10 Summer Engineering Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
Summer is a useful time to explore interests that you might not fully experience during the school year, and engineering is one field where hands-on exposure can make a major difference early on. Many summer engineering programs for middle school students introduce you to design thinking, robotics, coding, and problem-solving through guided projects. These programs often simulate elements of college life by placing you on university campuses, working with instructors or researchers, and collaborating with other students who share similar interests. At the same time, several options remain relatively affordable or offer financial aid, making them a practical way to explore engineering without a long-term commitment. Through these experiences, you can build foundational technical skills while also learning how engineers approach real-world challenges.
If you already have an interest in engineering, an online program can be another accessible way to participate in summer engineering programs for middle school students without traveling. Virtual formats often allow you to work with instructors from universities or organizations across the country while still participating in structured projects and discussions. To help you narrow down your options, we reviewed a range of summer engineering programs for middle school students and focused on opportunities that offer strong academic rigor, meaningful mentorship, and credible institutional backing. Several programs below are hosted by well-known universities or organizations, maintain small cohorts, or provide funding opportunities. Others stand out for their project-based structure or the opportunity to collaborate with professionals and present your work. The list below highlights programs that consistently provide structured introductions to engineering for middle school learners.
10 Summer Engineering Programs for 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.
Location: New York University, Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited enrollment
Dates: July 8 - August 2, Orientation June 28
Application Deadline: April 29
Eligibility: Students age 12–14, living in New York City, with a strong academic record and interest in STEM; must be able to attend full program
Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) immerses you in engineering, computer science, and technology designed to improve urban life. You work in teams to design projects using microcontrollers, sensors, coding, and electronics while learning practical applications of circuitry and programming. The program emphasizes hands-on problem-solving and ends with a final presentation where you showcase your project addressing a real-world urban challenge. You also participate in “Irondale,” an improv-based initiative that strengthens communication and public speaking skills. Classes are taught by NYU faculty and graduate students in a materials-rich environment that encourages experimentation and creativity. SoSC provides a unique combination of STEM skill-building, teamwork, and presentation experience within a fully funded summer program.
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: University of Illinois, Grainger College of Engineering, Urbana, IL
Cost/Stipend: $550 per camper plus a $25 deposit; Trail Blazer partial or full scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; generally 25–40%
Dates: June 29 - July 2
Application Deadline: Priority deadline March 31
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9 with interest in STEM; all genders welcome
These day camps at the University of Illinois introduce you to hands-on engineering projects and authentic STEM experiences. You explore electrical and computer engineering through classroom demonstrations, lab tours, and small projects designed to reinforce practical skills. Instructors include faculty, staff, and graduate students, providing guidance on problem-solving, design, and technical application. Collaborative teamwork is emphasized, and you have opportunities to present your work at the end of the week. The program also exposes you to a collegiate engineering environment and potential pathways for STEM careers. Scholarships are available through the Trail Blazer program for eligible participants, helping to make the camp more accessible.
Location: University of Illinois, Chicago, College of Engineering, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: $500 per student per week; includes lunch, project materials, and camp t-shirt; 10% discount for children of University of Illinois employees
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; small sub-groups of up to 30 students per track
Dates: Track 1 (Rising 6th–7th) July 13–17, Track 2 (Rising 8th–9th) July 20–24, Track 3 (Rising 10th–12th) July 27–31
Application Deadline: Not explicitly listed; registration recommended early
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th graders; students should be curious about STEM and able to participate full-time
UIC’s Engineering Summer Camp introduces you to engineering principles through hands-on challenges across multiple fields, including chemical, mechanical, computer, and civil engineering. Each day focuses on a different project, such as coding, robotics, or biomechanics, allowing you to apply math and science concepts in a practical setting. Camp activities are aligned with ABET standards, emphasizing teamwork, critical thinking, iterative design, and communication skills. Small groups let you collaborate closely with peers, faculty, and graduate students while exploring age-appropriate engineering problems. The older track includes college prep tips, lab tours, and guidance on engineering pathways. Across all tracks, you gain insight into real-world applications and the collaborative problem-solving skills used by professional engineers.
Location: University of Southern California, Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; students are only responsible for their own transportation and meals
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; 32 students per year
Dates: July 13–24
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders (currently enrolled in 5th–7th grade), B average in science and math; must attend full two-week program
At this camp, you explore multiple engineering disciplines, including aerospace, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering, along with computer science and coding. You engage in hands-on projects like building rockets, designing circuits, constructing bridges, and programming robots, applying real-world principles in a collaborative setting. Camp faculty include USC Viterbi instructors and engineers from Northrop Grumman, offering mentorship and insight into STEM careers. You work in teams to solve engineering challenges, strengthening problem-solving, design, and critical thinking skills. The program emphasizes experiential learning and exposes you to the collegiate engineering environment. With a small cohort of 32 students, you receive close guidance while developing both technical skills and an understanding of how engineers approach real-world problems.
Location: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO (CSU Spur, Denver for some sessions)
Cost/Stipend: $500 per participant; scholarships available for eligible students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: First-come, first-served; competitive for scholarship consideration
Dates: Engineering Your World: June 8–15, Creating Your World: June 15–19, Designing Your World: June 22–26
Application Deadline: Rolling; scholarship essays recommended for early submission
Eligibility: Ages 12–14, or rising 7th–9th graders for middle school programs; older students can enroll in high school program
At CSU, you explore core STEM concepts through highly interactive, hands-on projects in mechanical, civil, electrical, biomedical, and chemical engineering. You might build a Mars rover egg-lander, construct a prosthetic leg, test a spaghetti bridge, or experiment with circuits and slime—all in a collaborative lab environment. Student mentors guide you through creative problem-solving while introducing real-world applications and engineering tools like 3D printing and specialized lab equipment. The program emphasizes teamwork, design thinking, and iterative testing, allowing you to see how engineers tackle complex challenges. You gain exposure to multiple engineering fields in a single program while developing practical skills and confidence in STEM. Scholarships are available to support access for motivated students.
Location: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost/Stipend: $550 per week, including daily lunch; limited financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; exact cohort size not specified, staff-to-student ratio approximately 1:6
Dates: Imagine Engineering Camp I: July 6–10, Imagine Engineering Camp II: July 13–17; Computer Science: AI Play: July 13–17; SECURE IT: Introduction to Cybersecurity: July 20–24
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders, including home-schooled and out-of-state students
At NC State, you tackle hands-on engineering challenges in a supportive, collaborative environment. You might design earthquake-proof bridges, solar-powered boats, or nitrogen ice cream machines while exploring the engineering design process through creative investigations. You’ll work in small teams, learning how engineers solve real-world problems while building teamwork, critical thinking, and presentation skills. Camps also introduce computer science, AI, and cybersecurity concepts, giving you a foundation in emerging technologies. Each day includes breaks, outdoor time, and opportunities to present your improved designs to peers. Faculty, engineering students, and teachers guide you throughout, ensuring a safe and engaging experience.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $75 commitment fee after acceptance; no lodging provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; panel-reviewed applications; exact cohort size not specified
Dates:
Austin Session 1: June 8–11
Austin Session 2: July 6–9
Houston & San Antonio sessions: By invitation only
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders; students from schools without engineering/STEM courses are particularly encouraged
LESC is a hands-on, interactive day camp where students explore the broad impact of engineering in fields like art, sports, medicine, and sustainability. Campers engage in daily guided activities and presentations led by UT Austin faculty and students, learning fundamental engineering concepts and applying them through team-based projects. The program emphasizes inclusivity, leadership, and access for students overcoming socioeconomic or educational barriers. Participants gain exposure to real-world applications of engineering while building teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment.
10. dynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; exact cohort size not specified
Dates:
Week 1: August 17–21 (Rising 6th–7th graders)
Week 2: August 24–28 (Rising 8th–9th graders)
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th grade students; priority for students from low-income families or who lack access to STEM enrichment programs
dynaMIT is a hands-on, student-run summer program where MIT undergraduate and graduate students mentor middle schoolers in science and engineering. Participants engage in weekly interactive experiments and projects designed to ignite curiosity and develop STEM skills. The program emphasizes mentorship, creativity, and practical learning, with a focus on increasing access to STEM for students from historically underserved communities. All activities are conducted on the MIT campus, providing students with an authentic experience of college-level science and engineering.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Director, Dhruva, at dhruva.bhat@lumiere.education, or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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