think like an engineer. SEE’s sessions emphasize creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while offering insight into real-world engineering challenges.
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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