15 STEM Summer Programs in Kansas for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
Summer programs are a solid option for middle schoolers to gain early exposure to advanced academics and life skills. Beyond academic enrichment, many of these programs provide valuable industry exposure, mentorship, and networking opportunities that help you build connections with peers, instructors, and professionals. For those interested in STEM, joining a specialised program is a meaningful way to bridge the gap between classroom theory and application, allowing you to explore emerging technologies, research environments, and problem-solving frameworks.
What STEM summer programs are available for middle schoolers in Kansas?
Kansas offers a range of STEM summer programs for middle schoolers, from aerospace workshops at Kansas State University to palaeontology camps at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. With institutions like the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, the state provides research exposure, with mentorship from scientists and professors, and access to university labs and equipment. You can complete projects in robotics, coding, and medicine.
To help you choose the best fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 STEM summer programs in Kansas for middle school students. We selected these programs based on factors such as academic rigor, strong networking opportunities, full or significant funding, competitive acceptance rates, and affiliation with prestigious institutions or organizations.
Location: Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
Cost / Stipend: Free; need-based scholarships available for eligible alumni, up to $3,000 per semester
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not publicly available
Program dates: Typically June and July; exact dates TBA
Application deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Middle and high school students | In foster care or state custody in the region
Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP (KKGU) is a federally funded college access program that helps students in foster care prepare for life after high school. Throughout the academic year, you’ll receive mentoring, counseling, academic skill-building workshops, and opportunities to visit colleges and local businesses. The program also offers ACT/SAT preparation, financial aid workshops, FAFSA support, college application guidance, and help building a college portfolio. During the summer, you can participate in enrichment programs focused on postsecondary preparation, reading, math, career exploration, and computer skills. Saturday sessions and field trips provide additional exposure to college campuses and career pathways, along with recognition events that celebrate student progress. If you are in foster care and want structured, long-term support as you prepare for college or another postsecondary path, KKGU provides free, comprehensive guidance designed to help you graduate ready for what comes next.
Location: Online
Cost / Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students | Strong academic curiosity and motivation
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a rigorous, fully virtual enrichment program that allows you to work one-on-one with an academic mentor to explore subjects they are passionate about. Mentors are scholars from leading research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE, providing students with individualised guidance and intellectual challenge. The program is designed to introduce you to advanced thinking, research skills, and project-based learning in a supportive environment. You’ll develop an independent academic project tailored to your interests, rather than a formal research paper, making the program accessible yet challenging for this age group. The program emphasises curiosity, critical thinking, and academic confidence.
Location: Virtual (global) and select in-person cities, including St. Louis, MO and Chicago, IL
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not publicly available
Program dates: Two-week summer sessions; exact dates announced in spring
Application deadline: Not yet announced
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens ages 13 – 18
In this program, you’ll dive into a 2-week coding intensive designed to bridge the gender gap in technology. You can choose from four specialised curricula: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, or Data Science. Working alongside a community of peers, you’ll build a project from scratch using languages like Swift, Python, or JavaScript. The experience provides you with a supportive environment to explore how tech intersects with your personal passions, including a speaker series with women in technology. Beyond technical skills, you’ll gain access to an inspiring alumni network and opportunities to present your final projects to instructors and peers.
Location: Online (virtual program by Veritas AI)
Cost / Stipend: Varies by program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not publicly available
Program dates: Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends) | Summer cohort: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
AI Trailblazers is a foundational artificial intelligence and machine learning program designed specifically for middle school students. Over 25 instructional hours, you’ll learn Python fundamentals alongside core AI concepts such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Instruction takes place through live lectures and collaborative group sessions, allowing you to learn in a supportive, mentor-guided environment. With a low student-to-mentor ratio, you’ll receive individualised feedback and guidance throughout the program. You’ll apply their learning through hands-on projects, such as building machine-learning models to classify music genres or designing recommendation algorithms for educational resources.
Location: Sternberg Museum, Hays, KS (field sites across Kansas)
Cost / Stipend: $1,837; scholarships available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Selective
Program dates: June 14 – June 19
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; final deadline April 10
Eligibility: Students ages 12 – 14 as of June
This is a weeklong, overnight field camp where you’ll explore Kansas’s fossil-rich landscapes while learning how paleontologists work in the field. You’ll use small hand tools to prospect for surface fossils, document field sites, and practice safe fossil hunting techniques. Along the way, you’ll learn how to identify fossils such as sharks, ammonites, giant clams, sea turtles, and mosasaurs, while building a foundation in sedimentary geology and the geologic record. The program also emphasizes critical thinking as you examine evidence for evolution preserved in rock layers. Camp highlights include digging in fossil quarries for rhinoceros and horse bones, searching the Kansas chalks for Cretaceous Seaway fossils, touring the Fossil Preparation Lab, and exploring the museum’s fossil galleries.
Location: Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus, Salina, KS
Cost / Stipend: $120
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Limited to 20 participants per session
Program dates: 3 days; typically late May, 9 am – 4 pm daily
Application deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 8
This three-day camp invites you to explore the high-tech worlds of aviation and unmanned aircraft systems. You’ll spend your days at the K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus, where you’ll get an exclusive look at aircraft and test your skills in the aviation maintenance lab. A highlight of the program is taking control of drones (UAS) and navigating them through various technical challenges. The experience isn't just about flying; you’ll also spend time in engineering labs where you will design and build your own custom item to take home. Throughout the camp, you’ll be guided by university experts who help connect these hands-on activities to real-world career paths in the aerospace industry.
Location: WSU Tech – NCAT Campus, Wichita, KS
Cost / Stipend: $50
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Limited capacity; first-come, first-served
Program dates: July 22 – July 23
Application deadline: July 13
Eligibility: Girls entering grades 3 – 8
Girls Rock Science is a two-day, hands-on summer camp designed to spark curiosity and introduce you to real-world STEAM careers in a fun, collaborative setting. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore how robots work, practice coding, experiment with 3D printing, and learn what makes airplanes fly. You’ll also meet local women working in STEAM industries, giving you a chance to see how classroom concepts connect to real careers. Through team-based challenges and problem-solving activities, you’ll build creativity, confidence, and foundational technical skills. If you enjoy asking “why” and “how” and want an introduction to science and technology in an encouraging, girl-focused environment, this camp offers an accessible and affordable way to explore your interests.
Location: Overland Park, KS
Cost / Stipend: $399 per week (J Members) | $600 per week (Community Members)
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Limited to 20 campers per session
Program dates: 15 one-week day camps, Monday–Friday, from June 1 through July 31
Application deadline: Rolling; open until sessions fill
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3 – 6 | Grade ranges vary by session
These specialised theme weeks combine intensive technical training with the classic summer camp experience. Hosted at the Jewish Community Centre, you can choose from various high-tech tracks, including LEGO Battlebots, Minecraft Mod Development, and 3-D Printing. You can also choose the Video Production track, where you learn professional storytelling and film-editing techniques to create content for YouTube and social media. You’ll work in small teams alongside instructors from Tech Academy to solve engineering challenges and build functional prototypes using tools like Java and TinkerCAD. Beyond the computer lab, your day is balanced with traditional outdoor activities such as swimming and archery. By the end of each session, you’ll have completed a digital or physical project, like a custom video game or a 3-D printed model, to take home and showcase.
Location: WSU Tech – NCAT Campus, Wichita, KS
Cost / Stipend: $25
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Limited capacity; first-come, first-served
Program dates: July 21
Application deadline: July 13
Eligibility: Boys entering grades 3 – 8
This intensive one-day camp is designed to fuel your curiosity by putting you in the shoes of an inventor and engineer. Throughout the day, you’ll engage in various team-based challenges that cover the broad spectrum of STEM, from coding and robotics to structural design. You’ll also have the opportunity to test aerodynamics and explore the mechanics of how complex machines function. You won't just be building projects; you'll meet industry professionals who use these technical skills every day in their careers. The experience is specifically structured to help you develop grit and resilience while working through difficult problem-solving scenarios.
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost / Stipend: Total cost not specified; $30 deposit required; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not publicly available
Program dates: Summer; 3 days and 2 nights; exact dates TBA
Application deadline: Early-bird registration and scholarship applications due in late April
Eligibility: Students finishing grades 5, 6, or 7 in May
The GROW Summer Workshop is an immersive residential program designed to introduce you to the exciting world of STEM while giving you a taste of college life. During the three-day event, you’ll live in K-State residence halls and participate in a wide variety of hands-on activities hosted by university faculty and staff. Because there is no set theme, you get to explore a broad spectrum of disciplines ranging from chemistry and engineering to agriculture and technology. You’ll work in small groups mentored by current K-State students, allowing for plenty of personal interaction and guidance throughout the sessions. In addition to the academic labs, the program includes evening activities that highlight campus life and the "Wildcat" experience.
Location: Emporia State University campus, Emporia, KS
Cost / Stipend: Varies by program (e.g., Enhancing Your Future: $35 students | $40 adults; some programs free)
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Varies by program (e.g., EYF ~220 students annually | Sonia Kovalevsky Math Day ~60 students)
Program dates: Multiple events throughout the year
Application deadline: Program-specific
Eligibility: Grades 6 – 8 and high school students | Some programs limited to schools within a 50-mile radius of Emporia
STEM Outreach and Engagement at Emporia State University offers a series of mathematics- and science-focused enrichment programs for middle and high school students across Kansas. Signature events include Donald L. Bruyr Mathematics Day (a statewide high school math competition), Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Day (a celebration of junior-year high school students excelling in math), and Enhancing Your Future with Mathematics & Science (EYF), a large-scale STEM career exploration conference for grades 6–8. Programs combine workshops, career discussions led by STEM professionals, guest speakers, and recognition ceremonies. Additional initiatives such as Inspired by Math, Math & Science Family Night, and MASTER-IT! provide extended engagement opportunities, including week-long immersive experiences. Faculty and university students serve as mentors and facilitators, fostering a supportive academic environment that cultivates long-term interest in STEM careers. You can check the website for program-specific information, including registration deadlines, cost, and eligibility!
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost / Stipend: Registration fee required; includes 2-night stay, meals, and materials | Scholarships available; $30 deposit required to apply
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Wednesday – Friday; late May or early summer; exact dates vary
Application deadline: Late April; dates TBA
Eligibility: Students finishing grades 5, 6, or 7 in May | Open to all genders
The GROW Summer Workshop is a three-day, overnight campus experience that introduces you to STEM fields through activities led by Kansas State faculty, staff, and students. You’ll participate in workshops connected to real academic disciplines and careers, while also getting a feel for what college life is like at K-State. During the program, you’ll stay in residence halls (double occupancy), eat in campus dining facilities, and take part in evening activities designed to highlight student life. All meals from Wednesday lunch to Friday lunch are included, along with snacks and program materials. Transportation is provided for any off-campus activities, though you’re responsible for getting to and from the Manhattan campus.
Location: Online
Cost / Stipend: Tuition-free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: 12 students per cohort; overall acceptance rate not published
Program dates: Summer: July 6 – July 24 | Fall: August 26 – December 9
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Current 6th or 7th grade students
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is an academic enrichment program designed to help you prepare for rigorous high school environments. You’ll begin with a three-week online summer course, learning alongside a small cohort of 12 students in live, interactive classes. From late August through early December, you’ll continue meeting weekly on Wednesdays for academic writing, math enrichment, growth mindset development, and guidance on exploring high school options. Instructors, many of whom teach at Stanford Online High School and hold advanced degrees, work closely with you to build the study skills and academic confidence needed for selective programs. You’ll also receive support in applying to at least one academically rigorous high school or enrichment opportunity.
Location: Online, hosted by Johns Hopkins University Centre for Talented Youth
Cost / Stipend: $1,365; financial aid available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not publicly available
Program dates: 6-week sessions
Summer A: June 17 – July 22
Summer B: July 13 – August 17
Application deadline:
Summer A: May 11
Summer B: June 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 with a CTY-level Quantitative qualification
This online course offers a deep dive into high-level mathematical problem-solving, specifically designed to prepare you for competitions like the AMC 10 and 12. You’ll move beyond the standard school curriculum to master complex topics in algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics. Through live synchronous sessions and collaborative problem-solving, you will develop strategic test-taking skills and a growth mindset. The course emphasises accessible explanations of difficult concepts, ensuring you build a strong foundation for advanced high school math. You’ll interact with a community of peers and expert instructors who challenge you to tackle puzzles and real-world problems.
Location: Online, hosted by Johns Hopkins University Centre for Talented Youth
Cost / Stipend: $1,850 (hardware kit not included); financial aid available
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not publicly available
Program dates: 13-week session
Summer A: June 16 – September 1
Application deadline: Summer A: May 11
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 with a CTY-level Quantitative qualification
In this course, you’ll dive into the world of digital prototyping by programming through the Arduino microprocessor. You’ll learn to integrate hardware and software as you work with a breadboard, sensors, and actuators to build automated electronic systems. Throughout the session, you’ll examine existing prototypes and learn how to modify code to create devices that respond to motion, proximity, or data sensors. This hands-on experience emphasises iterative design, challenging you to adapt your creations to meet specific engineering goals.
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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