15 Programs for Middle School Students in Washington State
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
Joining academic programs in middle school is a great way for you to step into advanced learning. These programs let you test out subjects that interest you, experience what higher-level academics feel like, and build skills that go far beyond the regular school curriculum. Whether you are aiming to build confidence, dive deeper into STEM, or simply challenge yourself, structured programs can offer a solid launchpad for your academic goals.
Why should you attend a program in Washington state?
Washington is home to universities, organizations, and institutions that offer learning opportunities to middle school students. As a participant, you will connect with professors, experts, and industry professionals and gain early exposure to fields like STEM, medicine, the arts, and the environment, experiences that can shape what you choose to study later. Whether you are a local or visiting Washington, you can find a program that suits your needs and helps you explore your interests.
To help you shortlist the right option, we’ve curated a list of 15 programs for middle school students in Washington state.
If you are looking for free STEM programs, check out our blog here.
15 Programs for Middle School Students in Washington State
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Various program centers in Washington
Cost: Free
Program dates: Year-round support
Application deadline: Varies by district/MESA center
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 enrolled in Washington State partner schools
The Washington MESA College Prep Program is a statewide STEM enrichment pathway for middle and high school students looking for structured academic support and long-term preparation for college-level STEM fields. You will have access to guided academic planning led by MESA advisors and receive targeted study-skills instruction and test prep guidance for standardized exams. Throughout the year, you will work within a MESA community, accessing mentorship, statewide STEM competitions, and selective scholarships like the Boeing and Weyerhaeuser awards. The program offers classroom-based MESA periods, allowing you to work on STEM activities with teachers during school hours. The program also allows you to explore Washington’s STEM workforce through guest speaker sessions and field trips. You can also join the three-week Summer Math Scholars program, designed to help rising 9th graders explore high-school math.
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: 8 weeks (rolling cohorts throughout the year)
Application deadline: Varies across different cohorts; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program allows middle school students to dive into their academic interests and develop a written project. You can choose from STEM fields, social sciences, business, and various other disciplines, and then pick a topic for your project. Over the course of eight weeks, you will connect with Ph.D. mentors from leading universities and learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. You will receive individualized feedback through eight mentor sessions and two writing-coach sessions. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program to help you publish your research in academic journals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Washington’s Savery Hall, Seattle, WA
Cost: None
Program dates: Sundays every month during the Spring
Application deadline: None; no registration required—students can just walk in!
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 10 in Seattle
University of Washington’s Monthly Math Hour is a recurring series of hour-long sessions focused on math, designed for middle and high schoolers. On Sundays in spring, you will visit the University of Washington campus to study advanced topics in mathematics covered by professors from UW and other universities. Following the instructional component, you will get to connect with professors, ask questions, and participate in group discussions. The program, supported by NSF awards and UW’s Department of Math, allows you to explore math beyond the standard middle school curriculum. You can pick specific sessions each spring by subscribing to the program’s mailing list.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, with small group cohorts
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Program dates: Spring: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) | Summer: 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that allows middle school students to explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over the course of 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python, regression, image classification, data analysis, neural networks, and AI ethics through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. You will also work on AI-focused projects with peers. Previous projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to generate a custom list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Mid June – Mid July (four weeks); exact dates TBA
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who attend public schools and are first-generation college students, students from underrepresented socio-economic status, and/or students from underrepresented minoritized groups
Summer Academic Challenge is a project-based STEAM enrichment program designed for middle and high school students. Over four weeks, you will explore technology, math, science, engineering, and arts through classes, labs, field trips, and outdoor learning exercises. You will also attend workshops covering writing and communication. The program themes differ by grade group; you may explore the underlying math and science in home design, marine ecosystems, and the evolution of transportation. Each track is designed to help you build teamwork and problem-solving skills, and prepare for the upcoming school year and your long-term academic goals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~180 students/year across five sites; ~10–15 students/cohort
Location: Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free; funded by foundations and the City of Seattle’s Families and Education Levy
Program dates: Six-week summer program; school-year sessions run 9–11 weeks
Application deadline: Varies by school site
Eligibility: Middle school students; priority is given to students from underserved communities underrepresented in STEM.
ZooCrew is a STEM-focused program where you get to explore conservation science through fieldwork, inquiry labs, and project-based learning. You will participate in daily interactive science sessions, animal encounters, local environment explorations, and small-group engineering challenges. The curriculum follows a “Discover, Create, and Share” model, where you will investigate a conservation issue, design a solution, and share your work through multimedia, blogs, or community events. You will receive mentorship from zoo professionals such as veterinarians, conservation biologists, and keepers, who also offer you direct insight into STEM careers. The program includes a final zoo visit and public showcase where you will present your conservation project to peers, families, and visitors.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Schools or other sites in Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Monthly sessions from November to April
Application deadline: October 22
Eligibility: 7th and 8th-grade students who identify as girls and attend a Seattle public school
GEMS is a year-long STEM enrichment program that introduces middle schoolers to engineering, math, and science through monthly hands-on sessions and guided activities. You will work with mentors who will help you explore STEM concepts through experiments, demonstrations, and small-group work. The program also offers optional workspace visits, giving you a chance to observe labs, offices, and STEM professionals in action. Sessions offer practical exposure to coding basics, engineering design exercises, and scientific problem-solving, while encouraging you to ask questions and discuss your interests.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $700 or $780, depending on the session; limited financial assistance available
Program dates: June 30 – July 11 | August 11 – 22
Application deadline: Rolling until filled; typically closes by early June
Eligibility: Incoming 6th–8th graders; participation requires a digital camera and a free Flickr account.
This photography program is designed to introduce you to technical and creative approaches to digital photography through daily shooting sessions across the UW campus. You will explore photography fundamentals such as exposure, focus, manual settings, and composition while experimenting with techniques like light painting and light drawing. The curriculum includes structured critique sessions where you will receive feedback from peers, instructional staff, and visiting professional photographers. Guest speakers, including a National Geographic photographer, will offer insight into advanced storytelling and field techniques. You will build a curated set of photographs throughout the session, using group discussions and iterative practice to strengthen your visual decision-making.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $780; limited financial assistance available
Program dates: July 14 – 25 | August 11 – 22
Application deadline: Rolling until filled; typically closes by early June
Eligibility: Incoming 6th–8th graders; no prior architecture or design experience required
This program is an opportunity to explore architectural design through hands-on drafting, modeling, and creative problem-solving projects. You will study how architecture influences social and environmental issues while developing the skills needed to express ideas through sketches and small-scale physical models. Sessions will cover foundational techniques, design vocabulary, and clear visual communication. You will also work in teams to brainstorm concepts, test structural ideas, and present design decisions to peers. Throughout the two weeks, you refine your ability to analyze spatial challenges and craft solutions using real design methods. The final set of models and drawings will highlight your understanding of the architectural design process.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited capacity; highly in-demand (exact cohort size not published)
Location: NOAA Western Regional Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: $450; scholarships available
Program dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Registration opens February 10 and closes when full; international students must register at least one month before camp begins.
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders; U.S. and international participants allowed
This week-long STEM program, a joint effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington Sea Grant, and the University of Washington, introduces you to ocean science and environmental research through field-based activities led by NOAA scientists. You will explore topics such as marine mammal identification, ocean navigation, hazardous spill response, climate monitoring, and water-quality analysis. Activities, structured to help you build applied scientific reasoning, include using buoy data to model climate events and practicing charting skills with official navigation maps. You will also participate in hands-on simulations, such as trying SCUBA equipment, exploring a hyperbaric chamber, and working through real-world spill scenarios. Additionally, you will engage in team problem-solving sessions and explore careers in science.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $895; limited financial assistance available
Program dates: June 30 – July 11
Application deadline: Rolling until filled; typically closes by early June
Eligibility: Incoming 6th–8th graders; no prior coding or game design experience required
In this program, you will learn foundational game design principles by building 8-bit video games using Microsoft MakeCode Arcade. You will work with sprite graphics, simple audio, movement logic, and collision mechanics to create functional prototypes from scratch. Sessions include guided coding practice, genre analysis, and structured testing cycles that will help you understand how mechanics and player experience connect. You will collaborate in small groups to review game concepts, debug issues, and iterate on design choices. The program ends with a final game showcase, allowing you to present your work and discuss design decisions with peers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: $780; limited financial assistance available
Program dates: July 14 – 25 | July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: Rolling until filled; window typically closes by early June
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th graders with strong English language proficiency
This University of Washington course offers middle schoolers an introduction to the courtroom structure, trial procedures, and the roles involved in the judicial process through a mix of simulations and guided analysis. You will examine how legal documents are written, read, and interpreted while practicing skills such as persuasive speaking, active listening, and structured reasoning. Throughout the session, you will step into roles like attorney or witness, allowing you to understand trial strategy from multiple perspectives. You will work on building collaborative and leadership skills while studying case materials and developing arguments with peers. The program ends with a full mock trial, offering a realistic setting to apply what you have learned. This structure allows you to explore legal thinking and civic concepts through immersive, hands-on activities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~750 students annually across four camps; individual camp groups are typically smaller and team-based
Location: Cispus Learning Center, Randle, WA
Cost: TBA
Program dates: Multiple sessions offered in summer; typically week-long camps (e.g., July–August sessions)
Application deadline: Varies by camp session; applications typically open in spring and close once capacity is reached
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8
The Association of Washington Student Leaders, or AWSL, is a nonprofit that offers leadership-focused summer camps that introduce you to communication strategies, teamwork structures, and decision-making models. You will spend a week in a small breakout group working through practical leadership scenarios, problem-solving simulations, and guided team-building activities led by trained camp staff. The curriculum focuses on real-world applications, like improving school climate or designing student-led initiatives, and incorporates structured reflection to help you understand your strengths as a leader. Camps take place at the Cispus Learning Center, where you participate in workshops, collaborative challenges, and outdoor learning experiences that build confidence in group settings.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Washington Robinson Center, Seattle, WA
Cost: $1,450; financial assistance available
Program dates: June 30 – July 23
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on February 15
Eligibility: Current 7th–10th graders; prerequisites vary by course
Summer Stretch is an in-person summer program designed for middle and high school students who want to dive into a single subject over the course of four weeks. Here, you will join a small class led by specialist instructors. You can choose between accelerated academic courses in math, chemistry, ecology, or other academic tracks and enrichment courses covering American literature, mock trial basics, or robotics. In each course, you will explore core concepts and engage in group work, self-study, and test-taking.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~12 students/year
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 6 – 24 (summer) + August 26 – December 9 (weekly fall sessions)
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 and 7 who live in the U.S., come from low-income families (typical family income under $90,000), and can commit to both the summer course and fall meetings
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a competitive, tuition-free academic enrichment opportunity designed to prepare motivated middle schoolers for rigorous high school pathways. Over three weeks in July, you will follow an online curriculum taught live by Stanford Online High School instructors, most of whom hold Ph. D.s. The summer sessions focus on analytical writing, mathematical thinking, problem-solving, and foundational skills that selective high schools expect from incoming students. The program continues through weekly fall meetings that will help you with high-school planning, academic skill-building, and enrichment pathways. You will be introduced to advanced academic disciplines and receive structured mentorship to build strong study habits.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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