15 STEM Summer Programs in Florida for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 11 min read
STEM summer programs can be a strong option for you as a middle school student if you want early exposure to advanced academics. By combining structured coursework with activities, STEM programs can help you build foundational skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and analytical thinking, while also introducing you to STEM applications. Many programs are hosted by universities, research institutions, or established organizations, offering you the chance to learn from experienced mentors and work alongside peers.
Why should you attend a program in Florida?
Florida offers middle schoolers access to a wide variety of programs led by research universities, marine and environmental science centers, aerospace facilities, and the state's growing technology sector. Across the state, students can explore fields such as robotics, computer science, marine biology, engineering, geospatial science, and environmental research through university-hosted camps and research-based initiatives. With a mix of day programs, residential options, and virtual offerings, Florida’s STEM programs are accessible to both local students and those traveling from out of state.
To help you identify opportunities, we have narrowed down 15 STEM summer programs in Florida for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
15 STEM Summer Programs in Florida for Middle School Students
Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: None; lunch provided on select days
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited to ~10 students
Dates: June 30 – July 3
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
This program is funded by the National Science Foundation and designed to introduce you to crystallization science through interactive lectures, lab tours, and hands-on experiments. You will explore how crystals form across disciplines such as chemistry, physics, geology, and engineering, with a strong emphasis on biomineralization and marine science. During the program, you will use advanced microscopes to examine corals, mollusk shells, leaf structures, and other biological materials at the nanoscale. You will also participate in activities like growing geodes and creating crystal gardens, helping you connect scientific concepts to tangible outcomes. The program combines discussions on nanotechnology, environmental impacts, and STEM career pathways, giving you early exposure to research-based science.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited to small cohorts for individualized mentorship
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week virtual research experience designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of academic research at an early stage. In this program, you work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor to explore a topic of your choice and develop an independent research project. Your mentor will support you throughout the process, helping you refine a research question, evaluate sources, and organize your findings in a structured way. Mentors are affiliated with institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale, offering exposure to rigorous academic standards across disciplines. As you progress, you build skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent inquiry, which are essential for future STEM learning. By the end of the program, you will have completed a polished research project that reflects your interests and newly developed research abilities.
Location: Emergent Technologies Institute at the Florida Gulf Coast University campus, Fort Myers, FL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Summer Research Opportunity is a two-week research-focused program for middle school students hosted by the Whitaker Institute for STEM Education at Florida Gulf Coast University. As a participant, you will join a cohort of peers to work on a research project, starting from hypothesis formulation and experimental design to data collection and interpretation. You will also participate in fieldwork and lab experiments under the guidance of FGCU faculty and student mentors. The projects are focused on scientific themes that connect classroom concepts to real-world applications, such as examining soil and skeletal patterns. The free program for middle school students in Florida ends with presentations where you will share your findings with peers and faculty.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; small-group learning with an approximate 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: Summer cohort: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays) | Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to the core concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning through a structured, project-based virtual curriculum. Over the course of 25 hours, you will learn Python fundamentals and explore topics such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Instruction is delivered through live lectures and collaborative group sessions, allowing you to engage directly with mentors and peers. You will apply what you learn by working on hands-on projects, such as building machine learning models to classify music genres or designing algorithms that recommend customized educational resources. The small student-to-mentor ratio ensures personalized feedback and consistent academic support.
Location: DeLand High School; Galaxy Middle School; Mainland High School; Pine Ridge High School; T. Dewitt Taylor Middle–High School, FL
Cost: Free; transportation, breakfast, and lunch provided at no cost
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies by site
Dates: Summer session dates vary by location (held during the summer break)
Application deadline: Registration required; deadlines shared through the Summer STEM information request form
Eligibility: Middle school students enrolled at participating Volusia County middle schools
The VCS Summer STEM Program is a district-run, hands-on summer initiative designed to introduce you to a wide range of STEM concepts through project-based learning. During the program, you will explore areas such as game coding and design, robotics engineering, electronics, and applied engineering projects. Activities combine technical skill-building with experimentation, problem-solving, and collaboration. You may also participate in specialized experiences such as FIRST Robotics activities, robot competitions, and learning through mobile STEM resources like the Secondary STEM Bus. The program emphasizes accessibility, providing free transportation and meals so you can focus fully on learning and exploration. Through these experiences, you can gain early exposure to STEM pathways while working alongside peers in a supportive, school-based environment.
Location: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited capacity
Dates: One-day sessions throughout the year
Application deadline: Open until full
Eligibility: Regional middle school students
The GEMS program is a hands-on STEM experience designed to spark your interest in technical fields through interactive learning. During the program, you will engage in activities led by professionals and undergraduate facilitators who will serve as mentors and role models. You explore a range of STEM disciplines, with past activities spanning fields like bioengineering, chemistry, biotechnology, forensics, astronomy, civil engineering, and environmental science. The program emphasizes learning by doing, allowing you to experiment with concepts and develop problem-solving skills in a supportive environment. By interacting with mentors and peers, you will gain early exposure to STEM pathways and higher education opportunities.
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Cost: $300 program fee + $25 application fee
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Florida students entering grades 7 – 8 in the fall
UF Gator Labs is a five-day, in-person STEM day camp designed to introduce you to a wide range of scientific fields through hands-on, grade-appropriate exploration. Hosted by the University of Florida’s Center for Precollegiate Education and Training, the program allows you to work alongside undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty researchers on campus. You will explore scientific concepts ranging from microorganisms to galaxies, gaining exposure to how research is conducted in a university setting. The program is offered in collaboration with the Florida Museum of Natural History, featuring a thematic focus on butterflies and moths, blending biology, ecology, and environmental science. Much of the learning takes place outdoors and across UF’s campus, encouraging observation, inquiry, and collaboration. While not accelerated, the program emphasizes experiential learning and helps you build curiosity, scientific thinking, and confidence in STEM disciplines.
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: TBA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~30 students/session
Dates: June 8 – 12 | June 22 – 26
Application deadline: Registration opens February 1; enrollment is rolling until sessions fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8
The USF Middle School Cybersecurity Camp introduces you to the fundamentals of cybersecurity through a structured, five-day, hands-on learning experience. Throughout the program, you will explore how personal data is created, shared, and protected, and learn how online communities and digital systems function. Each day focuses on a different theme, including data privacy, cloud computing, password security, threat recognition, and responsible use of artificial intelligence. You will participate in interactive challenges and problem-solving activities that help you understand why cybersecurity matters in everyday life. The curriculum is structured to help you learn about responsible digital citizenship while building foundational knowledge in computer science and information security.
Location: University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Cost: $375
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited to 30 students
Dates: One week in summer; dates to be announced
Application deadline: Applications open in the spring; exact deadline to be announced
Eligibility: Rising 6th and 7th grade students; teacher recommendation required
The Geo Explorer Summer Institute is a one-week, in-person STEM program that introduces you to geospatial science and mapping technologies through hands-on learning. During the program, you will explore topics such as geography, geospatial analysis, virtual and augmented reality, and drone technology through a combination of interactive lectures, lab activities, and fieldwork on UCF’s main campus. You work closely with UCF undergraduate and graduate students, receiving direct mentorship while collaborating with peers on research planning and science communication activities. You will also gain exposure to specialized resources such as UCF’s GeoBus, which supports mobile geospatial learning experiences. The program also offers a clearer understanding of how geographic and spatial technologies are used in modern science and industry.
Location: University of Central Florida (L3Harris Engineering Center), Orlando, FL
Cost: $200, which includes lunch, materials, and a program T-shirt; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; limited seats with rolling invitations
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Applications open March 4; invitations released on a rolling basis, with final materials due on June 1
Eligibility: Rising 6th and 7th-grade students
GLAMPing Camp is a week-long, in-person day program designed to introduce you to engineering, making, and leadership through hands-on learning. During the program, you will explore multiple engineering disciplines while working in lab and makerspace environments on UCF’s main campus. You will participate in creative STEM challenges involving experimentation, problem-solving, and learning from failure as part of the engineering design process. In addition to technical skill-building, the program emphasizes leadership development, self-esteem, and collaboration, helping you build confidence in both academic and personal settings. Activities are structured to be interactive and grade-appropriate, with guidance from experienced instructors and mentors.
Location: Pinellas County Schools, FL (Carwise Middle School; Osceola Middle School; Thurgood Marshall Middle School)
Cost: $75/session or $25 per session for students eligible for free or reduced-price meals
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Varies by site
Dates: July 7 – 10 | July 14 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment until sessions are full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 and 7
The STEM Summer Innovation Camp is a hands-on, exploratory program designed to help you engage with STEM concepts through themed, project-based learning. You can enroll in one or both weeks of the camp, depending on availability, with each week focused on a different set of STEM topics. During STEAM Week, you will explore the intersection of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through activities such as 3D printing, makerspace art projects, and introductory electronics using tools like Chibitronics. During Energy Week, you will investigate how different energy systems work by experimenting with magnetic levitation, solar and electrical energy, rocketry, and motion-based challenges. Both tracks emphasize creativity, experimentation, and problem-solving through guided, age-appropriate activities.
Location: State College of Florida, Manatee–Sarasota, FL
Cost: Not publicly listed
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Introduction to Robotics: June 9 – 14 | Fab to Finishing: June 16 – 21
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment until sessions fill
Eligibility: Middle school students interested in engineering, robotics, or programming
The SCF Coding Academy STEM Programs offer you a hands-on introduction to engineering and technology through short, skills-focused summer sessions. In the Introduction to Robotics program, you will explore the basics of robotics by working with hardware, sensors, and introductory programming concepts in an interactive learning environment. The Fab to Finishing session introduces you to the engineering design process, guiding you from idea generation to building and refining physical or digital projects. Each program emphasizes problem-solving, creativity, and experimentation through guided activities and weekly challenges.
Location: Virtual (instructor-led)
Cost: Not publicly listed
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer sessions running for three or six weeks; dates vary
Application deadline: Rolling registration until sessions fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 1 – 8
The USF Virtual Summer Bridge Math Program is designed to help students maintain and strengthen math skills over the summer through live, interactive online classes. Designed to prevent the common “summer slide” or academic setback in math, this program lets you review key concepts you have learned previously and prepare for the grade you are entering in the fall. Each session is led by experienced instructors who will guide you through engaging tasks that align with widely used math standards, covering topics such as number operations, fractions, ratios, expressions, equations, and data, depending on your grade level. You will participate in sessions through an online portal without needing special software, and find opportunities to interact and complete activities live with your instructor. Pre-recorded versions of each session are available so you can review lessons at your own pace, and supplementary practice problems help reinforce learning outside class time.
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Cost: $999.99
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: ~30 students/session
Dates: June 15 – 19 or July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Registration opens February 1; enrollment is rolling until sessions fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8
The USF Middle School Robotics Camp offers you a hands-on introduction to robotics through a week-long experience hosted by the USF College of Engineering. During the camp, you will design, build, and program your own Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) using Arduino microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. You will also explore 3D printing fundamentals to create and assemble robot components, combining engineering concepts with practical problem-solving. The program introduces you to industrial robotics through guided work with ABB ROBOTSTUDIO in USF’s advanced engineering labs, giving you exposure to real-world applications of robotics technology. Throughout the week, you will complete programming challenges that test your robot’s ability to navigate and interact with its environment. At the end of camp, you will leave with your robot, programming files, and robotics kit, allowing you to continue exploring robotics beyond the classroom.
Location: Ransom Everglades School, Miami, FL
Cost: $1,350 or $1,500, based on the session; optional before-care ($80/session) and after-care ($50/session) available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Limited enrollment; ~80 students/session
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – June 26 | Session 2: June 29 – July 10 | Session 3: July 13 – 24
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment until sessions fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5 – 8
Explorers Academy is a middle school day camp that blends hands-on STEM learning with enrichment, creativity, and outdoor exploration. Through a flexible “Build-Your-Own-Camp” model, you will customize part of your daily schedule by selecting activities aligned with your interests, ranging from STEM and makerspace labs to academic enrichment and creative electives. You will participate in hands-on experiences in the DREAM Lab, where you will work with robotics kits, apply basic coding concepts, use drones, practice 3D printing, and engage in marine science and environmental learning on Biscayne Bay. The program also offers interdisciplinary tracks covering speech and debate, math foundations, language arts enrichment, and experiential learning activities. Each session includes daily activity rotations, collaborative group work, and one off-campus field trip, such as a snorkeling expedition or a science museum visit.
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 - Lumiere Education logo