13 Biology Camps for Middle School Students
Biology camps can be a useful way for you to explore life sciences while you are still in middle school. These camps often introduce topics like ecosystems, human biology, and environmental science through structured activities and guided experiments. You can also build foundational scientific skills while learning alongside peers who share similar interests.
How are camps different from other programs in middle school?
Camps are usually shorter and more focused than long-term academic programs, allowing you to explore a subject over a few days or weeks without a major time commitment. Activities can include experiments, field observations, group projects, or lab-based exercises that encourage active participation and scientific thinking. This format can help you explore biology in a more interactive and flexible learning environment.
To help with your search, we have a list of 13 biology camps for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer (July) + Academic Year (October-May)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 7-12
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is a long-running academic enrichment initiative that introduces middle school students to subjects connected to biology and medicine. Through structured classes in areas like anatomy, biochemistry, and brain science, students begin to understand how different scientific disciplines come together in healthcare and research. The program also includes workshops, field trips, and college-preparation support, creating a broader learning experience beyond coursework. While it runs longer than a typical camp, the summer session in particular operates like a focused academic camp, offering consistent, practical engagement with life sciences topics. It’s especially useful for students who are already curious about medical or STEM pathways and want a more guided, classroom-style introduction.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers
Location: Online (Veritas AI)
Cost: Varies; need-based 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. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: 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.
3. Harvard's BioCamp for Middle Scholars
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,000-$2,000 (depending on module)
Dates: July - August (multiple sessions)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Ages 10-14
BioCamp at Harvard University is an immersive summer camp that introduces middle school students to core areas of life sciences through interactive, inquiry-based learning. The program is divided into three modules: Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Neuroscience. Each focuses on a different aspect of how living systems function, from microscopic organisms to the human brain. Taught by active researchers, the sessions emphasize experimentation, observation, and collaborative activities rather than passive learning. Students might explore how cells work, understand disease mechanisms, or learn how the brain processes information, all in an accessible and engaging format. With flexible enrollment options across one- and two-week modules, the camp allows students to explore specific interests or experience multiple areas of biology.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; check the website for details
Application Deadline: Rolling year-round
Eligibility: Motivated middle school students
The Junior Explorer Program by Lumiere Education is a short and exploratory program that introduces middle school students to structured academic thinking through guided projects and mentorship. While it spans multiple subject areas, students interested in biology can engage with topics in life sciences, health, or environmental studies, depending on the track and mentor pairing. The program emphasizes curiosity-driven learning, where students work on small projects, ask questions, and begin to understand how research and problem-solving work in real-world contexts. Sessions are interactive and discussion-based, making them accessible for students without prior experience. As a camp-style experience, it’s less about depth and more about exposure - helping students build confidence, explore interests, and get comfortable with the idea of independent inquiry at an early stage.
5. Expedition: Bio - Whitehead Institute
Location: Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $500
Dates: July 6 - 17 and August 17 - 28
Application Deadline: Check the website for this year’s registration details
Eligibility: Rising 7th-8th graders
Expedition: Bio at the Whitehead Institute is a two-week immersive camp that introduces middle school students to the breadth of modern biology through hands-on exploration and lab-based learning. Designed as an interactive day camp, the program blends classroom sessions with practical activities, allowing students to engage with concepts from ecology, genetics, chemistry, and bioengineering. Students work through guided experiments, outdoor observations, and discussions with working scientists, helping them understand how biological research is applied to real-world challenges. The structure encourages curiosity and questioning, making it especially engaging for students who enjoy learning by doing. With its strong emphasis on experimentation and exposure to active research environments, the camp offers a well-rounded introduction to life sciences while keeping the experience accessible and engaging for this age group.
6. UT Dallas Biology Virtual Camps
Location: Online
Cost: $200
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year (including fall weekends)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
The Biology Virtual Camps by The University of Texas at Dallas are exceptionally structured online sessions designed to help middle school students build a stronger foundation in core biology concepts. Typically held on weekends, these camps focus on key topics through interactive teaching, guided problem-solving, and instructor-led discussions. While aligned with more advanced coursework like AP Biology, the sessions remain accessible to younger students who are beginning to explore the subject more seriously. The format is compact and focused, making it easier to engage with biology without a long-term commitment while still offering a taste of academic rigor. It works well for students who prefer a classroom-style camp experience that blends concept-building with practical application through questions and exercises.
7. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy - Morehouse School of Medicine
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $850
Dates: June 1 - 26
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Grades 5-8
The MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy at the Morehouse School of Medicine is a four-week summer camp that introduces middle school students to science and health-related fields through immersive, inquiry-based learning. While the curriculum spans broader STEAM topics, it places a strong focus on biology and human health, with activities such as dissections, experiments, and explorations of how the body works. Students engage in projects that connect science to real-life applications, helping them understand the role of biology in medicine and everyday health. The program also integrates creative and interdisciplinary elements, making the learning experience more engaging and accessible. As a camp-style experience, it offers a structured yet interactive environment for younger students to build curiosity, develop foundational skills, and explore early interests in life sciences and healthcare.
8. Sound Explorations - Sound Experience
Location: Puget Sound, WA
Cost: ~$4,100/day (group cost)
Dates: Multiple sessions (varies by booking)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grade 5 and above
Sound Explorations by Sound Experience is an immersive, field-based biology camp that takes students out onto Puget Sound to study marine ecosystems in real time. Hosted aboard a sailing vessel, the program focuses on environmental biology and ecology, helping students understand how different life forms interact within a larger ecosystem. Through hands-on activities and collaborative tasks, participants explore topics such as biodiversity, conservation, and human impacts on marine environments. The experience is highly interactive, combining science learning with teamwork and outdoor exploration. As a camp-style program, it stands out for its experiential approach: students aren’t just learning about ecosystems; they’re directly observing and engaging with them in a real-world setting.
9. Science Exploration Program - Stony Brook University
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $700
Dates: June 29 - July 9
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served
Eligibility: Students entering Grades 7-8
The Science Exploration Program at Stony Brook University is a lab-based summer camp that introduces middle school students to core scientific concepts through hands-on experimentation. While the program spans multiple disciplines, it places strong emphasis on biology through topics such as microbiology, genetics, ecology, and environmental science. Students engage in guided lab work, case studies, and group projects that help them understand how biological systems function and respond to challenges such as disease and environmental change. The curriculum is designed to build foundational lab skills while encouraging curiosity and independent thinking. With its structured yet interactive format, the camp works well for students who want an early, practical introduction to scientific inquiry before transitioning into more advanced high school coursework!
10. Middle School Biotechnology Camps - HudsonAlpha Institute
Location: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL
Cost: $200
Dates: Multiple sessions in June - July
Application Deadline: Rolling / until filled
Eligibility: Rising Grades 6-8
The Middle School Biotechnology Camps at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology are hands-on summer programs that introduce students to genetics and molecular biology through practical lab work. In the “Code of Life” camp, students explore DNA through experiments such as extraction, studying genetic traits, and even creating glow-in-the-dark bacteria. Along the way, they learn how genetic information influences living organisms and how changes in DNA relate to disease. The program also familiarizes students with real lab tools and techniques, offering early exposure to how biological research is conducted. With its strong focus on experimentation and accessible instruction, the camp is especially engaging for students who want a direct, tactile introduction to biotechnology and lab science.
11. Body Systems and Biomedical Innovations - The Lawrence
Location: University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: ~$1,550 (residential add-on extra)
Dates: Multiple sessions in June - July; check the website for details
Application Deadline: Rolling (sessions may fill up)
Eligibility: Grades 7-9
The Body Systems and Biomedical Innovations camp at The Lawrence Hall of Science is a one-week, hands-on program that explores how the human body works and how medical technologies are used to diagnose and treat diseases. Students investigate different body systems through activities like dissecting a sheep heart, extracting DNA, and analyzing how organs function and fail. The program also introduces medical problem-solving, where students use diagnostic techniques to work through case studies of fictional patients. Interactions with doctors and exposure to lab environments add depth, helping students connect biological concepts to healthcare applications. With its strong mix of lab work, simulations, and applied learning, the camp offers an engaging introduction to human biology and biomedical science.
12. Intermediate Marine Science Camp - AIO
Location: Seal Harbor, ME
Cost: $3,300
Dates: June 28 - July 10 or August 9 - 21
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising Grades 7-9 (ages 12-14)
The Intermediate Marine Science Camp by Atlantic Institute of Oceanography is a two-week residential program that introduces middle school students to oceanography through a mix of fieldwork and basic lab techniques. Set in a coastal environment, the camp focuses on understanding marine ecosystems by exploring tidal pools, salt marshes, and open water systems. Students engage in activities like water testing, building and maintaining saltwater tanks, and observing marine biodiversity, while also learning how geological, chemical, and biological processes interact in ocean environments. Field excursions, including whale watching and coastal exploration, and a strong experiential component, make the learning highly immersive. With its balance of academic structure and outdoor exploration, the camp is well-suited for students who want a deeper, nature-based introduction to marine biology!
13. ELIO Academy
Location: Online (ELIO Academy)
Cost: $575
Dates: Multiple sessions: June 22 - July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
The Foundational Track at ELIO Academy is a two-week online program for middle school students that teaches core concepts in biomedical science through a structured, accessible format. Designed for beginners, the program lays a foundation in areas such as human biology, disease mechanisms, and medical research without requiring prior knowledge. Students engage with topics such as biotechnology, bioinformatics, and translational medicine, gaining early exposure to how biology connects with real-world healthcare challenges. The sessions combine lectures with guided group discussions, encouraging students to think critically about scientific questions and engage with simplified research material. A key component is the final project, in which students apply what they’ve learned to explore a specific problem or concept in greater depth, often through presentations or reports. With its short duration and focused curriculum, the program serves as a camp-style experience, offering a glimpse into medical science while helping students build confidence in scientific thinking and collaboration.