10 Summer Chemistry Programs for Gifted Middle School Students
- Lydia Park
- 2 hours ago
- 7 min read
Summer chemistry programs are valuable opportunities for gifted middle school students because they let you go beyond the basics of classroom science and experiment with advanced concepts earlier than most curricula allow. These experiences build scientific reasoning skills and expose you to lab‑based thinking that helps you learn how real scientists investigate questions and solve problems. By engaging in hands‑on learning and working directly with mentors, you begin to understand the research process and how chemical knowledge connects to real‑world issues. Gifted students in particular benefit from rigorous challenges that stimulate curiosity without unnecessary cost barriers, especially when financial aid or scholarships are available. Mentorship from scientists and educators deepens your insight into STEM and supports your growth as a young investigator. This list prioritizes selective, well‑funded opportunities hosted by respected institutions, with a focus on programs that are academically demanding and science‑centered. Each entry highlights what you’ll study, where you’ll be, and how to apply so you can find the best fit for your interests.
10 Summer Chemistry Programs for Gifted Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
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.
2. CCNY Stem Institute – General Chemistry
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12; proof of NYC residency required for stipend eligibility
This free summer program offers a rigorous introduction to general chemistry, covering essential topics like stoichiometry, atomic structure, thermochemistry, and intermolecular forces. You’ll participate in daily hands-on lab activities where you’ll learn techniques such as chromatography and measurement accuracy. The full-day schedule also includes time for research and collaborative projects, giving you a solid foundation in both theory and experimentation. You’ll be taught by experienced instructors in a college setting and join peers who share your passion for STEM. The program is designed to develop practical skills and prepare you for more advanced scientific learning.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate or Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; size not specified
Dates: July 6 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: New York State residents in grades 7–12 who are economically disadvantaged and/or underrepresented in STEM; minimum 80% average in math and science
S-PREP is a selective, tuition-free STEM enrichment program for students with strong academic records and an interest in medicine or related scientific fields. You’ll take advanced summer courses in subjects like chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry, taught by expert instructors. The program also offers PSAT preparation, career development workshops, and exposure to college-level lab and academic experiences. Classes are held five days a week, and students are eligible to apply for additional research internships such as Columbia’s BRAINYAC and YES in THE HEIGHTS. If you're ready to explore STEM seriously, S-PREP gives you college and career insight in a supportive, structured environment.
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/camp
Dates: June 26 – July 2
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 8th-grade students currently in 7th grade
This week-long summer camp introduces you to foundational science concepts through hands-on lab activities and classroom-based experiments. You’ll investigate elements and compounds, practice balancing chemical equations, and explore biology topics like muscle fatigue and body systems. Interactive challenges, including scavenger hunts and escape rooms, make the learning process dynamic and engaging. Lessons are led by experienced middle school science teachers and focus on real-life applications. The camp is free of charge and designed to deepen your interest in STEM while preparing you for more advanced coursework.
Location: Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
Cost: $1,225 for residential students; $750 for commuters (additional $50 lab fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 10
Application Deadline: Rolling (open until filled)
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8
This one-week course is part of Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Programs and introduces you to the core principles of chemistry through a mix of hands-on experiments, simulations, and real-world demonstrations. You’ll investigate how chemistry influences health, energy, and the environment, and how it connects to fields across science and technology. The curriculum is designed to spark curiosity through active learning in a university setting. Outside the classroom, you’ll participate in supervised recreational activities and get a taste of campus life. Financial assistance is available for qualifying students.
7. Penn GEMS
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: ~$650 (TBD); limited need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate / cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9 who live within 60 miles of Penn’s campus; minimum B average in math or science required; past participants may not reapply
Penn GEMS is a one-week day camp focused on engaging you in hands-on STEM experiences, many of which involve chemistry and life sciences. You’ll extract DNA from fruit to explore molecular biology, examine glowing proteins and RNA to understand how cells function, and analyze chemical principles involved in "glow in the dark" reactions. Activities also include exploring materials science through chemical structure and function, and applying chemistry concepts in bioengineering contexts. Guided by Penn faculty and students, you’ll take part in experiments and interactive sessions that emphasize chemistry’s role in health, energy, and technology. The program blends inquiry-based learning with collaborative problem-solving in a university setting.
Location: Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Cost: $220 (individual); $390 (paired registration for two students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; capped per session
Dates: Multiple sessions from June 9 to July 11
Application Deadline: June 1 or until full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
At Calvin’s Chemistry Camp, you’ll explore core chemistry topics through active, hands-on experiments guided by university professors and high school teachers. Projects include working with polymers like slime and silly putty, experimenting with states of matter and gases, and testing chemical reactions like acids and bases or redox processes. You’ll also practice techniques like chromatography and solution separation, connecting what you learn to real-world chemistry applications. The camp focuses on experimentation, curiosity, and safe lab practice in a university setting. Each session covers similar concepts with varied activities, allowing you to learn through both structured instruction and independent investigation.
Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Cost: $2,800 residential; $1,400 commuter; $200 deposit required
Acceptance rate / cohort size: ~150 students total; ~16 per class
Dates: June 7 – 19
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students completing grades 6–8; must be nominated and meet gifted/talent criteria such as high test scores or demonstrated achievement
SCATS offers you a two-week academic experience where you take four enrichment classes, including hands-on STEM options like “The Surprising Chemistry of Change: Fun with Reactions.” In this chemistry course, you’ll investigate redox reactions using silver coins, study colligative properties by making ice cream, and explore combustion through rubbing alcohol-fueled rockets. You'll also make bioplastics from milk and practice chemistry lab skills through creative, interactive experiments. The camp places a strong emphasis on both intellectual engagement and social development, with residential students participating in evening events and weekend activities. You'll live in a college dorm, explore your academic passions, and make connections with peers from across the country.
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $700 (non-refundable; payment due upon registration)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students per grade level
Dates: June 29 – July 9 (Monday–Thursday only)
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served
Eligibility: Students entering 7th or 8th grade in September
This program challenges you to think critically, conduct experiments, and collaborate on science-based projects in a college lab setting. Rising 7th graders focus on foundational lab skills through hands-on explorations in chemistry, physics, microbiology, and ecology. If you’re entering 8th grade, you’ll study topics like genetics, bioremediation, and environmental chemistry through real-world case studies. The curriculum encourages inquiry, computer research, group collaboration, and written analysis. By the end, you’ll build a stronger foundation for high school science and improve your ability to ask and answer complex scientific questions.
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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