15 STEM Summer Programs in Louisiana for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 5 hours ago
- 9 min read
Middle school is when you start realizing what subjects you actually enjoy. But regular classes move quickly, and there is rarely enough time to explore STEM topics in depth. Summer programs give you space to slow down and focus on specific areas like engineering, coding, environmental science, or health sciences.
What STEM summer programs are available for middle schoolers in Louisiana?
For middle school students interested in STEM, Louisiana provides several summer opportunities focused on hands-on exploration. Programs may include lab demonstrations, collaborative projects, beginner research activities, or guided instruction in specific subject areas.
Local access makes these programs more financially practical. You remain close to home while building foundational skills that can support your long-term academic growth. To help you get started, we’ve compiled 15 STEM summer programs in Louisiana designed for middle school students!
15 STEM Summer Programs in Louisiana for Middle School Students
Location: Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: Not publicly listed; typically sponsored through university and industry partnerships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited cohort; approximately 100 students selected
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: Varies; application required through the STEMX program
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 (middle schoolers eligible through the STEMX program)
The Carbon STEM Summer Camp at Southern University places you inside an engineering-focused campus to study carbon capture and storage practically. Over the week, you break down how carbon dioxide is captured, transported, and stored underground, then model those systems using simple materials to see how the process works. The sessions are structured around building and testing, so when something fails, you adjust and try again until the science lines up. Faculty from Southern University guide the technical side, and professionals connected to industry and research institutions such as ExxonMobil and Rice University’s Tapia Center contribute a real field perspective.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Program dates: Eight weeks | Timing varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: Varies by camp; some programs offer scholarships or reduced-cost options
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited cohort sizes depending on camp
Dates: Multiple in-person camps offered between June and July
Application Deadline: Varies by camp; application required
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 7 - 9 eligible for select camps.)
The LSU College of Engineering Summer STEM Camps give you hands-on exposure to engineering and applied STEM fields in a university setting. These in-person summer camps are designed to introduce you to core engineering concepts through interactive labs, design challenges, and team-based projects. Depending on the specific camp, you may explore areas such as robotics, computer engineering, civil engineering, mechanical systems, or applied science. Programming emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world applications of STEM concepts. You learn from LSU faculty, staff, and trained instructors while working in campus engineering facilities.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Location: Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center, Pollock, LA
Cost: Varies by parish; financial assistance may be available through local 4-H offices
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; registration-based
Dates: 4 days, 3 nights during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by parish; registration required
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–8
The 4-H LOST (Louisiana Outdoor Science and Technology) Camp mixes STEM learning with outdoor science in a residential setting. You pick three tracks each day, so your week can include STEM sessions alongside wetlands science, videography, or other science-based options. The structure keeps things active, with learning blocks during the day and recreation like canoeing, swimming, archery, and group challenges built in. Since students come from different parishes, you also get the social side of a statewide program without it turning into a typical “summer camp only” experience.
Location: STEM NOLA, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free or low-cost; many sessions are fully funded
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; registration required
Dates: Multiple week-long camps offered between June and July
Application Deadline: Varies by session; rolling registration
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8); eligibility may vary by camp theme
STEM NOLA Summer Camps are built around hands-on projects where you learn by building, testing, and redoing your work. Camp themes can shift, but the style stays the same: experiments, engineering challenges, and group activities that make you practically use science and math. You might work on robotics, environmental science tasks, or applied technology projects, depending on the week. Since STEM NOLA is a nonprofit focused on access, many camps are fully funded or low-cost, which makes them realistic for families who cannot spend thousands on summer programs.
Location: Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: Varies by camp; some programs are free or offer financial assistance
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; application or registration required
Dates: Multiple summer camps offered between June and July
Application Deadline: Varies by camp; rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8 eligible for select STEM camps.
Southern University STEM Summer Camps give you middle school-level STEM projects in a real university environment, with faculty and trained instructors leading the sessions. Camp topics vary, but you usually work through experiments and project-based lessons in areas like engineering design, computer science, math, or environmental science. A big part of the learning comes from working in groups, sharing materials, and explaining your results. Since it’s hosted at an HBCU, you also get early exposure to STEM spaces where representation and mentorship are part of the culture.
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Varies by course; scholarships and payment plans available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; small class sizes
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions offered between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until sessions are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 (middle school–appropriate courses available)
iD Tech STEM Summer Camps at Tulane University focus on tech skills you can actually practice, like coding, game development, robotics, AI, and cybersecurity. You spend most of your time working through guided projects, so you are writing code, debugging, and building something that functions by the end of the week. Instructors walk you through tools that are used in real tech learning environments, not simplified school software. Since the program runs on Tulane’s campus, you also get the feeling of learning in a college setting while working with other students who are into the same tech topics.
Location: Multiple locations across Louisiana (including Houma–Thibodaux and surrounding areas)
Cost: Varies by location and session
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; limited group sizes
Dates: Multiple one-week summer sessions offered between June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until sessions are full
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8); eligibility varies by local program
Challenge Island STEAM Summer Camps offer you hands-on, project-based learning experiences that blend engineering, science, and creative problem-solving. Through themed design challenges, you work in small teams to build solutions using everyday materials, emphasizing collaboration and imaginative thinking. The program focuses on inquiry-based learning, encouraging you to test ideas, revise designs, and communicate solutions with peers. Camps are intentionally screen-free, allowing you to engage fully in teamwork and hands-on construction. Activities are designed to build foundational skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and resilience in an engaging environment.
Location: Southside High School, Youngsville, LA
Cost: Not publicly specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; registration required
Dates: June 2 – June 6
Application Deadline: Varies; registration open until full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
The STEM Olympics Camp at Southside High School is structured around friendly competition, where you work through STEM challenges in teams and try to improve your results across the week. Activities usually involve data collection, design tasks, and math-based problem solving, with the “Olympics” format keeping the energy high. You learn how to test an idea, measure what happened, and then change your approach for the next round. It’s a good format if you learn best when you have a clear goal and a reason to keep refining your work.
Location: University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA
Cost: Not publicly specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; registration required
Dates: June 9 – June 13
Application Deadline: Varies; registration required
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8
The Environmental Deep Dive 4.0 program offers you an in-depth introduction to environmental science through hands-on, project-based learning. Hosted on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus, this week-long summer program focuses on helping you understand real-world environmental challenges and how STEM tools are used to study and address them. You engage in interactive activities that focus on data collection, analysis, and applied scientific reasoning. Guided by educators affiliated with UL Lafayette, you learn in a structured academic setting that mirrors university-style learning at a middle school–appropriate level.
Location: Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
Cost: Not publicly listed; camp participation is typically sponsored through university and industry partnerships
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited cohort; approximately 100 students selected
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: Varies; application required
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 (middle school students eligible through the STEMX program)
The Carbon STEM Summer Camp immerses you in real-world energy, engineering, and environmental science challenges through hands-on, project-based learning. Hosted by Southern University as part of its STEMX summer initiative, the camp focuses on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and its role in building a lower-carbon future. You work on interactive engineering and science activities that model how carbon dioxide can be captured and safely stored underground, using everyday materials to understand complex geological systems. You also interact with university faculty, engineering students, and industry professionals from organizations such as ExxonMobil and Rice University’s Tapia Center.
Location: Xavier campus, LA
Cost: $550
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; application or registration required
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application Deadline: Varies; registration required
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th-grade students with little to no prior robotics experience
The Summer STEM Academy is a three-week, hands-on robotics program designed to introduce you to core concepts in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through applied learning. During the program, you explore how mathematical principles are used in real-world problem-solving while developing foundational programming and engineering skills. A central component of the academy involves building and programming LEGO robots, allowing you to learn computer science concepts through interactive projects. The curriculum emphasizes teamwork and collaboration as you work alongside peers to design, test, and refine robotic systems. You also participate in experiential learning opportunities such as a field trip to a space science center, connecting classroom concepts to real-world STEM environments.
Cost: Fee-based; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited capacity; registration required
Dates: July 14 – July 18
Application Deadline: Varies; registration required
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8
The GNO STEM SeaGlide Underwater ROV Camp offers you a hands-on introduction to engineering and robotics through a real-world design challenge. In partnership with RoboNation, the camp guides you through the process of building and testing an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). You learn foundational engineering and science concepts such as tool safety, mechanical design, problem-solving, and teamwork while constructing your SeaGlide ROV. After completing your build, you put your robot to the test by competing in underwater obstacle challenges held in the University of New Orleans engineering tow tank. The program emphasizes collaboration, iterative design, and applied STEM learning in a professional engineering environment.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; approximately 12 students
Dates: Summer component: July 6 – July 24; fall continuation: August 26 – December 9
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–7 from low-income backgrounds who live and attend school in the U.S.
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a highly selective academic enrichment opportunity designed to help you prepare for advanced coursework in high school and beyond. In the Real-Life Applications to Mathematics track, you explore how mathematical concepts are applied to real-world problems through topics such as cryptography, modular arithmetic, and financial mathematics. The program is delivered through live, interactive online classes that emphasize discussion, collaboration, and problem-solving. You work alongside a small cohort of peers, allowing for individualized attention and meaningful academic engagement.
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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