15 Research Resources for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 12 minutes ago
- 8 min read
As a middle schooler, research resources can offer you meaningful opportunities to expand learning beyond the classroom. These platforms and tools are designed to help you build practical academic skills, encourage independent inquiry, and introduce you to fields like science, technology, and the humanities at an early stage.
‘Resources’ refers to digital platforms, research tools, and content libraries that support your independent learning and skill development. These tools can support a wide range of research efforts, whether you are seeking reliable sources for a school paper, conducting an independent project, or simply exploring a subject of interest in greater depth.
To help with your search, we have gathered a list of 15 research resources for middle school students.
If you are looking for research topics, check out our blogs here.
15 Research Resources for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort; you can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
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: Online (Zooniverse platform)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access; over 29,000 participants
Dates: Ongoing participation
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up
Planet Four: Terrains invites you to assist planetary scientists by identifying and mapping unique surface features near the south pole of Mars using real satellite imagery. You will examine black-and-white images taken by the Context Camera (CTX) aboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and search for terrain types such as spiders, channel networks, baby spiders, swiss cheese formations, and craters. These observations help researchers select specific sites for higher-resolution imaging with the HiRISE camera. The project provides an opportunity to contribute to active space science research and learn how real data are used to explore planetary processes. All classifications are part of a broader database used by scientists to analyze Martian climate and terrain patterns over time.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort; you can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Scheduled sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 8 (ages 8–14)
National Geographic Education provides access to a wide range of multimedia learning tools, including articles, maps, videos, and interactive features across disciplines such as biology, geography, ecology, and conservation. Its Explorer Classroom series offers live, virtual events where students engage directly with scientists, photographers, and conservationists to learn about their research and global projects. These sessions often include opportunities for students to ask questions and participate in related activities. The platform also features project-based challenges, lesson collections, and subject-specific tools that support independent inquiry and classroom learning. All materials are designed to develop curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world connections to research topics.
Location: Online
Cost: Subscription-based; limited free content available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access with subscription
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in grades K–8
Britannica Kids is an online research platform designed to provide safe, trustworthy, and age-appropriate educational content for younger students. The platform includes over 100,000 articles, media galleries, and videos, along with a built-in dictionary and text-to-speech functionality. Most articles are offered at three reading levels to support comprehension across a wide age range. Students can explore topics using tools like an interactive world atlas, country comparison features, and subject-specific search filters. Britannica Kids also includes access to its Activities Corner, which features downloadable games, lesson plans, and other enrichment materials aligned with educational standards.
Location: University of Colorado Boulder (Online platform)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Designed for elementary through college-level learners; suitable for grades 6–8
PhET is a free online platform that offers over 170 interactive simulations in subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and math. Developed by the University of Colorado Boulder and founded by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, these simulations are grounded in education research and designed to support exploration-based learning. Each simulation functions like a digital lab, allowing students to manipulate variables, observe outcomes, and draw conclusions about scientific or mathematical concepts. The platform also includes educator resources, such as classroom activities and teaching tips, which are frequently submitted by a global teaching community. Simulations are available in multiple languages and optimized for accessibility, making them widely usable in classrooms and at home.
7. Khan Academy
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Khan Academy is a free educational platform that offers a comprehensive range of standards-aligned lessons in math, science, history, English, and more. For middle school students, the site provides structured courses in subjects like pre-algebra, biology, grammar, and world history, often broken into short video lessons paired with interactive practice problems and quizzes. The platform tracks individual progress, allowing students to move at their own pace and revisit concepts as needed. In addition to core subjects, students can explore introductory computer science, logic, and economics. Khan Academy supports independent study and is frequently used for enrichment, review, or support outside the classroom.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: New articles published monthly
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up
Science Journal for Kids is an online publication that adapts peer-reviewed scientific research into articles specifically written for students in grades 5–12. Each article is rewritten using age-appropriate language and includes illustrations, comprehension questions, teacher guides, and interactive features like videos, quizzes, and hands-on activities. The topics cover a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biology, climate science, health, and space, with all content approved by the original researchers. New formats include clickable figures, short assessments, and interactive lessons designed for use in or outside the classroom. The resource provides a reliable and engaging way for students to explore real-world science research in an accessible format.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in grades K–12; includes materials for grades 6–8
Smithsonian’s History Explorer is an educational platform from the National Museum of American History offering free, standards-aligned resources that connect students to U.S. history through primary sources, multimedia, and interactive content. Middle school students can access lessons, printable worksheets, and video series that explore key topics such as elections, gender equity, immigration, and civil rights. Many materials include historical artifacts, curated playlists, and self-paced modules that encourage critical thinking and civic engagement. Programs like Preparing for the Oath, Latinas Talk Latinas, and Runaway Robot are designed to help students interpret the past using real objects and documents.
Location: Washington, DC (with extensive online access)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: All ages; includes middle school-friendly resources
The Library of Congress is the largest in the world and provides free online access to millions of primary sources, historical photographs, manuscripts, maps, and educational tools. Its digital collections include searchable archives on topics such as the Civil Rights Movement, World War II, and early American history, which are useful for student research projects. Middle school learners can explore curated exhibits, use the “Ask a Librarian” feature for research support, and access lesson plans tailored to grades 6–8. Programs like By the People also allow students to contribute to the transcription and tagging of historical documents, making history more accessible to the public. The library supports independent research and critical source analysis through direct engagement with authentic materials.
11. SmARThistory
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up; best suited for grades 6–12
Smarthistory is a nonprofit platform offering a vast collection of free, peer-reviewed resources on art history from prehistory to the present. Its database includes over 4,500 videos, essays, and thematic guides created by more than 800 academic contributors and reviewed by experts. Middle school students can access curated guides such as The Basics of Art History or explore global art through visual analysis, cultural context, and artist commentary. All content is written in accessible language while maintaining academic rigor and is aligned with key educational standards. Smarthistory also partners with Khan Academy and is widely recommended by universities, libraries, and museums, making it a trusted tool for independent learning and research.
Location: Online (Washington, D.C.-based)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up; suitable for advanced learners and educators
Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan research organization that publishes data-driven reports on topics like politics, technology, religion, media, and public opinion. Students can access articles, infographics, quizzes, and downloadable datasets to explore real-world data and survey findings. The site includes interactive tools such as the Political Typology and Religious Typology quizzes, which allow you to compare your views to national survey responses. Pew also provides resources on how surveys are conducted and why methodology matters. It can be a valuable source for independent research, data literacy development, and civics-related assignments.
13. Science Daily
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up; best for students with strong reading skills or a science interest
ScienceDaily features up-to-date news from scientific journals and research institutions across fields such as health, environment, technology, and space. Students can explore real-world breakthroughs and cutting-edge discoveries with articles that include summaries, source links, and original citations. The site is searchable by topic and updated daily, making it ideal for science current events, research projects, or exploring personal interests in STEM. It supports independent learning and scientific literacy with accurate, credible reporting.
14. Desmos
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up; ideal for students in pre-algebra through calculus
Desmos offers a suite of interactive math tools, including graphing, scientific, four-function, geometry, matrix, and 3D calculators. Students can visualize equations, explore geometric constructions, and experiment with complex functions in real time. The platform encourages conceptual understanding through hands-on exploration and supports independent or classroom learning. Widely used in state tests and international programs like the SAT, ACT, and IB, Desmos is both educational and assessment-friendly. Its clean interface and broad accessibility make it a go-to resource for math practice, projects, and discovery-based learning.
15. Google Earth
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open access
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: None
Eligibility: Students in middle school and up; suitable for students, educators, and independent learners
Google Earth is a 3D interactive globe that allows students to explore geographic, environmental, historical, and cultural features of the world. Users can create custom projects with pins, images, and text, or explore pre-made classroom stories and activities like the Carmen Sandiego geographic missions. The platform also includes Timelapse, which visualizes environmental changes over the past several decades using satellite data. Educators can integrate geospatial thinking into subjects such as science, history, and literature.
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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