15 Free Biology Programs for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student interested in biology and want to explore it beyond your school syllabus, consider a structured program in the field. Biology programs give you exposure to foundational life science concepts, such as cell structure, genetics, ecosystems, and the mechanisms of living organisms, through lab experiments, research, and hands-on projects. You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills, learn directly from researchers and professors, and interact with students who share your interests. Many of these opportunities are completely free or offer full financial aid, which makes them accessible options to explore!
What are the benefits of a biology program?
Biology programs let you learn by doing; for instance, you may participate in lab experiments on a range of topics, including DNA, cell biology, and genetics, and contribute to research in areas like cancer. Some of these programs also give you the chance to analyze data, simulate biological processes, and learn how clinical trials and medical research work. You will get to collaborate with peers, work on projects, and present your findings. Such early exposure and hands-on work can help you develop critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper understanding of how biology is applied in practical settings. Many reputable universities, research institutes, and STEM organizations offer free biology programs for middle school students, giving you early exposure to advanced academic environments without worrying about finances.
To make your search easier, we have narrowed down 15 free biology programs for middle school students to explore.
If you’re looking for online camps, check out our blog here.
1. Columbia University's State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
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 S-PREP is designed for students interested in medical and STEM careers. The program is split into two components: a summer session and classes on Saturdays during the academic year. During the program, you will take courses on anatomy, biochemistry, brain and cognitive science, and pre-med prep. You will also participate in college prep and PSAT prep sessions, counseling sessions, college tours, and field trips to prepare for future STEM and medical studies. Your participation may make you eligible for other biology and medical programs, such as BRAINYAC and YES in THE HEIGHTS, when you are in high school.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; full financial aid available
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring | 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays) during the summer
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 and concepts like image classification, data analysis, regression, 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 custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
3. MIT’s dynaMIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: One-week program held in two sessions in the summer; Week 1 for rising 6th and 7th graders, and Week 2 for rising 8th and 9th graders
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 9th grade students
dynaMIT is a free, weeklong science and engineering program conducted by MIT undergraduates on the MIT campus. Each day of camp focuses on a different theme, such as biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space science, computer science, and math, covering concepts through activities and challenges tied to the day’s track. Past activities have included learning about diseases, investigating fingerprints in mock crime cases, and Arduino projects. You will work with lab tools/materials and connect with peers during the program. Your instructors will be MIT students who will design and lead all activities throughout the week.
4. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; 100% financial aid available
Dates: Eight weeks; dates vary by cohort
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You will begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and being matched with a Ph.D.-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you will receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you will conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
5. Sanford PROMISE Finding Your Roots: A Genetics and Genealogy Experience
Location: Sanford Research Center, Sioux Falls, SD
Cost: No cost; a $100 deposit is required, which will be refunded after the program.
Dates: July 21 – 24
Application deadline: Not specified; registration on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8; parental or guardian permission required to submit a DNA sample before camp starts.
Finding Your Roots is a free, four-day science camp at the Sanford Research Center, where you will explore your own genetics. Before the camp starts, you will use a DNA collection kit offered by Living DNA and submit a cheek swab to allow Living DNA to analyze your sample and generate an ancestry report for you. During the four-day camp, you will extract and analyze your own DNA, explore how genetic technology works, learn about human evolution, and hear from genetic counselors about their careers. The curriculum is designed to help you connect science to your personal family history in a real research lab setting.
6. UT Southwestern STARS Biology Camp
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: June 3 – 12; check updates here.
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 8th-graders planning to enroll in 9th-grade biology
UT Southwestern STARS Biology Camp is a nine-day biology-focused learning experience for current 8th-grade students. You will participate in laboratory exercises and biology activities that help you prepare for high school biology. The curriculum covers topics like cell transport, protein synthesis, cellular organelles, scientific method, photosynthesis, cell respiration, membranes and biomolecules, basic chemistry, properties of water, and DNA structure and function. You will participate in team-building exercises and other activities focused on DNA/genetics, mobility simulation, and an anatomy lab at camp.
7. City of Hope Saturday Science Days
Location: City of Hope main campus, Duarte, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple events from October to August (no events in July, August, and September); events held on the 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 free monthly workshop series, run by City of Hope's STEM Training and Education Program, that introduces students to new ideas, topics, and potential career paths in science. Each month features a different theme, including topics in biology, physiology, genetics, and food science. 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 the theme. You will also interact with City of Hope staff and volunteers. The program is designed to offer insights into the fundamentals of science and research beyond the school curriculum.
8. Oklahoma STEM Summer Academies
Location: Multiple college/university campuses in Oklahoma
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by site, individual academy lengths range from four days to two weeks
Application deadline: Varies by academy
Eligibility: Rising 8th – 12th graders
The Oklahoma STEM Summer Academies are a collection of 16 free programs, covering a range of STEM fields, including biology. You can choose the biomedical/biology academy to explore concepts in microbiology and molecular biology through hands-on activities like creating a bioluminescent bacterium. Each academy combines classroom instruction with experiments and, in many cases, field trips to organizations and research facilities in Oklahoma. Some academies are residential and offer housing in campus dorms, while others are commuter programs. This experience can expose you to what university-level STEM academics and campus life actually look like.
9. Step Up to STEM
Location: North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), Durham, NC; Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC; UNC Pembroke, Pembroke, NC
Cost: Free
Dates: One week in the summer; dates vary by site and cohort
Application deadline: February 5; applications open December 1
Eligibility: Current eighth-grade students who are residents of North Carolina; eligibility is tied to residence in specific counties depending on the campus location.
Step Up to STEM is a week-long, two-summer residential program designed to help students explore opportunities in STEM fields through coursework not typically available at their home high schools. During your first summer, you will move between activities in math, science, and engineering, and then return the following summer to focus on a project in one of those disciplines. Outside of class time, you will develop social and academic skills through on- and off-campus events; past activities have included planetarium shows, visits to labs, STEM career panels, and tours of university campuses. During the program, instructors and STEM professionals will offer insights into career paths in biology, tech, engineering, and other related fields.
10. NYU College and Career Lab
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 and 8 residing in and attending schools in one of NYC’s five boroughs
NYU’s College and Career Lab is a fully funded commuter program for students interested in engaging in college-level academics. The program offers six-year support, letting you first participate in the 7th grade and return every year till you graduate from high school. As a middle school student, you get to engage in the Exploratory Stage of the program, where you will explore college-level subjects and career pathways. Throughout the program, you will get to learn about various disciplines, from arts to STEM, including biology, neuroscience, and health science. You will also attend college-style lectures and workshops led by NYU faculty. Along with classes, you will participate in field trips around the city and explore life on a college campus.
11. UConn Health’s Doctors Academy
Location: UConn Health, Farmington, CT
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 fellowship provided
Dates: 21-week Saturday Academy: October 18 – May 2; Summer Program: June 22 – July 17
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising eighth-grade students with a B average or better; applicants must be U.S. citizens/permanent residents
UConn Health’s Doctors Academy offers a free four-week learning opportunity focused on science, math, medicine, and college preparedness to middle school students. You will receive instruction in language arts, math, and science, including biology, attend college awareness classes, and engage in programs to raise awareness about health professions. Following the summer, the program runs Saturday sessions during the school year to help you continue working on academic skill-development while preparing for college. At the end, you will receive a fellowship of $4,000 and get a chance to earn an additional stipend.
12. NYS 4-H Animal Science Programs
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: Typically, free
Dates: Vary by programs
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students
NYS 4-H Animal Science Programs offer middle school students interested in life sciences a hands-on learning opportunity. You will explore concepts in biology, veterinary medicine, agriculture and production systems, nutrition, and physiology through activities that involve caring for, feeding, training, and observing different animal species. Some of the livestock species that you will work with include swine, dairy, sheep, horses, goats, poultry, and beef. You will interact with participants from diverse backgrounds, instructors, and educators, and develop skills to improve college applications and pursue jobs. You will also participate in state-level and county shows while also exploring educational competitions.
13. University of Arizona’s Toxic Detectives
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: Free/reduced cost for eligible families; $275 otherwise
Dates: June 1 – 5
Application deadline: TBA; registration opens in the spring
Eligibility: Students entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in the fall
This program introduces middle school students to the interdisciplinary fields of toxicology and environmental health, focusing on the overlap of biology, chemistry, and pharmacology. During the week, you will engage in hands-on science experiments, tour labs, and hear from STEM professionals. You will also get to explore the University of Arizona campus and participate in off-campus field trips. At the end of the week, you will deliver an oral presentation focused on a toxin of your choice.
14. Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Scientific Enrichment Month
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1 – 29
Application deadline: June 19 or when the program is full
Eligibility: Middle school, high school, and undergraduate students
Scientific Enrichment Month is a free, virtual program that runs lectures focused on health, cancer research, cancer health inequities, and professional development. You will attend online lectures to hear from professionals about topics in oncology, cancer prevention, and research, including how to develop a hypothesis. Sessions will also cover professional development sessions focused on resume writing, college applications, personal statement writing, and interviewing skills. You can additionally join public health working groups focused on peer-to-peer education to earn community service hours.
15. Sanford PROMISE Inside Out: An Engineering and Anatomy Experience
Location: Sanford PROMISE Community Lab, Sioux Falls, SD
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple one-day sessions in the summer
Application deadline: Not specified; registration is first-come, first-served
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8
Inside Out is a free, one-day program held at the Sanford PROMISE lab, where you will study a real health challenge the way engineers and doctors actually do. You will be given a case study with a health problem and asked to design a solution for it. The program offers insights into the cardiovascular system, offering you a closer look at how the heart works and why solving health problems is often more challenging than it seems. This can be an opportunity to explore real lab environments and the interdisciplinary nature of healthcare.