15 STEM Programs for Middle School Students in New York City (NYC)
- Stephen Turban
- 7 hours ago
- 10 min read
New York City is an ideal place for middle schoolers with a passion for science, technology, engineering, or math to begin exploring STEM fields. It is home to world-renowned universities, research centers, museums, and tech-driven organizations that offer enriching summer programs tailored specifically for curious and motivated students in grades 6–8. These programs don’t just help you learn, they give you real-world exposure to fields like robotics, neuroscience, environmental science, and coding. You’ll build critical skills, work on exciting hands-on projects, and even get the chance to interact with professionals in the field - all of which make for a strong foundation as you begin building your academic and career path.
Exploring a STEM summer program in middle school helps you try out new interests in a structured and immersive environment. To help you make the most of your time, we’ve curated a list of the top STEM programs in NYC that are ideal for middle school students. Each program on this list is either free or offers financial aid, is backed by a prestigious institution like Columbia, NYU, or the American Museum of Natural History, and provides a rigorous, mentorship-driven experience. Whether you're looking to code your first game, study biology in a university lab, or build your own robot, these programs will challenge and inspire you in the best way.
Cost:Â $2,400 (financial aid available)
Location (in NYC):Â Online (open to NYC students and global applicants)
Dates:Â The program runs for 8 weeks, with multiple cohorts offered throughout the year.Â
Application Deadline:Â Applications are accepted year-round for different cohorts. The deadline for Summer Cohort II is May 20.
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8; admissions based on application and interview; financial aid available for low-income students
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a selective 8-week online research experience where middle school students (grades 6–8) work 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors from top global universities. Designed for intellectually curious and ambitious learners, the program offers structured guidance across STEM and social science disciplines. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore multiple topics, select a focus area, and build a capstone research project—often involving data analysis, literature review, or creative problem-solving. The curriculum emphasizes academic research skills, mentorship, and personalized learning. Students receive detailed feedback, a certificate of completion, and may go on to submit their work to academic journals or competitions.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend; some programs offer stipends
Location (in NYC):Â NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Downtown Brooklyn, NY
Dates: Programs run during summer and throughout the academic year; each program has specific start/end dates (typically 3–7 weeks for summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by program; summer program deadlines typically fall in March–May
Eligibility: Open to middle school students (grades 6–8) attending school or residing in NYC
The NYU Tandon Center for K12 STEM Education offers a range of free and immersive STEM programs for middle school students across NYC. Programs include hands-on summer courses focused on coding, robotics, environmental science, and data science, taught by faculty and Ph.D. mentors. The curriculum connects real-world innovation with classroom learning, often centered around NYC-specific challenges like smart cities and wearable tech. You will receive individualized attention in small cohorts, and many programs are designed to serve underrepresented communities in STEM.Â
Cost/stipend:Â FreeÂ
Location (in NYC):Â Online; open to eligible NYC students
Dates:
Summer: July 7–25 (weekdays, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM PT)
Fall: August 27–December 10 (Wednesdays, 4:15–5:15 PM PT)
Application Deadline:Â March 20
Eligibility:Â Students currently in grades 6 or 7; must attend school and reside in the U.S.; household income typically under $90,000
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a selective, tuition-free academic enrichment program for current 6th and 7th graders from low-income backgrounds across the U.S., including New York City. The program begins with a three-week live online summer course, followed by weekly virtual enrichment sessions in the fall. You’ll explore subjects such as academic writing, growth mindset, and math enrichment in small cohorts led by Stanford Online High School faculty. The program is designed to build a strong academic foundation for admission to rigorous high schools, including Stanford OHS, and encourages students to apply to selective academic opportunities.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend; summer research stipends available via Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), where eligible
Location (in NYC): City College of New York
Dates:
Summer Program: Mondays–Thursdays, 9 AM – 4 PM, 4–5 weeks
Fall/Spring Program: After-school or Saturday sessions (varies by term)
Application Deadline: Varies by season (early application encouraged; multi-session commitment for test prep starts in March for spring)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 (must reside in or attend school in any of NYC’s five boroughs)
The CCNY STEM Institute offers free STEM programs for middle school students across NYC, with a focus on hands-on learning, research exposure, and foundational academic skills. You can explore subjects like app design, robotics, algebra, chemistry, and physics through structured after-school, weekend, and summer classes. The curriculum includes research projects with final presentations, and students receive ongoing academic support through instructors and teaching assistants. Programs are hosted at the City College of New York and aim to prepare you for advanced coursework and competitive high school admissions. SHSAT prep, Regents prep, and enrichment courses are also available for grades 6–8.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend; includes meals and public transportation
Location (in NYC):Â NYU campus, Manhattan
Dates: July 7–August 1 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM–2:30 PM); additional Saturday sessions during school year
Application Deadline:Â March 31
Eligibility: Students currently in 7th or 8th grade attending a NYC public school; focus on under-resourced, first-gen, or historically excluded students
NYU’s College & Career Lab (CCL) is a free six-year academic enrichment program for under-resourced middle school students attending NYC public schools. The program begins in the summer after 7th grade with a four-week exploratory stage that introduces students to college-level topics in STEM, law, business, health sciences, and the arts through hands-on workshops and lectures taught by NYU faculty. Participants explore careers, connect with mentors, and visit various professional environments across NYC. CCL continues into high school with academic-year practice labs and immersive summer experiences. Meals and MTA transport are provided.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend; research add-ons like BRAINYAC may include stipends
Location (in NYC):Â Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Manhattan
Dates:
Summer: July (Mon–Fri, 10 AM–2 PM)
Academic Year: October–May (Saturdays, 9 AM–3 PM)
Application Deadline: Varies annually; typically opens in spring
Eligibility: NYC students currently in grades 7–12; interest in STEM or medicine encouraged
S-PREP, run by Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, is a free enrichment program for students in grades 7–12 interested in STEM and health careers. The program includes a four-week summer session (Monday to Friday, 10 AM–2 PM) and a Saturday academic-year program (October to May) focused on advanced STEM coursework such as anatomy, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, and calculus. You will also receive SAT/PSAT prep, college counseling, field trips, and access to partner research programs like BRAINYAC and YES in the Heights. S-PREP prioritizes students from underrepresented backgrounds in science and medicine.
Cost/stipend:Â Free; full scholarship
Location (in NYC):Â NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Dates: July 8–August 4; Orientation on June 28
Application Deadline:Â April 29
Eligibility: NYC residents aged 12–14 with strong academic performance and interest in science
SONYC is a STEM summer program hosted by NYU that introduces NYC middle schoolers to the science of sound and urban noise pollution. Designed for students ages 12–14, the program explores how sound travels and how scientists use sensors, microcontrollers, and coding to address public health and urban design challenges. You will conduct hands-on research, build noise-monitoring devices, and create smart city technologies. The program culminates in a final expo presentation. You will also engage in improv-based communication workshops led by theater professionals, blending technical learning with public speaking skills.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend
Location (in NYC):Â Baruch College, Manhattan
Dates: July 7–31
Application Deadline:Â May 1 (priority), May 15 (regular)
Eligibility:Â Middle and high school students in NYC; under NY State STEP eligibility guidelines
The Baruch College STEP Academy is a free STEM enrichment program for middle and high school students in NYC, funded by the New York State Education Department. You will participate in a four-week summer program that offers hands-on workshops and academic courses in math, science, SAT prep, and college readiness. Designed to support students from underrepresented backgrounds, the program helps build a strong foundation for future STEM careers through interactive learning and early exposure to a college environment. Participants benefit from a structured curriculum and personalized guidance while exploring real-world applications of STEM.
Cost/stipend:Â Full scholarship (free to attend)
Location (in NYC):Â NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Dates: July 8–August 2; Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Application Deadline:Â April 29
Eligibility: NYC students ages 12–14 with a strong academic record and interest in STEM
The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program at NYU introduces middle school students in NYC to engineering, environmental science, and computer science through the lens of urban innovation. You will explore coding, circuitry, microcontrollers, and real-world sustainability challenges while working in teams to design and build practical tech solutions. You’ll gain hands-on experience with sensors and smart systems and present your final projects at an end-of-program expo. The curriculum also includes improv-based communication training through Irondale, helping you build public speaking and collaboration skills in a creative setting.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend; includes meals, field trips, and transportation
Location (in NYC):Â Day program held in New York City; residential program outside the city
Dates: Typically held in July–August; exact dates not yet published
Application Deadline:Â Applications open in February and close in March
Eligibility:Â 6th or 7th grade students from NYC with interest and aptitude in math; focus on students from low-income backgrounds
BEAM is a free summer program for NYC middle schoolers who enjoy problem-solving and want to explore advanced mathematics. Designed for students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, BEAM offers a rigorous curriculum in math through puzzles, logic, and creative reasoning. The program admits rising 7th graders for a five-week summer day program in NYC, and rising 8th graders for a three-week residential program outside the city. All meals, activities, and transportation are included, and the experience serves as the first step in a 10-year pathway of math enrichment, mentorship, and academic guidance.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend
Location (in NYC):Â New York University, Manhattan
Dates: Summer program typically held in July–August; academic year runs during the school year (exact dates vary)
Application Deadline:Â April 25 (for summer); rolling admissions
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 7–12 with a B average in Math, Science, and English; must meet NY State income criteria and reside in New York State
The NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) is a state-funded enrichment initiative for New York State students in grades 7–12 who are interested in STEM, health professions, or licensed careers. The program offers academic year and summer sessions that include coursework in science, math, and college readiness, along with support services like tutoring and mentoring. You will attend lectures, workshops, and hands-on labs to strengthen your academic skills and prepare for competitive college admissions. The program focuses on increasing access for low-income and first-generation college students.
Cost/stipend:Â $700 tuition; no stipend
Location (in NYC):Â Online; open to NYC students
Dates:Â 9-week spring program; upcoming session dates to be announced
Application Deadline:Â To be announced
Eligibility:Â Students currently in grades 7 or 8 with demonstrated interest in advanced mathematics
NYU’s Math Program for Young Minds is a 9-week online enrichment program designed for middle school students in grades 7 and 8 who demonstrate a strong aptitude and interest in mathematics. The curriculum includes topics such as number theory, topology, and geometry, emphasizing logical thinking, proof strategies, and abstract reasoning. Weekly classes include collaborative group work, challenging problem sets, and opportunities for deeper discussion. The program aims to create a mathematically rich environment where students can engage with peers who share their enthusiasm for math and expand their exposure to collegiate-level thinking. While the program is open to all eligible students, it encourages applications from academically strong students in under-resourced communities.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend
Location (in NYC):Â Online; open to NYC students and others worldwide
Dates:Â Fall cohort begins in September.Â
 Application Deadline: Application window: March 27–July 1
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (typically ages 13–17); NYC residents eligible to apply
The Junior Academy is an international, project-based STEM program for middle and high school students offered by the New York Academy of Sciences. Through a virtual platform called Launchpad, accepted students join global teams to solve real-world challenges in science and technology, guided by expert mentors from academia and industry. You will participate in a preparatory kickoff week focused on research methods, design thinking, and data analysis, then collaborate over several weeks to create innovative solutions. The program is designed for curious, motivated learners and includes a competitive selection process.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend
Location (in NYC):Â Various cultural and STEM institutions citywide
Dates: Various weeks between July 10–August 18
Application Deadline:Â April 24
Eligibility: NYC public and charter school students entering grades 1–9 in September; middle schoolers apply through a lottery system
STEM Matters NYC is a citywide initiative that provides free, hands-on summer enrichment experiences for students in NYC public and charter schools. Middle school students entering grades 6–8 can apply for one-week camps hosted at leading STEM-focused institutions across all five boroughs. From exploring marine biology at the New York Aquarium to experimenting with robotics, coding, environmental science, and engineering at museums and science centers, each program is designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding through real-world, project-based learning. You will collaborate with professionals, participate in interactive labs and field experiences, and engage with cutting-edge tools and concepts in science and technology. Programs are selected through a lottery.
Cost/stipend:Â Free to attend
Location (in NYC):Â Afterschool sites across NYC public schools and community centers
Dates:Â School-year program; weekly sessions throughout the academic year
Application Deadline:Â Varies by site or partner; typically handled through school or after-school provider
Eligibility:Â NYC middle school students; enrollment through participating schools or community programs
Offered by the New York Academy of Sciences, the Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program brings real-world science and engineering experiences directly to NYC middle school students. Held during the academic year, this initiative pairs students with early-career scientists and STEM professionals who lead engaging, hands-on sessions in local after-school programs. Topics range across biology, physics, chemistry, and environmental science, with a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry and experimentation. The program aims to build scientific literacy, encourage curiosity, and introduce students to STEM careers in a relatable, mentorship-driven environment. It’s designed to be fun, accessible, and educational for middle schoolers of all backgrounds.
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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