10 Summer Environmental Science Programs for Middle School Students in Boston
Boston middle schoolers interested in environmental science can participate in summer programs that teach the subject. You can take this opportunity to expand your knowledge and gain field-specific skills. In addition, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills inculcated through these programs help you in all spheres of life, whether academic or professional.
These programs typically involve a rigorous curriculum that challenges you academically. You work on practical projects that demonstrate how environmental science works in the field. You may also go on trips and conduct original research. Through these activities, you get the opportunity to interact with professionals and experts. So, to help you make the most of these holistic development opportunities, we have compiled a list of 10 environmental science programs in Boston.
10 Summer Environmental Science Programs for Middle School Students in Boston
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: 8 weeks, varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
If you want to conduct original research in environmental science, you can consider Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program. This program pairs you with PhD mentors from various prestigious universities, like Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton, who are experts in environmental science and related subjects. As you conduct research and develop your paper, you learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study, which enables you to build crucial skills as you work on your research. You can expect to develop scientific communication skills through feedback and writing coaching sessions. You can publish your research in academic journals by participating in the Junior Research and Publication Program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Boston and Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 7 – 24 (session 1) and July 27 – August 7 (session 2) for the Boston program
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 5th – 8th grade students
The Summer Green Team is a free program held in Boston and Cambridge throughout the year. You work and spend time outdoors as you learn about the environment. The program involves garden work, STEAM-focused projects, and field trips to green spaces. You work in local gardens and interact with community leaders who provide insights into environmental conservation. Thus, you can explore potential pathways for your academics and career.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
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
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Students looking for an interdisciplinary program that teaches you environmental science and technology can participate in Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program. You gain the foundational knowledge required to understand AI and machine learning. The course covers a range of topics such as Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. These learnings are then applied to a practical project. You complete a project that solves a real-world environmental problem using technology. Past students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Deerfield, MA
Cost: $7,000 (boarding program) or $6,000 (day program)
Dates: July 8 – 26
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
This program by Deerfield Academy offers several project-based learning opportunities for middle schoolers. You can opt for the Future Cities: Designing for People & Planet track to explore environmental science. Here, you study real-world environmental challenges in the form of housing, transportation, climate change, and how to make spaces more welcoming for everyone. Throughout the program, you define the problem, develop ideas, and create prototypes of your solutions. You use data to design your solutions, whether it be making a greener neighborhood or how a city moves. The program helps you develop innovation, creativity, and collaboration skills.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20
Location: Nahant, MA
Cost: $600
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
COSA is a marine and environmental science summer program for students. Based in Nahant, MA, you learn about coastal habitats and ecology. Middle schoolers explore the sandy beach, rocky shore, open water/harbor, and coastal wetlands. Throughout the program, you will learn how to keep a field notebook and take basic measurements of weather, water quality, and biodiversity. You discover the interrelation among these parameters. In addition to academics, you tour research labs and interact with environmental scientists.
6. EXPLO 360°
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Cost: $6,295 (overnight) or $4,045 (day); financial aid may be available
Dates: Session 1: June 28 – July 11 (overnight) or June 29 – 10 (day)Session 2: July 12 – 25 (overnight) or July 13 – 24 (day)
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Rising 7th – 9th graders
EXPLO 360° offers a range of courses across different fields for you to study. You pick 2 workshops and 2 electives based on your interests. For the environmental science track, you can opt for the Wilderness Survival elective. You learn to navigate the wilderness and how to survive as an explorer. As you examine and study the environment, you learn to build shelter, practice emergency rescues, and treat wounds and diseases in the field. Every terrain is different, so you become adaptable as you read your surroundings.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: July 26 – 30, July 29 – August 4, and August 8 – 12
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders enrolled in the Boston Public Schools district
Middle schoolers can opt for this skill-building summer program that teaches you about the environment. On the academic front, you investigate the geology and ecology of forests, salt marshes, and beaches. On the skills front, you learn camp craft, wilderness skills, and environmental stewardship. Other activities include kayaking and backpacking along select trails. The program encourages you to solve problems, learn leadership, and develop confidence.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $1,420
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 9 who meet CTY-level verbal or quantitative scores
This program by Johns Hopkins CTY studies the environment in relation to its impact on neurobiology. You study how the changing environment and ecosystem affect the brain whether psychologically or biologically. You learn to identify risk factors, symptoms, and treatments for disorders. In addition to studying the environment and its health impacts, you develop public health messaging and announcements. The program allows you to practice advocacy for environmental justice and health equity.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $700
Dates: Summer dates to be announced
Application Deadline: One week before the program
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8 who meet the Emerald-tier eligibility criteria
Biology is at the core of environmental science. This program by Northwestern CTD helps you study the biology of our environment. You complete lab procedures and project-based experiments to learn the scientific method, biochemistry, microbiology, cell structure and cellular reproduction. Other crucial facets covered by the program include DNA, genetics, evolution, and ecology. You conduct original research and present your findings at the end of the program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Online
Cost: $3,200; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 15 – 26 (Session 1)
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 11
Stanford offers several programs for middle and high school students to explore their interests. This is a virtual program where you study environmental science in the context of developing solutions. You learn how people take action to mitigate and manage environmental challenges. You investigate global solutions (like minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting carbon sequestration); systemic solutions (like sustainable agricultural and green architecture); local solutions (like bioremediation of contaminated soils or restoration of degraded landscapes); and personal solutions. You conduct original research, make maps, and complete assignments that study your local environment and consider solutions. The course introduces the perspective of environmental justice.
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.