15 Summer Science Research Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 14 minutes ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a middle school student interested in science, summer programs can be a practical way to explore advanced academics before high school. Many programs offer structured exposure to research, projects, and scientific applications, while also helping you build transferable skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Compared to long-term academic commitments, these opportunities often provide effective learning and mentorship without being an expensive way to explore your interests.
What are the benefits of a research program?
For those drawn to scientific inquiry, summer science research programs for middle school students can be especially valuable. They introduce you to how research works in practice, whether through lab experiments, field studies, data analysis, or guided investigation. These programs also allow you to work alongside peers with similar interests and, in many cases, learn directly from researchers and educators in professional settings.
Below is a curated list of 15 summer science research programs for middle school students.
If you are looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
15 Summer Science Research Programs for Middle School Students
Location: 25 affiliates across the U.S.
Cost: Free
Dates: Multi-year program starting with a six-week summer component starting in the summer before 7th grade
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Rising 7th graders, though local requirements may vary slightly
Breakthrough Collaborative is a national, multi-year support program for academically motivated students from under-resourced schools in their middle school years. You will commit to six weeks of intensive summer programming for three consecutive summers, taught by college graduates from a variety of STEM fields. It covers all core STEM subjects across the years, providing holistic exposure to multiple aspects of the field. There is also a strong focus on college readiness, ensuring that you also develop the study habits and leadership skills necessary for future success.
Location: Online (Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers)
Cost: Varies | Full financial aid is available
Dates: 8 weeks (rolling cohorts throughout the year)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8 | Open to motivated students globally interested in exploring academic research or writing
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program pairs middle school students with PhD mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton to explore academic subjects and develop a written project. Across eight weeks, you’ll learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. You’ll receive individualized feedback through eight mentor sessions and two writing-coach sessions, ensuring you master both analytical and writing fundamentals. Research topics range from gene editing to behavioral economics.
Location: NYU Tandon Campus, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th graders who are NYC residents
The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) is a prestigious, tuition-free STEM program funded by the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. This program treats the city as a living laboratory where you use research and engineering skills to solve real-world urban challenges. You’ll learn about basics in electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, and environmental science through hands-on labs and design work. The program concludes with a demonstration event where you’ll work in a team to present your own prototypes or smart city solutions. If you’re interested in learning at the intersection of engineering, physical science, and social impact, this program is a top contender.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by cohort | Need-based financial aid is 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 | You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Veritas AI's AI Trailblazers program 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 developing an algorithm to generate a custom list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: June 24–July 12
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Current 6th–8th graders in a Chicago Public School.
Science First is a superb nature-based immersion program for students from Chicago Public Schools. It offers a fully funded, four-week research experience where you will learn the scientific method by studying the ecology and botany of the garden’s woodland, prairie, and river habitats. You will perform science experiments, go on nature walks with educators, enjoy Friday field trips, and even build your own projects, such as an aquaponics system. The experience emphasizes scientific inquiry, observation, and collaboration.
Location: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
Cost: Free
Dates: July 11–17 or July 18–24
Application Deadline: December 3
Eligibility: Current 6th–8th graders who live and attend school in Appalachia
Hosted at the prestigious Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee, this program is a fully funded residential research experience for students from the Appalachian region. You’ll engage in guided group science projects, working alongside award-winning scientists to conduct research in fields such as computer science, math, and applied science. The curriculum introduces advanced STEM careers, providing hands-on access to facilities at one of the largest U.S. Department of Energy research centers. The week culminates in group project presentations to peers and mentors.
Location: Various universities across the country
Cost: Free
Dates: Two-week sessions in the summer, with exact dates varying by location
Application Deadline: Usually around early May
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders who are members of a traditionally underserved and underrepresented population with at least a B overall in mathematics and science
The ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camps are among the prestigious and selective opportunities available for middle school students. Founded by astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr., this program is a fully funded residential camp hosted at various universities across the country. You will engage in a rigorous STEM curriculum focused on inquiry-based learning, engineering challenges, and experiments that simulate real research scenarios. The program focuses on underserved populations, aiming to increase proficiency in science and mathematics through hands-on activities and university-based mentorship. It is a 56-hour commitment over an intensive two-week period, integrating field excursions, lectures, and counselling sessions.
Location: Lemont, IL
Cost: Free
Dates: July 14–18
Application Deadline: Usually in the Spring (mid-April) | Limited to only 24 students
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders
Argonne National Laboratory’s Science Discovery Camp offers a focused, five-day STEM enrichment experience at a major U.S. Department of Energy research facility. You’ll collaborate on hands-on STEM activities designed to reflect how scientists at Argonne approach real research questions, including group projects and open-ended investigations. You’ll also tour laboratory facilities, interact with scientists and engineers, and explore a range of fields from computing to energy innovation. The program emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and STEM skill building in a professional research environment. Despite its short duration, the camp provides insight into laboratory careers and how scientific inquiry is conducted at a national lab.
Location: Dauphin Island, AL
Cost: $650, with limited financial assistance available
Dates: May 31–June 5 | June 14–19 | July 12–17 | July 19–24
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 2 and closes when full
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders
Hosted by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the state of Alabama's marine science education and research center, Gulf Island Journey is a residential field program that lets you study the ecology of the Gulf Coast. Far more than a typical camp, it enables you to engage in active field research, including trawling aboard a research vessel, seining in salt marshes, and conducting water-quality testing. The curriculum is designed to introduce you to the tools and methodologies used by professional marine biologists, providing a hands-on foundation in oceanography and environmental science.
Location: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
Cost: Varies by workshop, but is often fully funded or low-cost
Dates: One-week sessions (July–August)
Application Deadline: Registration opens in Spring
Eligibility: Grades 6–8
Brookhaven National Laboratory, a prestigious U.S. Department of Energy facility, offers Summer Science Explorations for middle school students. These programs utilize the lab's Science Learning Center to introduce you to cutting-edge research topics like biotechnology, astrophysics, quantum computing, and advanced mathematics. While some workshops may carry a small fee, they are significantly more affordable than private camps and offer access to national laboratory facilities and staff. The focus is on inquiry and on using scientific tools typically reserved for professional researchers.
11. SigmaCamp
Location: Sharon, CT
Cost: $1,850 | Financial aid is available
Dates: August 2–9
Application Deadline: Applications open February 1 and close around April
Eligibility: Students aged 12–15
Hosted at the Silver Lake Conference Centre in New York, SigmaCamp is an intellectually rigorous science camp taught by faculty comprising leading scientists and professors from institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stony Brook University. You’ll engage in “Semilabs" (seminar + labs), where you will both learn and apply theory in hands-on research modules ranging from semiconductor physics to molecular biology. You’ll also be guided by graduate students while working in small teams, providing both academic mentorship and a solid networking opportunity. While a shorter, paid experience, SigmaCamp offers guidance from top-tier faculty and a practical, hands-on curriculum.
Location: Groton, CT
Cost: $955
Dates: Multiple one-week residential sessions available between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling | Limited to only 32 campers per batch
Eligibility: Students aged 12–17
Located at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus, Project Oceanology offers a highly active research camp where you can experience becoming an actual crew member on an Enviro-Lab research vessel. You’ll spend your days conducting trawls, testing water chemistry, and analyzing sediment samples to monitor the health of the Long Island Sound. The program emphasizes real-world data collection and marine navigation skills, moving well beyond standard classroom learning. It is an authentic field research experience that lets you understand the daily life of a marine scientist.
13. AFA CyberCamps
Location: Nationwide, hosted by local schools/groups
Cost: $1,200 for a standard camp | $1,500 for an advanced camp
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions within June 1–August 14
Application Deadline: Varies by local host
Eligibility: Grades 6–8
Though these are paid camps, they are operated by the Air Force Association (AFA) and are designed to introduce students to the science of cybersecurity and systems defense. These camps are hands-on and technical, requiring you to learn to secure operating systems and defend against cyberattacks, mirroring the work of professional security researchers. The standard camp covers Windows and Linux security, culminating in a mock competition in which teams must identify and remediate vulnerabilities. It is an intensive, skills-based option if you’re seeking a summer program focused on computer science.
Location: East Lansing, MI
Cost: $1,045 for commuter option | $2,100 for residential option | Significant need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 22–26 | July 6–10
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–8 who meet strict eligibility criteria
While this is a paid program, it is one of the few university-hosted residential options for middle schoolers that focuses purely on advanced academic tracks. Depending on the batch, you will select one of three course tracks and investigate that subject in depth for the week. Course tracks include highly advanced topics such as protein structure, an introduction to data science, 3D animation, nuclear astrophysics, game design, and calculus. It offers significant financial aid to ensure accessibility. The program emphasizes advanced theory and practical application, using university resources to mimic a college research course.
Location: Berkeley, CA or virtual
Cost: Varies between $790–$1,190 | Need-based financial aid is available, covering up to 100% of base tuition
Dates: June 22–July 31
Application Deadline: February 25 (early deadline) | March 23 (standard deadline) | May 29 (extended deadline)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11, though some courses may have additional requirements
The Academic Talent Development Program at UC Berkeley is an academically rigorous summer program, and its financial aid options make its university-level coursework accessible to all qualified students. It offers courses in subjects such as biotechnology, marine biology, and environmental science, with significant laboratory components and research projects. Unlike a typical summer camp, this one is rigorous, and you will receive grades and evaluations for your work.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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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