15 Chemistry Programs for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student interested in chemistry, a chemistry program can be a great way to get insights into the field beyond the classroom. Chemistry programs often combine lab experiments, collaborative projects, and guidance from experienced mentors, offering you a firsthand look at how professional scientists approach problems.
As a participant, you can gain exposure to practical lab skills and data analysis, as well as learn how chemistry connects to industry applications in areas such as medicine, energy, or environmental science. These programs also offer opportunities to meet peers who share your interest in science.
Many of these programs are run by respected universities, science centers, and enrichment organizations, offering you a rigorous curriculum to help you prepare for future education. Some options are conducted virtually, making them accessible options that you can explore from anywhere.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve narrowed down a list of 15 chemistry programs for middle school students.
1. MIT’s dynaMIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Week 1: August 11 – 15 (rising 6th and 7th-graders) | Week 2: August 18 – 22 (rising 8th and 9th-graders)
Application deadline: Applications open in the spring
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th-graders with a demonstrated interest in STEM
dynaMIT is a free, week-long STEM camp run by MIT undergraduate students that offers middle schoolers the chance to explore science and engineering in a fun, hands-on way. Through experiments, team-based projects, and interactive workshops, you will work on challenges that highlight topics from chemistry, physics, and engineering. Past sessions have included labs focusing on chemical reactions, demonstrations of materials science, and problem-solving activities inspired by real-world research. The camp emphasizes collaboration and creativity, with MIT mentors guiding small groups through activities.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility: Students in 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. Stony Brook University’s Science Exploration Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $675
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum of 24 students/grade level
Dates: June 30 – July 10
Application deadline: First-come, first-served basis; registration closes once spots are filled
Eligibility: Students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade in September
The Science Exploration Program at Stony Brook University offers middle school students a lab-based introduction to advanced science fields, including chemistry, biology, microbiology, ecology, and biotechnology. If you are entering 7th grade, you will build foundational lab skills and participate in experiments across chemistry and physics. Rising 8th graders typically focus on case studies in environmental chemistry, cholera, genetics, and bioremediation, tying science to real-world issues while exploring key concepts like homeostasis. For rising 9th graders, the program emphasizes independent research in botany, microbiology, genetics, and molecular biology, covering how to design experiments, test hypotheses, and present conclusions.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort; opportunities available in summer, spring, winter, and fall
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; upcoming cohort’s applications are due on December 28
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a selective, research-based opportunity that pairs you 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor to explore academic passions across STEM and humanities. The eight-week timeline begins with exploration of multiple subjects before narrowing to a single project, culminating in a research deliverable. Within STEM tracks, you can pursue chemistry-related projects or interdisciplinary projects combining chemistry with molecular biology, medicine, or environmental science. In the process, you will gain experience in reading scientific literature, designing experiments, and writing research papers. With access to mentors drawn from universities like Harvard, Oxford, and MIT, you will gain personalized guidance and exposure to advanced methods typically reserved for older students.
5. UT Southwestern STARS Science Camps
Location: UT Southwestern campus, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; space is limited
Dates: June 26 – July 2
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Current 7th graders
UT Southwestern’s STARS Middle School Camp offers a free, week-long immersion in lab science focusing on chemistry alongside biology and physics. You will complete hands-on experiments and guided classroom work and hear from UT Southwestern staff and faculty through lectures to see how scientific concepts translate to fundamental research. The curriculum emphasizes measurement, data collection, and scientific communication (notebooks, group work, and short write-ups). You will also learn about body systems and how to balance chemical equations. Selection considers academic strength and broadening participation in STEM, but these are not strict requirements.
6. Johns Hopkins CTY On-Campus Summer Programs: Crystals and Polymers
Location: Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
Cost: Residential $7,259; Commuter $6,459; Lab fee $180; nonrefundable application fee $55 (waived for aid applicants); international fee $250 (if applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; typical class size 14–16
Dates: June 22 – July 11 | July 13 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 and 6 who meet the CTY-level qualification criteria
In this lab-focused course, you’ll investigate how atomic and molecular structure determines the properties of everyday materials, from gems to plastics. Activities include growing crystals (e.g., salt, rock candy) to study lattice structure and color, synthesizing slime/Silly Putty to explore chain length and cross-linking in polymers, and isolating strawberry DNA to discuss biopolymers and protein denaturation. You’ll also test superabsorbent polymers (like those used in diapers) and connect observations to real-world materials science. The curriculum builds core chemistry skills (ions, compounds, bonding) while emphasizing measurement, observation, and evidence-based explanations.
7. Stony Brook University’s Holiday Science Camp
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $65/day
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 24 students/session
Dates: Single-day sessions during the academic year
Application deadline: Register early; sessions may be canceled 1 week prior if enrollment is low
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–7
Stony Brook’s Holiday Science Camp offers themed, lab-based single-day workshops that blend experimentation with guided exploration. Each day involves activities such as reading, writing, and group work, with past offerings also including kitchen chemistry and physical science demos. At camp, you will learn how to use microscopes and conduct water-quality tests in Marine Biology, investigate acoustics and echolocation (and even build DIY “speakers”) in the Sound session, and explore space science topics like the sun, moon, and constellations in the Solar System day. The Outdoors session includes a flower dissection, greenhouse tour, nature walk, and simple hydroponics, tying biology and environmental chemistry to hands-on activities.
8. Johns Hopkins CTY On-Campus Summer Programs: Chemistry in Society Course
Location: Multiple campuses (Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA; Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA; Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY)
Cost: Residential $7,259 – $7,501 | Commuter $6,459 – $6,701 + Lab fee $180 + nonrefundable application fee $55 (waived for aid applicants) + international fee $250 (if applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; typical class size: 18–20
Dates: LMU: June 22 – July 11; July 13 – August 1 | Dickinson: June 22 – July 11 | Skidmore: June 29 – July 18; July 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served enrollment
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who meet CTY eligibility in terms of their qualifying test scores/assessments
CTY’s Chemistry in Society is a lab-centered course that uses real-world scenarios to teach core chemistry concepts and techniques. As a participant, you will investigate the periodic table, atomic structure, and bonding while running experiments on solubility, water quality/toxins, and calorimetry. Projects may include preparing biodiesel to study alternative fuels and synthesizing aspirin to examine pharmaceutical chemistry and safety. You will also participate in a town-hall simulation on preserving a community water source, practicing evidence-based argumentation using your lab data. The course integrates reading, data analysis, and collaborative writing to mirror authentic scientific work. The program aims to prepare students for high school academics.
9. Penn GEMS
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Fee TBD for the upcoming session; past camp fee was ~$650; limited need-based aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited space
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: March 1; applications open on January 20
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th-graders who live and attend school within ~60 miles of Penn and maintain at least a “B” average.
Penn GEMS is a week-long, hands-on STEM day camp where middle schoolers rotate through labs and workshops led by Penn students, researchers, and faculty. Activities vary by year and may cover topics like materials science (polymers, nanomaterials), bioengineering (DNA extraction, cell modeling), robotics, and computing, providing you with a broad view of how engineers and scientists tackle real-world problems. The schedule emphasizes teamwork, iterative design, and communication skills essential in lab settings. The program also offers materials-focused and biochemistry-aligned modules, which provide chemistry exposure without the cost or travel demands of a residential camp.
10. Johns Hopkins CTY On-Campus Summer Programs: Fast-Paced High School Chemistry
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA, and Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Cost: Residential $7,259–$7,501; Commuter $6,459–$6,701; Lab fee $180; nonrefundable application fee $55 (waived for aid applicants); international fee $250 (if applicable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; typical class size: 18–20
Dates: LMU: June 22 – July 11; July 13 – August 1 | Roger Williams: June 22 – July 11; July 13 – August 1
Application deadline: Applications are open seasonally and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who have taken Algebra I and meet advanced CTY-level qualification criteria; if you just completed grade 7, CTY recommends taking Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences first.
This accelerated, residential course compresses a full year of introductory high school chemistry into a single session. Here, you will cover atomic structure, periodic trends, bonding, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids/bases, solutions, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Lab time exceeds 20 hours, offering you exposure to investigations such as percent composition, theoretical vs. percent yield, molar mass of a gas, reaction-rate factors, and acid–base titrations. Coursework will emphasize quantitative problem solving and lab technique so you can enter high school or AP/IB chemistry with a strong foundation. The course is ungraded, allowing you to explore core concepts and build practical skills without worrying about performance.
11. Calvin University’s Chemistry Camp
Location: Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
Cost: $220 (single registration) | $390 (paired registration for two campers sharing a station); Fees include instruction, materials, and a T-shirt; snacks/lunch not provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; space is limited
Dates: Sessions A and B: June 9 – 13 (separate morning and afternoon sessions) | Sessions C and D: June 16 – 20 (separate morning and afternoon sessions) | Sessions E and F: July 7–11 (morning and afternoon sessions, respectively)
Application deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling, first-come basis; waitlist begins after June 1 if sessions are full.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
Calvin’s Chemistry Camp is a hands-on, lab-based day program that helps middle schoolers explore core chemistry through lively demos and guided experiments. Led by a university professor and experienced high school chemistry teachers, you will investigate states of matter and density, run CO₂ cannon activities, synthesize polymers (slime, superballs, Silly Putty), and study mixtures and solutions (foams, gels). Additional modules cover acid–base and redox reactions, as well as separations (chromatography, extraction), emphasizing observation, data collection, and safe laboratory technique. Morning and afternoon sessions cover similar topics with different activities, so you can choose a time that aligns with your needs.
12. Boston Leadership Institute Chemistry of Cooking
Location: Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA, and Bentley University & Gann Academy, Waltham, MA
Cost: $699 tuition; residential add-on offered at an additional price
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; space is limited
Dates: Session 1: June 23 – 27 | Session 2: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Middle schoolers
This one-week, hands-on program focuses on cooking to cover core chemical ideas. You will investigate proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, then connect those molecules to real techniques—why cakes rise, how emulsions stabilize, what “going too far” looks like in a recipe, etc. Kitchen labs span topics like acids/bases, reaction rates, separations, and materials (e.g., polymers in doughs and candies), with each activity tied to the science of everyday foods. Instruction is led by BLI staff and university-affiliated instructors. Sessions run on two Boston-area campuses and are structured for middle school students who want a fun, rigorous introduction to chemistry.
13. CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. @ Georgia Tech
Location: Georgia Tech Atlanta Campus, GA
Cost: $400–$650; extended care available for an additional fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come, first-served; space is limited
Dates: Weekly sessions; June–July
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until sessions fill
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders
CEISMC’s Summer P.E.A.K.S. offers one- and two-week, hands-on STEAM experiences on the Georgia Tech campus, with select weeks featuring chemistry-focused modules. You will engage in lab-style activities that may cover core chemistry skills (measurement, safe handling, observation), materials science, and real-world problem solving through guided experiments and team projects. Instruction is designed and delivered by Georgia Tech’s expanded learning team, with activities differentiated by grade so concepts remain accessible. The day-camp format comes with optional extended care supports working caregivers.
14. Texas A&M University’s Expanding Your Horizons (EYH)
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $10 per participant
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One-day event on December 6
Application deadline: December 3; registration opens on November 3
Eligibility: 5th and 6th-graders; the focus is on encouraging girls in STEM, but students of all genders can attend.
Expanding Your Horizons is a day-long, hands-on STEM career conference for younger middle schoolers that includes three rotating workshops, a Texas A&M Physics Show, and a career-mapping activity. Sessions are led by scientists, engineers, and college mentors, giving participants direct exposure to real STEM pathways and role models. While the conference spans many STEM fields, chemistry-themed workshops are typically part of the rotation (e.g., reactions, materials, or lab demos). The schedule is structured and fast-paced, consisting of check-in, back-to-back workshops, and a closing session. Seats are limited, and the event typically fills quickly.
15. Well-Trained Mind Academy (WTMA): Chemistry for the Logic Stage Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: Full-year courses: $775–$950 + $100 registration fee + $25 STEM fee (max $50 per student using STEM tools); tuition-specific pricing appears in the public catalog.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; class size limited to 15 students
Dates: August–May; sessions held twice/week for 50–55 minutes
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; parents/guardians need to proctor tests
This full-year, inquiry-based course is designed to help you build a strong middle-school foundation in chemistry, connecting structure to properties and everyday materials. You will study the periodic table, properties of matter and solutions, chemical reactions, acids/bases, biochemistry, and chemistry in industry, while practicing research skills and the scientific method across units. Live classes will offer exposure to data collection/analysis, narrative summaries, group work, and formal lab-style write-ups. Typical hands-on activities (completed at home with guidance) complement concepts covered in class, and the required text is provided on the course page for easy sourcing.
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