15 STEM Summer Programs in Maryland for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 9 min read
If you are a middle school student looking to dive into STEM, summer programs offer a great way to gain hands-on experience without breaking the bank. STEM programs allow you to explore advanced academics and practical applications and build practical skills like problem-solving and teamwork that extend beyond the classroom. These programs often include industry insights through site visits or professional interactions, helping you make valuable connections early on.
What STEM summer programs are available for middle schoolers in Maryland?
Maryland hosts a variety of STEM summer programs for middle school students, ranging from university-hosted camps to community-based initiatives that emphasize learning in fields like cybersecurity, engineering, and nuclear science. You can find options hosted by institutions like the University of Maryland or Johns Hopkins, offering access to advanced projects, mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate with experts. These programs can help you build foundational STEM skills, fostering creativity, and providing exposure to career paths in high-demand areas.
To help you find the right option, we have curated a list of 15 STEM summer programs in Maryland for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
Location: On-campus sites in Maryland, such as Johns Hopkins University and Gilman School, Baltimore, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | Requires qualifying test scores | Cohort sizes vary by course
Cost: Varies by format and course | Need-based financial aid available
Dates: Vary by course | Typically offered multiple times each year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12 with qualifying test scores on exams like SCAT, SAT, or equivalent
Johns Hopkins’ CTY runs rigorous courses tailored for advanced learners in grades 2 – 12, with a focus on STEM topics such as mathematics (puzzles, patterns, real-world problems), robotics and technology (design, coding, problem-solving), and science and engineering (experiments, design projects, idea testing). You will engage in hands-on STEM activities and collaborative projects that help you develop skills in critical thinking, exploration, and peer collaboration, under the guidance of experienced instructors. You will also learn through discussions and lectures. The program offers day and residential formats for in-person summer sessions in Maryland, with opportunities for socialization and specialty experiences like Educational Travel or Skillshop Challenges that involve real-world applications and teamwork.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program | Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer sessions
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines for cohorts across the year; you can check details and apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week, virtual, research-focused experience in which you will work individually with a Ph.D. mentor. In the first phase of the program, you will explore multiple subject areas to learn about different academic approaches and research styles. Weekly meetings will help you build skills in formulating research questions, evaluating sources, and organizing findings. In the second phase, you will choose a focus area, such as a STEM topic of your choice, and develop a structured research plan under your mentor's guidance. You will conclude the program by completing a research paper, case study, or presentation that reflects the full research process.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Free
Dates: Three weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Middle school students.
Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers is a multi-institutional summer program designed to help middle schoolers dive into STEM. Here, you will learn to work with next-generation technologies such as augmented reality, 3D printing, and AI through hands-on training. Projects focus on addressing real-world challenges, with emphasis on design thinking and social entrepreneurship. You will collaborate with peers and mentors to build skills in digital innovation.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can check details and apply to the program here.
Dates: 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
AI Trailblazers is a 25-hour program that introduces you to artificial intelligence through instruction and coding exercises. The curriculum first covers Python programming fundamentals, then moves on to concepts such as regression, classification, data analysis, and neural networks. Instruction is offered in small groups, allowing you to receive personalized feedback and ask questions during the sessions. You will work with real datasets to understand how machine learning models are trained and evaluated. Topics such as ethical considerations in the use of AI are integrated throughout the curriculum. The program concludes with a project that demonstrates your understanding of AI and data science concepts.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $400 | Financial aid available
Dates: Summer: One week (two sessions: beginner and advanced) | Academic year: One Sunday per month
Application Deadline: Not specified | Scholarship deadline: April 26
Eligibility: Middle school students.
University of Maryland’s SECURE IT Summer Academy is designed to help middle school students learn cybersecurity concepts by thinking like a detective, working with Linux, and exploring computer networks. You will engage in hands-on projects that involve adversarial thinking to understand system breaches and defenses, and to solve real-world problems. You will collaborate with professionals through workshops and gain practical IT security skills. Mentorship from university staff will help you work on activities and present your findings. The summer program continues into the academic year, allowing you to spend one day every month participating in workshops.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $625 | Scholarships available
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders.
The University of Maryland WIE Empower is a one-week program designed to help middle schoolers explore engineering through hands-on projects. You will work with undergraduate mentors to build basic circuits, learn how to use engineering tools, and refine problem-solving and design thinking skills. The curriculum also includes site visits to engineering facilities. You will participate in group presentations, sharing your work with peers and professionals. A key aspect is the emphasis on women in engineering, offering you access to role models and networking opportunities in STEM.
Location: Online and in-person camps (sites vary by year)Cost: FreeAcceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedDates: Multiple two-week camps in the summer; dates TBAApplication deadline: Not specifiedEligibility: Women and gender expansive teens who are 13 – 18 years old
Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps are designed for middle and high school students interested in learning coding. As a participant, you will spend two weeks learning within one of four tracks: machine learning, mobile app development, website development, and data science. The curriculum covers track-specific core concepts and provides exposure to programming languages such as Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and Swift. You will apply what you learn to projects focused on chatbot programming, website creation, app development, or data-driven tasks. At the end of the camp, you will have a finished project that demonstrates your progress and acquired coding skills.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD
Cost: $374 for most courses | $499 for SAT courses
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10 | July 13 – 17 | July 20 – 24 | July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Not specified | First-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: Incoming 6th–8th graders.
UMBC’s Summer Enrichment Academy offers week-long exploratory courses focused on STEM topics such as generative AI, real-world math concepts, sustainable world-building, drone programming with Python, and AI innovations. You will engage in hands-on projects that help you refine your creativity, responsibility, programming, design thinking, and tech skills. The program encourages collaboration with peers, helping you build teamwork skills. The program runs multiple sessions in the summer, with options available for morning or afternoon classes, to accommodate different preferences and interests.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited to 25 students per grade band
Location: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $45 non-refundable registration fee
Dates: June 30 – July 3 | July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Students in grades K–12.
The Morgan State University Summer STEM Day Camp allows you to explore nuclear science with hands-on activities focused on fission, fusion, radiation measurement, and real-world applications. You will engage in project-based learning aligned with the national STEM standards, while also finding opportunities for peer collaboration and self-paced development throughout the week. You explore careers in STEM through weekly sessions and grade-level projects. Mentorship from instructors will help you conduct experiments and explore different concepts.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The Patriots Technology Gymnasium, Seat Pleasant, MD
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – August 16
Application Deadline: Not specified | First-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: Prince George’s County middle school students.
The Patriots Technology Training Center Free STEM Summer Camp is a six-week program offering opportunities to learn about high-demand STEM careers through competitions, workshops, and mentorship. At camp, you will explore topics such as coding, aerospace, video production, biomedical, video games, and AI/cybersecurity. Hands-on projects will help you develop technical and soft skills, and you will also receive guidance on resume building and boosting college and career readiness. Field trips are also part of the experience.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by camp
Location: Montgomery College campuses, Rockville, Germantown, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, MD
Cost: Varies by camp | Limited scholarships available
Dates: Various week-long sessions, June – August
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Students ages 5–17.
Montgomery College offers elementary, middle, and high school students over 300 summer camps, including STEM-focused options such as coding, robotics, engineering, 3D design, and game development. In each camp, you will learn through hands-on projects. Depending on the camp, you may participate in site visits or work with professionals to gain industry exposure. Mentorship from instructors will support your learning and creativity. The variety of options allows you to explore multiple STEM areas in one summer.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited space | First-come, first-served enrollment
Location: Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $500 | Discounts and need-based scholarships available
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Open until full | Deposit due June 30 | Remaining fee due July 7
Eligibility: Students entering grades K–10.
The Notre Dame of Maryland University STEM Camp is a week-long program focused on the theme “Waters of the World”. As a participant, you will investigate underwater habitats and aquatic organisms through hands-on activities. You will learn how organisms adapt to survive in aquatic environments, and how humans have engineered solutions to support these survival adaptations and exploration. Each day, you will learn about a new STEM concept, adding to your classroom knowledge. You will also spend the week working on a STEM project under the mentorship of university instructors. Swimming and arts and crafts are also part of the daily schedule.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~120 students per year
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Cost: $400 | Financial assistance available
Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 2 | Session 2: July 13 – 24
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders.
University of Maryland’s CompSciConnect program allows you to spend two weeks exploring computer science through hands-on coding activities. You will work on projects such as building simple programs and games, developing programming and logical thinking skills in the process. You will learn block-based programming with Scratch, web design with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and 3D game design during the program. The curriculum also covers topics such as cybersecurity, cryptography, number bases, logic, and computer skills. All sessions are led by undergraduate mentors.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Patuxent River 4-H Center, Upper Marlboro, MD
Cost: Day camp: $275/week | Overnight camp: $395/week | Scholarships may be available
Dates: Various week-long camps in the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 5–14.
At the Patuxent River 4-H Center Summer Camp, you will explore wildlife and natural environments as you hike trails, explore streams, and build STEM projects in a nature-focused setting. You will engage in activities like conducting eco-experiments or growing a garden, all structured to help you build problem-solving and teamwork skills while also focusing on STEM exploration. You will also collaborate with peers and work on building environmental awareness. Mentorship from camp staff will help you gain insights into your interests.
Location: Online
Cost: $420/camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: None
Dates: Available on demand all year round
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; grade-level requirements vary by camp.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center runs year-round, on-demand virtual camps for middle and high school students. Each camp focuses on genetics and broader biology and biotechnology concepts. As a middle school participant, you will learn about DNA through pre-recorded video sessions and experiments, conducted using an at-home lab kit containing lab materials and workbooks. Additionally, you will engage in activities such as observing fruit flies with genetic mutations and extracting and analyzing DNA from animal and plant cells. You can also connect with instructors on video calls to discuss your experiments and class topics.
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.
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