10 Social Science Programs for Middle Schoolers
- Stephen Turban
- 16 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Social science programs for middle school students offer an exceptional opportunity to explore the world beyond textbooks, diving into psychology, history, philosophy, politics, and human behavior through real-world application. These programs provide early exposure to college-level academics and campus life, helping you build critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that serve you in any field. Beyond academics, you gain practical experience through projects, simulations, and group discussions, often mentored by university faculty or researchers. Many programs also encourage interdisciplinary exploration, linking social studies with technology, ethics, and global issues, all without the heavy cost of traditional pre-college programs.
For students passionate about understanding people, society, and culture, these programs can be a meaningful starting point and a strong addition to future scholarship or research applications. In this list, we’ve curated the best social science programs for middle school students based on rigor, academic credibility, and student outcomes. Each program stands out for its selective admission, expert instruction, and the networking opportunities it offers with peers and mentors from top institutions.
10 Social Science Programs for Middle Schoolers
Location: Online (Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers; HQ – Wilmington, DE)
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: 8 weeks (rolling cohorts throughout the year)
Application Deadline: Varies across different cohorts
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program pairs middle school students with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton to explore academic subjects and develop a written project. Across eight weeks, you’ll 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’ll receive individualized feedback through eight mentor sessions and two writing-coach sessions, ensuring you master both analytical and writing fundamentals. Research topics range from gene editing to behavioral economics. The program’s rigorous selection process and personalized mentorship make it one of the most competitive and enriching academic writing experiences available for middle school students. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $75; full scholarships available
Program Dates: June 23–July 30
Application Deadline: Opens in winter; typically closes in spring
Eligibility: Middle school students enrolled in New Haven public or parochial schools
The Ulysses S. Grant Foundation offers a rigorous six-week academic summer program for motivated middle school students, led by Yale undergraduates. Through coursework in the humanities and social sciences, you will strengthen analytical writing, research, and discussion skills while exploring how social systems, history, and culture shape the world around you. Classes emphasize critical inquiry, debate, and independent thought, encouraging you to connect academic study to real-world social issues. You will also engage in electives and group projects that promote collaboration and creativity. The program aims to prepare students for academic success in high school and beyond while fostering a close-knit learning community on Yale’s campus.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (non-selective)
Location: Harvard University (Online via edX), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free to audit; $149 for a verified certificate
Program Dates: February 26 – February 25
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment; open throughout the year
Eligibility: Recommended for middle school and older students interested in civics or social science
Offered by Harvard’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences, this seven-week online course introduces the foundations of American constitutional democracy. You will explore how democratic systems evolve, why rights and representation matter, and how individuals can influence public life. You’ll practice developing a civic voice by connecting personal values to broader social and political contexts. Through case studies and guided reflection, the program builds critical thinking, communication, and historical reasoning skills essential for future study in social science, law, or public policy.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (non-selective)
Location: Harvard University (Online via edX), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free to audit; $249 for a verified certificate
Program Dates: December 11 – December 10
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment; open throughout the year
Eligibility: Recommended for middle school and older students interested in social science and urban studies
This online course from Harvard’s Faculty of Arts & Sciences introduces students to the study of cities as dynamic systems of people, ideas, and infrastructure. Through global case studies, from ancient Rome to modern Mumbai, you’ll analyze how social, economic, and cultural forces shape urban life. You will explore urbanization, inequality, governance, and innovation while learning to interpret public policy through social science frameworks. The curriculum integrates perspectives from economics, sociology, history, and urban planning, encouraging you to think critically about what makes cities both thriving and challenging environments.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment (non-selective)
Location: Harvard Kennedy School (Online), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Available anytime (self-paced webinar)
Application Deadline: Rolling; open year-round
Eligibility: Recommended for advanced middle school and older students interested in international relations and public policy
Led by Professor Matthew Bunn of the Harvard Kennedy School, this free online webinar explores the global landscape of nuclear threats and the policies designed to prevent them. You will gain insight into the historical context of nuclear weapons, the role of technology in modern warfare, and the ethical challenges of deterrence and disarmament. The session combines elements of international relations, political science, and security studies to illustrate how policy and leadership shape global peace efforts. For middle schoolers with a budding interest in global studies or political science, this webinar offers an engaging first look into real-world policy analysis.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; information on exact cohort size not available
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (Hosted through Summer Discovery’s Institute for the Gifted)
Cost: Not publicly listed; need-based financial aid may be available through Summer Discovery
Program Dates: June 28 – July 10 (2 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically closes in spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 with an interest in psychology and the social sciences
Hosted at Georgetown University through the Summer Discovery Institute for the Gifted, this two-week course introduces middle school students to the science of the mind and behavior. The curriculum spans cognitive processes, developmental psychology, and mental health, guiding students from the fundamentals of perception and learning to the study of abnormal psychology. You’ll explore the psychological underpinnings of human thought, language, and emotion, and learn to analyze how internal and external factors shape behavior. Through discussions, guided projects, and case-based learning, you will gain early exposure to social science methods and leave with a completion certificate recognizing your achievement.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; students must qualify through CTY’s talent search and placement testing.
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (multiple campuses and online options)
Cost: Varies by course; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: Typically June – August (1–3 week sessions)
Application Deadline: Opens in January; deadlines vary by course and location
Eligibility: Grades 5–8; admission based on qualifying CTY test scores or academic review
CTY’s History and Social Science courses introduce middle schoolers to disciplines such as law, philosophy, economics, psychology, and global history through discussion-driven and simulation-based learning. You’ll explore topics like constitutional law, logic and reasoning, global civilizations, and social justice. Classes emphasize analytical reading, argumentation, and debate, helping you strengthen critical thinking and communication skills. You will work in small groups led by expert instructors, developing the tools to reason through complex social issues while learning to see the world through multiple disciplinary perspectives.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; used by selective schools and advanced classrooms nationwide
Location: Available across U.S. schools and as a digital program via McGraw Hill Education
Cost: School-administered; pricing varies by district; available in print and digital versions
Program Dates: Offered throughout the academic year; can also be adopted for summer enrichment
Application Deadline: Rolling, through participating schools or districts
Eligibility: Grades 6–8 students enrolled in participating schools or enrichment programs
This nationally adopted social studies curriculum immerses middle school students in U.S. and World History through an inquiry-driven framework. The Voices and Perspectives program encourages learners to analyze primary and secondary sources, debate historical events, and connect past developments to current global issues. You will engage in project-based learning, interpret data from historical documents, and participate in “Take Informed Action” activities like essays, maps, and debates. With digital tools, adaptive SmartBook lessons, and culturally responsive materials, McGraw Hill’s program empowers young scholars to think critically, communicate effectively, and understand the social and civic complexities shaping the modern world.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; class sizes are small to maintain engagement
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Tuition varies by session; financial aid options available through Summer Discovery
Program Dates: June 28 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended to secure placement
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8 with an interest in psychology or social sciences
This three-week course at UCLA introduces middle school students to the foundations of psychology through interactive classes and applied projects. You will explore cognition, development, behavior, and mental health while connecting classical psychological theories to modern-day applications. The curriculum progresses from child and adolescent psychology to adult and abnormal psychology, covering both normal behavioral development and psychological disorders. The program also introduces you to disciplines like clinical, organizational, and cognitive psychology through case studies and practical discussions. Participants gain critical thinking and research skills while earning a completion certificate and a letter of recognition for their academic achievement.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited enrollment under the Institute for the Gifted
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Tuition varies by session; financial aid options available through Summer Discovery
Program Dates: July 12 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended to secure a seat
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 meeting the Institute for the Gifted’s academic criteria
This three-week Cornell program invites gifted middle schoolers to explore the physics, philosophy, and social implications of time travel. Students examine quantum mechanics, general relativity, and paradoxes of time through a mix of theoretical discussion, problem-solving, and creative research. The course integrates debates on how time travel is represented in literature and culture, prompting students to connect scientific theory with human perception and ethics. Learners develop their own “time travel” models and present findings that reflect both analytical and imaginative reasoning. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion and a Letter of Recognition, acknowledging their academic performance and creativity.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
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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