14 Medical Summer Programs for Middle School Students
If you are curious about how health professionals work, medical programs can be a solid way to spend your summer. Medical programs offer early exposure to healthcare, biomedical science, and public health while helping explore medicine beyond classroom science through structured experiences. As a participant, you will learn about anatomy, physiology, and patient care through interactive activities, simulations, workshops, case studies, and/or demonstrations that explain how healthcare professionals approach problems. Some programs also include mentorship from physicians or researchers, giving you insight into medical career pathways.
What are the benefits of a medical program?
Medical programs go beyond the typical middle school curriculum by helping you explore healthcare in a structured and supervised environment. You will often work on introductory anatomy modules, simulated patient scenarios, and basic diagnostic reasoning exercises. Some programs include lab demonstrations, discussions of public health research, or interactive workshops that explain how hospitals and clinics operate. You may also develop presentation skills while sharing your project outcomes with peers or instructors at the end of the program. These experiences can help you build early familiarity with medical terminology and scientific methodology while reinforcing critical thinking and teamwork.To help you get started, we have put together a list of 14 medical summer programs for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online math programs, check out our blog here.
1. Baptist Health Sciences University’s HealthCORE Summer Camp
Location: Baptist Health Sciences University (BHSU), Memphis, TN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application deadline: Not specified; registration window opens in March.
Eligibility: Incoming 6th to 12th graders
The HealthCORE Camp is a five-day program for middle and high schoolers interested in health careers. You will learn about health professions and aspects of medicine through clinical observation, laboratory sessions, and activities focused on first aid, public health, and emergency care. You will also get to tour BHSU and a hospital to observe real healthcare work. Additionally, you will participate in group and individual activities to develop skills like dissection and lab diagnosis. The experience can offer you exposure to daily operations in medicine and healthcare.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays) during the summer; dates vary by year
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Veritas AI's AI Trailblazers program is a virtual program that helps middle school students explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You will learn these concepts through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. In the past, projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to generate a customized list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
3. UT Southwestern STARS Middle School Camp
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 26 – July 2
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 7th-grade students
This one-week camp at UT Southwestern Medical Center is part of the STARS (Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern) program and is taught by middle school teachers. You will work through hands-on lab exercises covering topics like microscope use, muscle fatigue, elements and compounds, phylogenetic trees, and the law of conservation of mass. You will also take on a fun ice cream-making science activity. Afternoon sessions will help you explore topics including cell theory, body systems, and balancing chemical equations, and will include activities such as a scavenger hunt and an escape room. The curriculum can help you prepare for future biomedical and broader STEM academics.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer cohorts begin in June/July and run for eight weeks
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students with strong academic backgrounds
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a research-based experience for middle school students interested in delving into a subject in depth. During the program, you will work with Ph.D.-level mentors from leading universities to develop independent research projects based on your interests. You can choose from fields like medicine, biomedicine, and healthcare, and narrow down topics for your project, which could be a research report, presentation, or anything else that reflects your skills and knowledge. This experience can help you refine your critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and independent research skills and prepare for academic competitions and research opportunities.
5. Medical Academy of Science and Health (MASH) Camps
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: Free except for a nominal entry fee (amount varies by location); need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by location
Dates: Typically in July; 1–3-day camps with varying dates depending on the site
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 12; each camp has a specific age range
MASH runs summer camps in medicine and healthcare across the U.S. at Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) and other educational institutions. At camp, you will learn through simulations in medical/nursing labs and workshops covering topics such as pathology, surgery, cardiac care, and nursing. You will wear hospital scrubs and participate in training and activities held at the camp. While the specific activities may vary, you may learn to use microscopes, measure blood pressure, and perform first aid. You will get a certificate of completion at the end of the program.
6. City of Hope Saturday Science Days
Location: City of Hope main campus, Duarte, CA
Cost: Free (all materials provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: October – August (no events in September); third Saturday of each month
Application deadline: No deadline; registration opens on the 1st of each month; spots are limited and fill up quickly
Eligibility: Students, ages 8 – 13
Saturday Science Days is a monthly workshop series run by City of Hope's STEM Training and Education Program (STEP) that exposes students to new ideas, topics, and potential career paths in science. Each month features a different theme, and during the events, you will be organized into small groups of five to six students to complete a series of hands-on experiments tied to that theme. Past themes have included “The Code of Life,” “Nurses Day,” and “The Science of Sound.” The program is designed to offer insights into science, cancer research, and other STEM fields beyond the school curriculum.
7. Columbia University's State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: Summer: July; Academic Year weekly sessions: November – May
Application deadline: Typically, April (summer) and September (academic year)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 from economically disadvantaged, Alaskan Native, African American, Hispanic/Latino, and/or American Indian backgrounds; applicants must be New York residents and able to maintain a 80% grade average, particularly in math and science.
Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program, held at the Irving Medical Center on campus, is designed for students interested in medical and STEM careers. The program is split into two phases: a summer session and classes on Saturdays through the academic year. During the program, you will enroll in courses on anatomy, biochemistry, brain and cognitive science, and pre-med prep. You will also participate in college tours, sessions on college prep and PSAT prep, counseling services, and field trips to prepare for future STEM/medical academics. Your participation will make you eligible for other medical programs, such as BRAINYAC and YES in THE HEIGHTS, in high school.
8. UC Berkeley/Lawrence Teen Research Programs: Body Systems and Biomedical Innovations
Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,550 (lunch included) + optional residential tuition: $1,350; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10 | July 20 – 24 | July 27 – 31
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 9
This five-day program at UC Berkeley offers you hands-on experience exploring how body systems work, how they can break down, and how scientists and engineers are developing solutions. You will use real diagnostic techniques to work through fictional patient cases, dissect a sheep's heart, experiment with DNA extraction, and build models of human organs, such as the lungs. Each afternoon, you will attend a “Pathways” session where you will tour research labs, meet current college students, and speak with STEM professionals about their careers. On the last day, you will present your project to peers, family members, and program instructors. An optional residential add-on is available, which allows you to experience life on a college campus.
9. University of Pennsylvania’s Future Scientists: Biology Edition
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $2,400 (includes program fees and lunch); $300 discount on submitting the deposit by May 15
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 10 | August 10 – 14
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th grade students
This five-day commuter program takes place at Penn's Leidy Labs and gives you a hands-on introduction to working in a molecular biology lab. You will learn in undergraduate teaching labs under a Ph.D.-level instructor and explore techniques like DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, light microscopy, ELISA, and sterile cell culture. The program also includes visits to Penn research labs, Q&A sessions, and daily lunch in a university dining hall. You will leave with a lab coat and a Certificate of Completion. While not a typical medicine-focused experience, the program can prepare you for future opportunities in biomedical and healthcare fields.
10. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Institutes: Health/Medical Track
Location: Online Program
Cost: $3,200
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; small class size
Dates: June 15 – 26 | July 6 – 17
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 11; course-wise requirements can vary.
Stanford offers a range of online pre-college courses to help middle and high school students explore their interests. You can choose courses in biomedicine, healthcare, and biology to build a foundation for future medical studies. Depending on the course you choose, you will explore topics in human biology, disease mechanisms, and the ethical considerations of modern medicine. The curriculum often includes analytical readings, instructor-led lectures, and structured discussions designed to help you build scientific literacy. Some courses incorporate simulated clinical case studies, where you evaluate symptoms and explore possible diagnoses. You may also practice communicating scientific ideas through short presentations or written assignments.
11. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY): Medical Track
Location: Online or select campus locations
Cost: Varies by course and format; financial aid may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective admissions; cohort sizes vary by course
Dates: Multiple summer sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–12 who meet CTY criteria for the course; specific options are available for middle schoolers.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers advanced summer courses that introduce middle school students to foundational topics in human anatomy and physiology. Based on the course you choose, you will explore how body systems such as the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems function and interact. You will often work through case studies, structured problem sets, and guided discussions to understand how medical professionals interpret biological processes. Coursework may also include virtual lab demonstrations and interactive simulations that illustrate real clinical concepts. These activities can help you become familiar with medical terminology while strengthening your scientific reasoning. Toward the end of your course, you will typically complete analytical assignments or presentations demonstrating your understanding of core physiological principles.
12. City of Hope’s Jr. Medical Investigators Camp
Location: City of Hope main campus, Duarte, CA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Current 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
This week-long, half-day summer camp gives middle school students the chance to explore medical science through hands-on, interactive experiences. Over the course of five days, you will perform simulated diagnostic tests, learn about the nervous system, blood, and immune response, and explore medical imaging tech, including MRI and CT scans. You will also work with peers to solve a health mystery just like real clinicians and researchers. The activities include analyzing patient data and recommending treatment options.
13. University of Alabama at Birmingham Middle School Summer Science Camps
Location: University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL
Cost: $225 for the first camp | $125 for the second consecutive camp; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week 1: June 8 – 12 | Week 2: June 15 – 19 | Week 3: June 21 – 26 | Week 4: June 28 – July 3
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
The University of Alabama, Birmingham, offers various STEM-focused summer camps, including options focused on genetics and medicine. You can enroll in Camp 4: Physfactor, which allows you to take on the role of a lab technician, physician, public health nurse, and biomedical engineer to work on medical mysteries, offer diagnoses, recommend treatments, and even tackle a viral epidemic. Through hands-on activities, you will learn about patient care, the human body, the spread of diseases, and medical technologies. Based on the camp you choose, you can also explore the effects of exercise on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. You can additionally opt for Camp 5: Molecules and You to explore paths in biomedical sciences.
14. NC A&T College of Science and Technology Aggie Camps: Medical Careers Discovery Camp
Location: North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th graders (rising 8th and 9th graders)
NC A&T runs various camps for middle and high school students, including a five-day camp for students interested in a future in medicine or healthcare. You will explore healthcare careers through hands-on sessions and talks led by medical professionals. You will also participate in training labs to learn about clinical techniques and procedures. Group projects and discussions will help you connect with peers and dive into healthcare topics. The camp also offers CPR training and certification.
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