15 STEM Summer Programs in Georgia for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 3
- 11 min read
If you’re in middle school and you like STEM, summer programs can be one of the easiest ways to explore it without turning it into another school subject.
STEM summer programs also help you figure out what you actually enjoy. Some students love robotics. Others like science experiments or problem-solving challenges. Middle school is a good time to try a few areas and see what sticks before you start picking electives and clubs in high school. You might spend time building, testing, coding, and trying things that feel more hands-on.
What STEM summer programs are available for middle schoolers in Georgia?
Georgia offers a wide range of STEM summer programs designed for middle school students. You can find university-hosted camps, nonprofit programs, and local workshops in areas like robotics, coding, engineering design, math enrichment, environmental science, and space science. Many programs take place on college campuses or in learning centers with better equipment than most schools have access to. Choosing a program in Georgia can also make things easier to manage. You may not need travel or housing, and many programs are short enough to fit into a normal summer schedule. These experiences help you build confidence in STEM early and meet other students who enjoy the same kinds of challenges.
You can also explore virtual STEM programs open to middle school students from Georgia here!
With that in mind, here are 15 STEM summer programs in Georgia for middle school students!
15 STEM Summer Programs in Georgia for Middle School Students
Location: The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: $530
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Registrations open on December 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 11–14
The University of Georgia’s Introduction to Engineering Summer Academy Camp is a hands-on program for students aged 11 to 14, offered in partnership with the UGA College of Engineering. The camp introduces how engineers shape the world and where engineering shows up in areas like transportation, architecture, and aerospace. You’ll learn core concepts from mechanical, electrical, structural, and control systems engineering. You’ll also explore the science behind them, including Newton’s laws, simple machines, work and energy, friction, heat, gravity, electricity, and fluid forces. Throughout the week, you’ll take part in interactive activities and friendly competitions as well as build structures, catapults, vehicles, and rockets. You’ll also have time to talk through topics that match your personal interests and curiosity in engineering.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks; multiple cohorts run throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 with strong academic backgrounds
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is designed for middle school students who want to explore their academic interests through one-on-one mentorship and project work. The program was founded by a Harvard and Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates. You’ll work with PhD-level mentors from leading universities like Harvard, Yale, Duke, MIT, Stanford, and LSE to create an independent project based on your interests. You can choose from STEM, social sciences, business, and other fields, and design a project that fits your goals, such as a research paper or presentation. The program will help you develop skills in research, critical thinking, and independent learning, which can be useful for future research programs and academic competitions. You can find the application here!
Location: The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: $530
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: June 1 – 5 | June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: Registrations open on December 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 11–13
The University of Georgia’s Mini Medical School Summer Academy 1A and 1B are weeklong camps for students ages 11 to 13 held at UGA’s Health Sciences Campus that introduce them to the field of medicine. You’ll explore different body systems through team-based activities, hands-on projects, games, and crafts designed to make learning interactive. You’ll use real labs, technology, and teaching tools to practice taking a patient’s health history, develop lab skills through dissections, and work with classmates in simulated medical scenarios at a modern simulation center. The camp is run by current medical students from the Augusta University UGA Medical Partnership, who worked closely with faculty to create a practical, engaging curriculum that encourages learning by doing.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program for middle school students that introduces the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you’ll learn Python fundamentals along with data analysis, image classification, regression, neural networks, and AI ethics. The program uses lectures and small-group sessions with a 5-to-1 student-to-mentor ratio and includes hands-on project work. Past projects have included creating a model to classify music genres and building an algorithm that generates custom lists of educational resources based on set criteria. You can find the application here.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $400–$650; extended care is also available at an additional cost. Scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: One- to two-week sessions run throughout June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th grade students
CEISMC Summer PEAKS offers one- to two-week STEAM programs for middle school students, focusing on hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. Each session is built around a unique theme and takes place on the Georgia Tech campus. You’ll take part in interactive workshops in areas like robotics, 3D printing, game development, chemistry, AI, and music production. You will work in your specific grade-level group on real-world projects led by Georgia Tech faculty, graduate students, and local educators. You can sign up for multiple sessions to explore different interests throughout the summer. Programs run daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with optional extended care from 3:15 PM to 6:00 PM for an extra fee.
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $850
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – 26
Application Deadline: January 26 – March 27
Eligibility: Students can apply after completing fourth grade and continue participating through eighth grade
MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy is a four-week summer program built for elementary and middle school learners who want early exposure to science and health topics. You work through hands-on activities across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, with many lessons tied to the human body and medical careers. The learning is practical, with experiments, model building, and inquiry-based tasks aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence. The program also brings in themed units like sports science, coding, and healthy bodies. Financial literacy is included as part of the curriculum, connecting everyday choices to real-life skills.
Location: Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $350–$400 per week (Junior Ranger and Trek) | $375–$425 per week (Quest) + $75 per week (Extended Care)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort size; 1:10 educator-to-camper ratio
Dates: Multiple week-long camps run between May 26 and July 31
Registration Deadline: Registrations open on January 23
Eligibility: Students aged 5 to 7 can apply for the Junior Ranger track, students aged 8 to 11 can apply for the Trek track, and students aged 12 to 14 can apply for the Quest track
Safari Camp at Zoo Atlanta offers a fun, hands-on summer experience for campers aged 5–14, focused on animals, nature, and conservation. You can sign up for a single week or attend multiple sessions across the summer. You’ll explore the Zoo through guided activities, group games, science investigations, and STEAM projects. Some activities also take place in Grant Park, where you’ll join nature walks, environmental research, and team-based games. Junior Ranger and Trek campers explore weekly themes through hands-on activities and complete a project to share at the end of each session. Quest campers focus on wildlife conservation and animal care at an AZA-accredited facility, learning through discussions, simulations, and live demonstrations of animal and habitat care.
Location: The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: $530
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Registrations open on December 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 11–14
The University of Georgia’s Environmental Science Summer Academy Camp is open to students aged 11 to 14 who enjoy being outdoors or want to explore environmental science, ecology, conservation, and sustainability. Through hands-on activities and campus field trips, you’ll learn from professionals working in areas like water conservation, horticulture, archaeology, carnivorous plant biology, environmental art, and culinary science. You’ll practice field techniques such as water-quality testing, stream sampling, and aquatic species identification. You’ll also take part in applied projects like planting and harvesting in the Children’s Garden, creating medicinal herb first-aid kits, making fresh salsa from what you grow, and producing environmental art.
Location: Atlanta International School’s Buckhead and Sandy Springs campuses, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $325–$950 depending on the camp; aftercare is available for an additional $25 per day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: Multiple one-week camps run between June 2 and July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering four-year-old kindergarten through 10th grade
Atlanta International School Summer Camps allow students to develop new skills while exploring different cultures, with plenty of options to choose from. You can select from more than 90 themed camps in areas like robotics, filmmaking, athletics, design, app development, and chess, hosted across the Buckhead and Sandy Springs campuses. The program also includes language camps in French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and English. If you’re interested in STEM, the Digital Creators Academy focuses on digital entrepreneurship. You’ll learn how to design and publish eBooks, build websites, explore app development, create online courses, and run small eCommerce projects. Another option is Stop Motion Camp, which blends art, storytelling, and technology as you learn how to create a stop-motion animated movie using still images.
Location: Offered at 800 locations, including multiple sites across Atlanta, GA
Cost: Starts at $185
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: Multiple one-week camps run between June 1 and July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–9
The National Inventors Hall of Fame Camp Invention Leaders in Training Program is for middle school students who want to develop leadership and teamwork skills while mentoring younger campers. You’ll take on a counselor-style role, helping students in grades K–6 work through hands-on STEM activities created by inventors and educators. You’ll help campers work through science, engineering, and design challenges, manage small groups, and keep activities running smoothly. You’ll receive guidance from the camp staff and mentors as you gain leadership experience, complete a few at-home activities, and develop stronger communication skills over time.
Location: The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: $530
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: June 1 – 5
Application Deadline: Registrations open on December 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 12–15
The University of Georgia’s Physics is Fun Summer Academy Camp is a hands-on program for students aged 12 to 15 who are interested in learning about engineering, architecture, or space-related careers. You’ll design, build, and test experiments to learn the basics of motion, energy, and electricity. You’ll build constant velocity cars for speed and acceleration challenges, launch Alka Seltzer rockets, and explore Newton’s Laws through short experiments. You’ll also measure your own horsepower in a work and power lab, create electromagnets, build series and parallel circuits, and participate in practical electrical engineering activities. The camp includes a field trip to the Athens Water Treatment Plant to observe fluid dynamics in real life.
Location: Multiple locations, including Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $3,299 (Residential) | $2,899 (Commuter)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 25 (Residential) | July 21 – 25 (Commuter)
Registration Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
NYLF Explore STEM is a hands-on program for middle school students that shows how STEM connects to the real world while building problem-solving and leadership skills. You’ll rotate through robotics, forensics, engineering, and medical labs led by experienced educators using real tools and techniques. You will participate in activities like designing and programming a robot to complete challenges, exploring lung anatomy through a sheep lung dissection, and investigating a mock crime scene using forensic techniques. You’ll tackle design challenges using CAD software and design thinking to create practical solutions. You’ll also practice first-responder skills in outdoor medical simulations with emergency professionals.
Location: Various locations across Atlanta, GA
Cost: $249 plus $6.72 administration fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots are available
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 8–14
Code Ninjas Camps run year-round for students aged 5 to 14 and turn an interest in technology into a fun, hands-on learning experience. You’ll work with Code Senseis, develop useful tech skills, and connect with other students who share similar interests. One option is the Code Ninjas Atlanta Cybersecurity Coding Camp for students aged 8 to 14. In this camp, you’ll learn about digital safety and cyber defense through interactive activities. Using platforms like Minecraft Education, you’ll protect virtual data centers, investigate suspicious online activity, and follow clues to solve security challenges. You’ll code your own antivirus programs, learn how to spot phishing scams, create secret ciphers, and learn why strong passwords matter by trying to break into mock accounts. You can view other camp options here.
Location: The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: $530
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Registrations open on December 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 11–13
The University of Georgia’s Mission Microbe – The Outbreak Investigation Summer Academy Camp is a hands-on program for students aged 11 to 13 that focuses on investigating a simulated outbreak. You’ll step into the role of a Microbe Detective and take part in a foodborne illness scenario from start to finish. Working in teams, you’ll spend time in the lab safely growing and identifying microbes using real lab equipment. You’ll analyze bacterial data, trace how germs spread, and learn food safety practices used by public health professionals. Using evidence and critical thinking, you’ll identify the outbreak source and present your conclusions at a CSI Microbe Edition Science Expo.
Location: Morehouse College, John H. Hopps Jr. Technology Tower, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – August 2
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Boys in grades 6–12 in the Atlanta area can apply, with priority for first-generation college-bound students from underrepresented STEM communities
Morehouse College runs the Level Up Summer Enrichment Youth Program for boys in grades 6 to 12 who want to explore robotics, computing, and AI. You work through hands-on sessions on topics like coding, game development, robotics, and web development. The program is built around projects, so you learn by making things instead of just watching demos. Mentors guide the work and also focus on life skills and confidence building, not only technical skills. You also get exposure to how AI and computing connect to real careers and everyday systems. Since it takes place through Morehouse, you spend time around campus resources and get an early sense of what a college learning environment feels like.
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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