10 STEM Exploration Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 minutes ago
- 6 min read
As a middle schooler, if you are interested in STEM subjects, you can consider participating in exploration programs. These programs give you a peek inside STEM subjects and careers, helping you pave the way for college. Participating in such programs also enables you to explore different subjects and be flexible with your options before deciding on one that you want to pursue in the future.
STEM exploration programs typically involve practical activities to enhance learning and equip you with field-specific skills. You can network with professionals in the field as well as with peers. We have listed 10 such programs that are rigorous and competitive to get you started.
10 STEM Exploration Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: 8 weeks, varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Middle schoolers looking for a guided research program can consider Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton to explore academic subjects and develop a research paper. Participating in the 8-week program enables you to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. With individualized feedback and writing-coach sessions, you will not only build critical thinking skills but also improve your written scientific communication. You can conduct research in a wide range of topics, including STEM subjects. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: July (summer session) and October to May (academic year session)
Application Deadline: April 15 for summer, November 1 for academic year
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 to 12 interested in medicine or related STEM fields with at least an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science
S-PREP is a high school and college preparatory program for middle schoolers. You can hone your interests in medicine and related STEM subjects through this program. You will encounter subjects like Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Brain & Cognitive Science, Ready for PreMed, Physics, Psychology, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and Statistics. The course aims to introduce you to STEM and prepare you for further academics and a career in the field. You also receive support for SAT preparation alongside college preparation and career development workshops, college & academic counseling services, field trips, and college tours. Participating in this program makes you eligible to apply for other prestigious programs.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks on weekends (spring cohort) and 25 hours over 2 weeks on weekdays (summer cohort)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
AI is a fast-growing domain in tech. To explore the subject, you can opt for Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program. Designed for beginners, you will establish foundational knowledge of AI and machine learning. The program covers topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. In the practical component, you will apply your theoretical learnings to a project. This project can be of your choosing wherein you use technology to solve a real-world challenge. Past students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: 100 dollars; waivers available for students who are economically eligible
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Held on Saturdays throughout the semester
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 12 (7th graders may apply for the academic year cycle), New York residents, with a B average in Math, Science, and English, and meeting state-determined income criteria
STEP is a pre-college program where you delve into science and mathematics. The program encourages STEM exploration by providing lab-based practical and research training. You will attend classes in core subjects and prepare for the Regents exam. Math classes include Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus AB, and Calculus BC. You also prepare for standardized tests, receive counseling for college admissions, and participate in career development activities.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 7 to 11
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders
The week-long SEE program is for students who wish to pursue engineering. You can opt for the Making & Engineering track for middle schoolers. During the week, you will complete two hands-on projects. The first is a group project that fosters collaboration skills. The second is an individual or small-group project where you will test your knowledge and creativity. The hands-on experience facilitates skill development and practical learning of engineering disciplines and the concept of design.
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Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: August 11 to 15 (rising 6th/7th graders), August 18 to 22 (rising 8th/9th graders)
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 9th grade students
This free science and engineering program is hosted at MIT. Aimed at middle schoolers, you will learn about STEM subjects and participate in hands-on activities. The program is designed and conducted by MIT undergraduates who also act as mentors and guide you throughout the program. Participating in this program gives you a taste of college life and prepares you to embark on a career in STEM. You will receive the opportunity to network with undergraduates and your peers.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 7 to August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders who are residents of NYC
SoSC is a merit-based program for you to learn about technology and sustainable cities. The course curriculum teaches coding, microcontroller programming, electronics, and circuitry basics. You will also delve into environmental and urban science in NYC. You will apply these learnings to work in a group and develop a smart city technology that solves a real-world challenge. This project is demonstrated at the culminating presentation session.
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots
Dates: June 9 to 13
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 and 8
Purdue University’s Physics Inside Out program is held every summer for middle school students curious about physics. You will discover the fundamental principles of physics from the nano to the astro and how they are applied in the real world through practical experiences. You can expect to conduct lab-based research activities. Faculty and professionals talk about their careers to demonstrate the various pathways you can choose from. You also tour the campus and lab facilities during the program.
Location: United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 2 to 6 (6th and 7th graders), June 9 to 13 (8th and 9th graders)
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 9 who are U.S. citizens
This STEM program for middle and high school students involves workshops and activities. You will complete inquiry-based projects to gain a deeper understanding of STEM subjects. These activities are a solid way for you to interact and network with like-minded peers while building skills. The workshops are led by academy faculty and USMA cadet mentors. This is a fully-funded program, and meals are provided.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: 400 to 650 dollars; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly programs in June and July
Application Deadline: First come, first served
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 8th graders
A summer program for middle schoolers, CEISMC Summer Peaks helps you broaden your knowledge of STEAM subjects. During the one- or two-week programs, you will complete experiential activities that sharpen your problem-solving skills. The theme for each course and age group may vary. The courses are delivered by a mixture of Georgia Tech faculty/staff, Georgia Tech students, and area science, technology, engineering, arts, and math teachers.
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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