15 STEM Opportunities for Middle School Students

If you are a middle school student eager to explore STEM, the right program can offer accessible (and affordable) opportunities to learn core STEM skills beyond the classroom. Whether it is a STEM program, competition, bootcamp, or course, these opportunities in STEM combine advanced academics with practical skills, exposure to industry practices, and early networking opportunities. As a participant, you will also get to explore career paths in STEM and define your academic and professional goals. 

The most impactful opportunities, such as the ones on this list, tend to be rigorous, backed by prestigious organizations, and able to offer access to expert mentors and like-minded peers. Some are highly competitive, with low acceptance rates, while others are relatively less selective but still deliver valuable learning experiences. You can find a program that best suits your needs and interests, and develop useful skills along the way.

To help you get started, we have selected 15 STEM opportunities for middle school students. 

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program pairs you one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from institutions like Harvard or MIT to explore a subject of your choice. Over eight weeks, you will investigate multiple topics, then pick one of them to build your own research project, all while developing critical skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and scientific communication. You will explore advanced areas like computer science, artificial intelligence, biology, economics, psychology, and engineering while also exploring foundational research skills. You can find more details in the program brochure here.

2. MIT dynaMIT

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus, Cambridge, MA

Cost: Free

Dates: Rising 6th and 7th graders: August 11 – 15 | Rising 8th and 9th graders: August 18 – 22

Application Deadline: Not mentioned

Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9

Hosted by MIT, dynaMIT is a week-long STEM program that allows middle schoolers to explore various fields through activities and instruction. You will dive into hands-on activities, team challenges, and interactive projects that connect classroom learning to real-world applications. You will also get the chance to explore MIT’s research labs, collaborate with mentors, and tackle problem-solving tasks alongside peers. The program ends with a project showcase, offering you experience in scientific communication, teamwork, and presentation. Beyond academics, dynaMIT offers a glimpse into MIT’s culture of innovation.

3. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Dates: Multiple cohorts available each year

Application deadline: Varies by cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

The Veritas AI Trailblazers Program is a 25-hour virtual learning experience that introduces middle school students to Python, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Run by Harvard graduates, the program offers a beginner-friendly introduction to AI, making it accessible for students with no coding experience. Over 10 sessions, you will join small group classes with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, attending lectures and engaging in interactive coding practice. Each session typically includes 1.5 hours of instruction followed by 1 hour of guided group work. The curriculum covers topics like data analysis, regression, neural networks, image classification, and AI ethics. You will work on group projects, applying newly learned concepts under the guidance of a mentor. 

4. NYU’s Sounds of New York City (SONYC)

Location: Andries Hudde Junior High IS 240 and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: Free

Application deadline: May 15

Dates: July 7 – August 1

Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders who are residents of NYC

SONYC is a four-week program that engages middle schoolers in the study of noise pollution through the development of smart, electronic solutions. During the program, you will learn about the public health consequences of sound and design and build devices that produce and track sound. You will develop smart city technologies that address real-world problems while exploring the fields of engineering, physical sciences, and computer sciences. In the process, you will build programming and coding skills, learn about concepts like waves and sound, and learn how to work with microcontrollers, sensors, circuitry, and electronics. You will present your project at the end of the program. 

5. NAWCAD Computer Coding & Engineering Exploration Camps

Location: Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD

Cost: Free

Dates: Various one-week sessions 

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Computer Coding: Students entering grades 7–9 | Engineering Exploration Experience: Students entering grades 5–8

NAWCAD offers two STEM summer camps to middle schoolers, providing them with hands-on STEM learning experiences in a real engineering and research environment. In the Computer Coding Camp, you build practical skills in computer programming, while in the Engineering Exploration Camp, you will dive into core engineering concepts through interactive challenges. Both camps are fully funded, making them accessible for students passionate about STEM and eager to explore a military-scientific setting. You will also explore naval careers at camp. You can learn more about camp registration here.

6. Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge

Location: Local fairs + national finals week in Washington, D.C.

Cost: Free entry through qualifying science fairs

Dates: September 3 – October 28. Check the official site for nominations.

Application deadline: Application period: February 1 – June 11.

Eligibility: Middle school students nominated at affiliated regional or state science fairs

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge is a national STEM competition for middle school students. Your journey will begin at regional or state science fairs, such as the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair (WSSEF), where selected students will be nominated to apply to the national event. At the fair, you will work on a science project that tackles a real problem. Each year, up to 30 national finalists earn an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., along with opportunities to win valuable prizes and recognition. Past winners have received unique honors, such as the chance to name an asteroid. With a focus on exploration, the Junior Innovators Challenge offers a platform to showcase your ideas while connecting with peers from around the country.

7. Middle School Mash-Up Drone & Robotics Summer Program

Location: Seneca Ridge Homes, Germantown, MD

Cost: $25

Dates: August 4 – 8

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

The Middle School Mash-Up Drone Robotics Summer Program is a one-week program focusing on coding and robotics. Here, you will join a cohort of 20 students and spend the week exploring drone technology and applying engineering concepts through projects. The program combines classroom instruction with off-site STEM-focused experiences that allow you to see how robotics applies in real-world settings. You will get to build technical, problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking skills in the process. Led by Escape Velocity Academy, the program allows you to explore emerging technologies in an engaging, accessible environment.

8. Patriots Technology Training Center’s STEM Summer Camp

Location: The Patriots Technology Gymnasium, Seat Pleasant, MD

Cost: Free

Dates: July 7 – August 16

Application Deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Middle schoolers from Prince George’s County

This free STEM Summer Camp offers Prince George’s County middle school students a hands-on introduction to high-demand STEM careers. The program combines competitions, workshops, mentoring, and field trips to help you explore a wide range of career pathways.

You will explore roles in STEM fields like coding and programming, aerospace and aviation, video production, biomedical sciences, gaming, and AI/cybersecurity. Beyond technical skill-building, the camp focuses on personal growth, offering opportunities to build your resume and develop teamwork and leadership skills. This program is designed to boost your college and career readiness while you engage in STEM learning experiences. 

9. Penn GEMS: Engineering, Math, and Science Camp

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $650

Dates: June 22 – 26

Application Deadline: March 3

Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders from Philadelphia-area schools

Penn GEMS is a week-long, day-only camp at the University of Pennsylvania for middle school students interested in engineering, math, and science. You will spend the week engaging in projects, challenging problem-solving tasks, and workshops led by Penn faculty, researchers, and students. The program introduces you to fields such as bioengineering, robotics, computer science (including AI), mechanical and electrical engineering, and materials science. As a participant, you will build teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills while exploring real-world engineering problems. The camp also emphasizes mentorship, giving you the chance to learn directly from Penn scholars and make new connections with peers who share your interests. 

10. The Lawrence Teen Research Programs: Coding & Engineering Nano-Satellites

Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Cost: $1,465 + residential tuition: $1,255

Dates: June 23 – 27 | July 7 – 11 | July 21 – 25

Application Deadline: Varies by session

Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 9

UC Berkeley’s The Lawrence Hall of Science offers various camp-like programs to students, of which the Coding & Engineering Nano-Satellites track gives you the chance to explore space through the lens of coding and engineering. Over the course of one week, you will learn block-based coding and use it to design and program your own nanosatellite model. Those with some coding experience can use Python or JavaScript, as the program caters to different skill levels. Activities include daily puzzles, design challenges, and a planetarium satellite show, as well as opportunities to interact with STEM professionals and college students. At the end of the program, you will present your own satellite project to family members and peers. The optional residential format provides a full campus experience, with evening programs, guest speakers, and additional career exploration opportunities.

11. Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research Summer Workshops

Location: Online and at various university campuses

Cost: Varies by workshop format

Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the summer

Application deadline: Not mentioned

Eligibility: Middle school and high school students

The Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research offers summer workshops for students interested in medicine, molecular biology, and biomedical research. The workshops cover topics like molecular biology of cancer, molecular neuroscience, molecular immunology, and medicinal chemistry. Each workshop combines lectures with lab work/research projects, allowing you to explore how diseases develop at the molecular level and how scientists design treatments. The workshops are led by Ph.D.-level instructors who introduce you to advanced concepts typically reserved for college classrooms. Depending on the workshop you choose, you may attend in-person residential sessions on university campuses or participate in online formats.

12. CompSciConnect @ University of Maryland

Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Cost: $400 for two weeks of camp

Dates: Two-week summer sessions + school-year meetings

Application deadline: Applications are open from January – March each year

Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders 

CompSciConnect is a three-year program designed to introduce middle school students from underrepresented groups to computer science. During the program, you will advance through different tracks—Yellow, which covers Scratch programming, Red, which covers web design with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and Terp, which covers 3D game design.

Along with programming, you will learn about cybersecurity and online safety, cryptology, number systems, logic, and broader computer skills. The program curriculum focuses on how these skills connect to real-world applications and the role of computing in making a positive impact. Instruction is led by University of Maryland undergraduate students, who will guide you through projects. Many graduates of the program stay connected with the Computing Catalyst community and join as teaching assistants later on.

13. University of Maryland’s SECURE IT

Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD, or North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Cost: $400; financial aid available

Dates: One-week summer camp

Application deadline: Rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders

The SECURE IT program introduces middle schoolers to the world of cybersecurity. Hosted by the Secure Software Supply Chain Center at the University of Maryland and North Carolina State University, the program blends design thinking with technical training. Over the course of one week, you will dive into topics like Linux, computer networking, and adversarial thinking through activities and guided instruction. What makes SECURE IT unique is its extended learning model, which allows you to return after the summer program during the school year for monthly workshops that deepen your understanding of cybersecurity. 

14. Johns Hopkins APL STEM Academy Ignite

Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Laurel, MD

Cost: $39/course

Dates: Vary per session

Application deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; priority consideration for Maryland students

Johns Hopkins’ APL STEM Academy Ignite program offers middle schoolers various STEM courses. You will explore subjects typically found in high school STEM tracks, including programming, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and applied sciences. Each six-week course meets once per week in the evening at APL’s Laurel campus. Courses are project-based and encourage teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. Offerings vary by session but may include courses like Code Quest: Scratch Adventures, Junior Detectives: The Science of Solving Crimes, Code Quest with micro:bit, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) & You. 

15. Young Scientists Camp @ California State University, Long Beach 

Location: California State University, Long Beach campus, Long Beach, CA

Cost: $500 with a $25 sibling discount available

Dates: July 14 – 25

Application Deadline: TBA

Eligibility: Students in grades 2–8

The Young Scientists Camp is a two-week program for students interested in engaging in science-based activities and learning how to think like scientists. Here, you will conduct scientific investigations, work in laboratories, and interact with scientists. You will focus on a broad topic in science assigned based on your grade level. In the past, the program has offered topics like ocean science and fundamentals of light and sound. At camp, you will also engage in field trips to engage in scientific exploration.

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.

Image Source - University of Pennsylvania logo