15 Science Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 17
- 10 min read
As a middle school student, science programs can be great academic opportunities for you, especially if you are trying to build STEM skills beyond the classroom. These programs can offer exposure to advanced academics, practical skill development for future coursework and extracurriculars, and insights into career paths.
Science programs span various disciplines, from biology to physics, with many also offering exposure to multiple STEM fields simultaneously through an interdisciplinary approach. These programs also offer opportunities to build valuable connections with peers, professors, and professionals, without being expensive options to explore.
In this blog, we have identified 15 science programs for middle school students.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Eight weeks; multiple cohorts every year
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines for each cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program offers you a personalized science research opportunity within an 8-week structure. You will work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university, developing a personalized project in a science field of your choice, with options including physics and astrophysics, biology, medicine and public health, and environmental studies. You will spend the first half of the program studying four specialized topics in your focus area and gaining exposure to the variety of research approaches you can pursue. In the second half of the program, you will focus on a single sub-field while also designing a project and conducting research under the guidance of your mentor. You can find the application form here to learn more about the program.
Location: Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, MA
Cost: $300; discounts and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Bridgewater State University offers week-long summer programs, where you will explore unique science concepts through a combination of coursework and activities. The CyberTank course blends computer science with entrepreneurship, guiding you to build cybersecurity skills that you will use to design a technological project that you will discuss in a pitch-style presentation. You will also engage in challenges, learning how to protect personal data and your innovations. You can also choose the Avoiding a Campus CATastrophe track, where you will assist lab staff in diagnosing and testing stray cats. In the process, you will explore biotechnology procedures utilized for veterinary medicine. You will also help engineer a shelter for cats.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Multiple 10-week cohorts each year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Veritas AI offers you a hands-on opportunity to learn advanced techniques in the growing field of artificial intelligence through its AI Trailblazers program. Here, you will explore topics in machine learning and neural networks, gain computational skills through coding in Python and data analysis, and complete a series of coding exercises related to each core topic you cover. As the course progresses, you will explore more advanced concepts like image classification as well as professional skills like ethical considerations in AI research. You will complete collaborative activities as well as a specialized final project in an AI topic of your choosing.
4. MIT dynaMIT
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: August 11 – 15 (Rising 6th and 7th graders) | August 18 – 22 (Rising 8th and 9th graders)
Application deadline: April 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–9 living in Massachusetts; students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds without access to STEM enrichment programs are encouraged to apply
MIT’s dynaMIT is a rigorous science program designed for under-resourced middle school students. As a participant, you will spend a week learning on MIT’s campus under the mentorship of current MIT students, with a unique yearly curriculum focused on six core fields, including biology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and earth and space sciences. You will participate in scientific experiments, such as pipetting work in MIT’s labs, learning knot theory through physical models, and identifying diseases through medical role-playing. You can return in the spring for a reunion event, where you will reconnect with peers and mentors and contribute to the development of the program’s structure in the upcoming year.
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $275; free or reduced cost for eligible families. You can check the details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 2 – 6
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The University of Arizona offers school students various summer opportunities, one of which is the Toxic Detectives program, an opportunity for middle schoolers to explore environmental health and toxicology. During the week-long program, you will participate in science experiments, tours of research labs, and sessions led by STEM professionals. Additionally, you will engage in on-campus exploration and off-campus field trips. The program will end with a final showcase, where you get to present your understanding of a toxin of choice.
Location: Three sites in New York state (NYC and Upstate) and Southern California (LA)
Cost: Free (includes lodging, transportation, and food)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 40 students per site (120 total)
Program dates: Three weeks over the summer
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Current 7th-grade students living in NYC or LA with strong math abilities and limited access to enrichment programs; most admitted students have a median household income of $38,000 and will be first-generation college students
BEAM’s Summer Away program is a long-term mentored educational opportunity for middle schoolers interested in math. You will live on a college campus during the program and explore proof-based math topics like number theory, graph theory, and combinatorics under the instruction of university professors. You will attend lectures led by professional mathematicians on advanced math topics and their educational paths into the field. Designed to support talented under-resourced students, BEAM also offers additional, continued 10-year mentorship through its Pathway Program, guiding you through the college application process, career path exploration, and internship selection.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: July 28 – August 8 (summer) and weekly Saturday sessions from November 9 – May 17
Application deadline: April 15 (summer) and September 15 (academic year)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 who are New York State residents or U.S. permanent residents living in New York; applicants must be economically disadvantaged and/or identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian
Columbia’s S-PREP summer program and extended enrichment opportunities are designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds pursue careers in science and medicine. Here, you will study biochemistry, anatomy, pre-calculus, pre-med concepts, and other advanced topics in STEM while also preparing for future college and high school coursework. Additional educational and enrichment activities include SAT prep, college tours, academic counseling, and field trips in the NYC area. You will also have the option of joining the academic year session either in lieu of or as an extension of your summer involvement. As an S-PREP participant, you will be eligible to apply to Columbia’s research programs in biomedical neuroscience (BRAINYAC) and cancer research (YES in THE HEIGHTS) when you are a high school student.
Location: Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $300; partial and full scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: May 27 – 30
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
ASU’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence offers multiple science programs for middle and high school students. Its SUCCESS (A Survey of Computing, Coding, and Engineering Software Systems) camp is a four-day summer program focusing on computing. During the program, you will explore different computing fields, including AI, mobile/web development, game development, cybersecurity, augmented/virtual reality, and embedded systems. The beginner-friendly camp also offers various activities to help you become familiar with coding and programming. For instance, you will develop an AI-based app, build a game, use a virtual reality headset, and build an LED message wall at camp.
Location: UC Irvine, Irvine, CA
Cost: $967; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 23 – 27 | July 7 – 11 | July 14 – 18 | July 21 – 25
Application deadline: Rolling; first-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 8–17. Programs are split by age, with separate sessions for 8–12 year olds and 13–17 year olds.
The Summer STEM Summit, hosted by UCI’s Chemistry Department, offers weeklong opportunities to learn unique applications of chemistry. You will choose from a series of courses, like the Chemistry of Medicine, Paleontology, The Chemistry of Sustainable Cities, and Forensic Science, exploring how chemistry is relevant to diverse academic fields. You will visit UCI chemistry labs to conduct scientific experiments, including synthesizing chemicals, analyzing food samples, formulating cosmetic samples, and visualizing cells. With the help of UCI faculty, university students, and industry professionals, you will gain exposure to college academics and insights into careers related to the course topics.
Location: Olin College (Greater Wellesley, MA) | Gann Academy/Bentley University (Waltham, MA) | Newman School (Boston, MA)
Cost: $699 (commuter) or $1,398 (residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small group cohorts
Program dates: Multiple one-week programs from mid-June to early August
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
Boston Leadership Institute hosts a variety of week-long science programs for middle school students interested in exploring fields outside a typical classroom setting. You can choose courses like Astronomy, Hands-On Physics, Marine Science, Boats: Design & Engineering, and Mini Med School. All tracks offer project-based learning opportunities along with field trips in Boston at nearby labs and science centers, or visits to the Harbor Islands to study marine biology. For instance, in Mini Med School, you will study neuroscience, orthopedics, genetics, and other medical subfields while engaging in the work of physicians like testing patient reflexes, using stethoscopes, monitoring breathing, and evaluating patient health. In the Hands-On Physics program, you will build bottle rockets, design egg drop experiments, and build structurally sound bridges while learning about the principles that make these structures work.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost: One-week program: $1,830 (commuter) or $2,580 (residential) | Two-week program: $3,660 (commuter) or $5,640 (residential)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple one- and two-week sessions; June – July
Application deadline: Rolling admissions; applications typically open in December, and courses are filled by April
Eligibility: Current 6th- to 11th-grade students; some courses may have specific requirements
Duke’s Pre-College Programs offer middle schoolers a taste of college life and academics. During the program, you will live on the university campus for one or two weeks while taking specialized courses. Courses vary yearly, but there are always multiple science options. For instance, past courses have spanned fields like aerospace engineering, computer science and AI, botany, and animal cognition. Each science course offers opportunities to engage in hands-on project work and lab experiments. You will also attend lectures led by industry professionals, engage in campus tours, and participate in social activities like sports and field trips.
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Cost: $700 (commuter) or $1,350 (residential); limited scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 7 – 11 | July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–8
UNH’s TechSplorers is a science program for middle school students interested in exploring tech fields and building problem-solving skills. During the program, you will explore a new area in STEM each day, including topics in forensic science, coding, ecology, and chemistry, while engaging in lab sessions and activities. You will conduct experiments in UNH’s College of Engineering and Physical Science laboratories and learn how to work within a team to tackle various challenges. You will also gain exposure to college life and academics.
13. MathPath
Location: U.S. college campuses; site varies each year
Cost: $6,300; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: June 29 – July 27
Application deadline: Rolling admissions closing on March 31
Eligibility: Middle school students, ages 11–14, with advanced skills in math
MathPath offers on-campus learning opportunities to middle schoolers using a month-long advanced math curriculum. You will explore diverse topics in advanced mathematics, including number theory, spherical geometry, and combinatorics, through small-group breakout sessions each day. You will also attend three daily Plenary lectures covering talks from professional mathematicians, communication skills for writing proofs, and the history of mathematics. To support further academic development, the program offers insights into competition math and college math exam structure. You will also engage in Q&A sessions and homework discussions with faculty.
14. Stanford seeME
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited enrollment of ~50 students
Program dates: May 17 (one-day event)
Application deadline: Rolling registration; check the site for updates
Eligibility: Current middle and high school students in the Bay Area; students from underserved schools are encouraged to apply
At seeME, you will connect with current Stanford graduate students and explore Mechanical Engineering from specialized approaches. You will attend two out of six available workshops covering areas like autonomous vehicle building, flight mechanics, computational mathematics, and biomedical engineering. The program offers mentorship to help you pursue advanced scientific coursework and a career in the sciences. You will also hear from current Stanford students, who will discuss their current academic journeys and how they navigated science education despite the structural challenges they faced.
Location: Online
Cost: $3,080
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; average class size of 16 maintained
Program dates: June 16 – 27 (Session One) | July 7 – 18 (Session Two)
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11; some courses come with academic prerequisites
If you are in 8th grade, looking to get ahead on high school-level academics, Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer opportunities to engage in advanced coursework and explore various science fields. Options span various topics, including Bioscience, Game Design, Introduction to Engineering, and Logic and Problem Solving, allowing you to explore core science fields as well as niche topics in STEM. You will study alongside current high school students from diverse backgrounds. You will attend online lectures, complete independent assignments, meet with instructors during office hours, and work on group projects with classmates.
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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