15 STEM Summer Programs in North Dakota for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
STEM is one of those areas where learning becomes easier when you actually work with it. If you are in middle school and already interested in science or technology, a STEM summer program can help you take that interest further in a structured way.
STEM programs focus on practical activities. You might build something simple, test how a system behaves, or work on a small project with guidance. Some programs also introduce you to real-world ideas through hands-on tasks, which help you understand how concepts apply outside the classroom.
Why should I do a STEM summer program in middle school?
These programs help you build thinking skills like logic, structured problem-solving, and attention to detail. You also gain confidence in trying new topics and working independently, which makes a difference when subjects become more challenging in high school.
Local programs make participation easier without travel or housing costs. They also help you build a strong foundation early and give you a clearer idea of what you might want to explore later.
With that, here are 15 STEM summer programs in North Dakota for middle school students!
15 STEM Summer Programs in North Dakota for Middle School Students
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Program dates: Eight weeks | Timing varies by cohort
Application deadline: Varies based on 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.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course; sessions fill quickly, so early registration is recommended
Location: North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
Cost: $140 per session (Early Bird) or $170 per session (Regular)
Dates: July 13-16 and July 20-23
Application Deadline: Early bird ends May 11; final registration closes June 12
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8 in the fall
North Dakota State University’s STEM Kids Camp places you inside engineering-focused sessions where you explore different technical areas through projects. You might work on coding, robotics, roller coaster design, or even crime scene science, depending on the session you choose. The work follows the engineering design process, so you start with an idea, build a model, test it, and adjust it when things don’t behave as expected. Some sessions include topics like DNA analysis or space-related physics, which go beyond what you usually see in school. You may also visit local industry sites and present your work to faculty and other students.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Location: Virtual
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 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.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by session; popular camps like Minecraft and Robotics fill up rapidly
Location: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND
Cost: Ranges from $50 to $125, depending on the session
Dates: Various sessions held between June 3 and August 20
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until full; cancellation deadline is July 31
Eligibility: Ages 9-14 or students entering grades 6-8 (specific to the camp track)
Hosted by the UND College of Engineering & Mines, these STEM summer programs in North Dakota for middle school students provide an exceptional platform for young innovators to explore high-level technical disciplines. You can dive into specialized tracks ranging from Python programming within Minecraft to sophisticated aerospace simulation using the Kerbal Space Program. These camps emphasize "trial and error," allowing you to build resilience while mastering robotics with LEGO Spike Prime or exploring the future of sustainable infrastructure through 3D concrete printing. The curriculum often includes high-value industry exposure, such as tours of professional construction sites or state-of-the-art water treatment facilities, where you can see environmental engineering in action.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by session; sessions for older students are highly popular and fill quickly
Location: North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, Bismarck, ND
Cost: $150–$195 (Half-Day) or $300–$390 (Full-Day) per week
Dates: Weekly sessions starting after Memorial Day through August
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; early sign-up in spring is recommended
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-9
Gateway to Science runs weekly sessions where you work through engineering challenges and scientific experiments in a lab-style setting. You might extract DNA from fruit, test chemical reactions, or build hydraulic arms and rockets. The program also introduces robotics through tools like Finch robots and Spheros, where you learn programming and control systems. Many activities are designed as group challenges, so you build, test, and refine your ideas with others. There is also an outdoor component through the Explorium, where you connect science concepts to natural environments.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited to 60 students per year from across the United States
Location: University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND
Cost: Fully funded (All educational expenses, room and board, and transportation are paid)
Dates: June 8 – July 10
Application Deadline: March 15 (All materials, including autobiography and transcripts, must be received by this date)
Eligibility: American Indian students in grades 7-12 who are enrolled or descendants of a federally recognized tribe
INMED runs as a six-week residential program where you live on campus and follow a structured academic schedule. You attend daily classes in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, along with training in basic healthcare skills like first aid. The program also includes field trips to clinical settings and meetings with health professionals, which gives you a clearer picture of medical careers. You stay in a supervised environment throughout the program, which makes the experience closer to college life. The focus stays on building your academic skills while connecting them to healthcare in your community.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots available for Leaders-in-Training; early registration is required
Location: Dickinson Middle School, Dickinson, ND
Cost: $185 for Leaders-in-Training (Payment plans available)
Dates: June 1 – June 5
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-9 (Leader-in-Training program)
Hosted at Dickinson Middle School, Camp Invention: Spark offers a high-energy, creative environment where you can step into the role of a "Leader-in-Training." While younger campers engage in primary activities, students entering grades 7-9 take on a mentorship role, developing leadership and communication skills while assisting with complex STEM challenges. This year’s "Spark" curriculum involves diverse modules like "Fur-ensics," where you explore DNA evidence and forensic science, and "Space Morphers," which focuses on rocket physics and planetary transformation. You will gain hands-on experience with wearable cryptography devices in "The Infringers" module and experiment with buoyancy and entrepreneurship in "Make Waves."
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open registration until full; early sign-up is encouraged as these popular sessions have limited capacity
Location: North Dakota 4-H Camp, Washburn, ND
Cost: $375 (Includes a $50 nonrefundable deposit; scholarships are available for income-eligible families)
Dates: June 7–June 11
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 1; final balance due two weeks before the start date
Eligibility: Children ages 8-12 (Middle school students)
The NDSU 4-H STEM Camp takes place in an outdoor setting where you work on projects that connect engineering with the natural environment. You might build bridges using design principles, study insects, or explore how robotics applies to real-world systems. Activities take place both indoors and outdoors, which changes how you approach each task. You also take part in group challenges that require planning and coordination. The setting near the Missouri River adds another layer, since many activities are tied to the environment around you.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: High demand; sessions are filled on a first-come, first-served basis
Location: Online (Hosted by Stanford University, Stanford, CA)
Cost: $500 per quarter
Dates: March 30 – June 4 (Spring Quarter)
Application Deadline: Registration is currently open; rolling until sections are filled
Eligibility: Mathematically motivated students in grades 7–8
Stanford’s Math Circle focuses on problem-solving in a way that feels different from regular math classes. You attend weekly sessions where you work through challenging problems in areas like number theory and geometry. The sessions are discussion-based, so you look at different ways to approach the same problem rather than following one method. You also explore ideas that connect math to reasoning and patterns, which change how you think about solutions. Guest lectures sometimes add another perspective to the work.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open registration; accepted upon submission until capacity is reached
Location: Online via Zoom (Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY)
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1 – July 29 (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays)
Application Deadline: June 19 (Registration opens March 2)
Eligibility: High school students (undergraduates and middle schoolers welcome)
Columbia’s Scientific Enrichment Month introduces you to topics in cancer research and public health through online sessions. You attend lectures on areas like hypothesis development, cancer biology, and health inequities. The program also includes group work where you focus on public health topics and create educational initiatives for others. You may work on subjects like genetics, nutrition, or tobacco prevention while earning community service hours. The sessions connect scientific research with how it is applied in real communities.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students per cohort
Location: Online
Cost: Fully funded
Dates: July 6 – July 24 (Summer); August 26 – December 9 (Fall)
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 or 7 who reside in and attend school in the US and come from low-income backgrounds
The program functions as a dual-phase experience that begins with an intensive three-week summer session followed by weekly after-school meetings throughout the fall semester. You will engage in live virtual discussions led by instructors from Stanford Online High School, 65% of whom hold doctoral degrees in their respective fields. The curriculum allows you to choose from specialized tracks such as geometry, cryptography, or history through graphic novels to deepen your subject matter expertise. Beyond the core academics, the fall workshops focus on ga rowth mindset and the practicalities of applying to selective high schools. You should expect to maintain active participation with your webcam enabled to foster a collaborative learning environment with your peers and mentors.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified for the Virtual Academy
Location: Online
Cost: Approximately $50 (for required household materials)
Dates: July 13 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (ages 14–18) from the United States and abroad
This one-week intensive program provides you with an entry point into the burgeoning field of regenerative medicine through a combination of synchronous Zoom lessons and hands-on activities. You will explore various research technologies and career pathways while interacting directly with world-class faculty researchers, industry professionals, and near-peer mentors. Participation requires you to procure approximately $50 worth of common household materials to conduct experiments and demonstrations at home during the scheduled daily sessions. On the final day of the program, you have the option to attend an on-site workshop and tour at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine to see professional laboratory environments firsthand.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Location: Online
Cost: $1395 (Early bird rate of $1245 available by March 1)
Dates: March 10 – June 9 (Tuesdays from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM EST)
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 through 8
This twelve-week synchronous course introduces you to the foundational principles of engineering and technological literacy through interactive project-based learning. You will explore the nature of innovation by engaging in divergent thinking exercises and investigating the intersection of creativity and systems thinking. The curriculum emphasizes essential engineering habits of mind, including empathy, ethics, and optimism, as you develop design briefs to address real-world challenges. Throughout the semester, you will gain technical proficiency in engineering drawing techniques such as isometric sketching and computer-aided design (CAD) applications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 6–8 students (In-Person) or 5–8 students (Virtual)
Location: University of Southern California (USC) Main Campus, Los Angeles (In-Person) or Online (Virtual)
Cost: Varies by session; Scholarships are available
Dates: Weeklong sessions (In-Person) or Two-week sessions (Virtual) occurring throughout the summer months
Application Deadline: Rolling until registration closes; scholarship applications should be submitted before payment.
Eligibility: K–12 students; specific courses are partitioned by elementary, middle, and high school grade levels.
The CS@SC Summer Camps, hosted by the USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center, provide you with the opportunity to explore specialized technical disciplines often absent from standard school curricula. For those preferring a remote format, the virtual camps span two weeks with daily 90-minute synchronous sessions designed to maintain high levels of engagement through small cohort sizes. You can choose from a wide array of subjects, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game design, and robotics, all of which are taught by near-peer mentors. The program's primary objective is to build your confidence in coding and help you make informed decisions about pursuing STEM fields in the future.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Average of 6 students per cohort; 4-1 student-to-staff ratio
Location: Online
Cost: From $2,699.00 (Early registration discounts available)
Dates: July 6 – July 31 (Full AI Package); partial 3-week sessions also available
Application Deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: Students ages 12–18; 11-year-olds considered with proficiency in algebra
This intensive summer program transitions you from a technology consumer to a creator by teaching the foundational Python code that powers modern artificial intelligence. You will spend your mornings in interactive lectures and small, age-appropriate cohorts where you apply machine learning algorithms to analyze big data. The curriculum utilizes professional-grade libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, and Keras, ensuring you gain experience with the same tools used by industry data scientists. Throughout the four-week journey, you will develop a comprehensive portfolio project and receive a certificate of completion to verify your technical growth.
Lydia is an alumna from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation.
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