12 Free Biology Summer Programs for Middle School Students
While in middle school, participating in structured summer programs in biology can help you build a stronger foundation before high school. These programs go beyond textbooks, allowing you to engage with topics like ecosystems, human biology, and genetics through activities, lab work, and field experiences. Whether you are interested in medicine, environmental science, or research, these programs offer an early look at how biology is applied in practical settings.
What are the benefits of a biology summer program?
Biology summer programs can help you develop practical skills such as data collection, observation, and basic lab techniques. You may also work in teams to complete projects or present findings, building communication and collaboration skills. Through these summer programs, you may gain exposure to various areas of biology, such as ecology, molecular biology, and public health, helping you identify specific interests early.
Here’s a list of 15 free biology summer programs for middle school students, covering topics such as conservation, human biology, and sustainability.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)’s Summer Research Opportunity (SRO)
Location: Emergent Technologies Institute, FGCU, Fort Myers, FL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 7 – 18 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students
FGCU’s SRO program, organized by the Whitaker Institute for STEM Education, is a two-week experience where middle school students collaborate on a structured research project from start to finish. You’ll work through the full scientific process, including hypothesis development, experimental design, field and laboratory data collection, and data analysis and interpretation. Previous projects have focused on themes like The Science Beneath: Exploring Soil and Skeletal Clues, giving students the chance to work on a range of biology-related topics. The program is staffed by FGCU faculty and student assistants, providing you with direct mentorship and guidance from individuals involved in scientific research. It takes place at the Emergent Technologies Institute over two weeks in July, with daily sessions structured around collaborative, hands-on work.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (full financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
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
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual learning experience that introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning over approximately 25 hours of instruction. You will learn core concepts such as Python programming, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics through a mix of lectures and small-group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. The program will also include hands-on projects that allow you to apply these concepts to real-world problems, including biology-related applications. For example, past participants have worked on projects such as using convolutional neural networks to classify medical images and building models for malaria detection. You will also collaborate with peers as you develop your own machine learning project, gaining experience in both technical implementation and problem-solving. The structured virtual format allows you to engage with instructors and students globally as you progress through guided, project-based learning.
3. STARS Middle School Camp at UT Southwestern Medical Center
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students per camp
Program dates: June 26 – July 2 (tentative; based on previous years)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current 7th-grade students
The STARS Middle School Camp at UT Southwestern Medical Center is a short summer program where you’ll engage in hands-on lab and classroom activities on a university campus. The program begins with foundational scientific skills, such as microscope use and observation techniques, before progressing to applied topics like cell theory, body systems, seasonal changes, and basic chemistry concepts. Each day will include a mix of structured lessons, group-based experiments, and interactive challenges such as scavenger hunts and science-themed problem-solving activities that reinforce key concepts. Sessions are led by middle school teachers with support from university staff, and you may even attend guest lectures or tours that introduce how science is applied in medical and research settings. You will work in a small group to gain hands-on experience in data collection, classification, and the use of analytical tools such as phylogenetic trees and dichotomous keys. By the end of the program, you will have participated in multiple collaborative activities that connect classroom concepts to practical scientific applications.
4. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program dates: Eight weeks | Timing varies 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 begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you 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 conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
5. dynaMIT
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: August 17 – 21 (Week 1 for rising grade 6 & 7 students) | August 24 – 28 (Week 2 for rising grade 8 & 9 students)
Application deadline: TBA; applications typically open in the Spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9
The dynaMIT program at MIT is a free, week-long STEM experience where middle school students explore science through hands-on mentor-led activities. You may spend the week working in small groups to investigate real-world problems using concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, with guidance from MIT student mentors. Activities vary each year and have previously included experiments such as analyzing fingerprints in mock investigations, modeling the life cycle of stars, or exploring biological concepts through interactive simulations. The program emphasizes experimentation and inquiry, encouraging you to observe patterns, test hypotheses, and interpret data in a structured, academic setting.
6. NYU’s College and Career Lab (CCL)
Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~215 students
Program dates: Exploratory Program: July 6 – 31, with Practice Lab sessions throughout the Fall and Spring semesters | Immersive Program: July 13 – 31
Application deadline: January 15 – March 31
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 7 or 8 | Must reside in and attend a public or charter school in one of NYC’s five boroughs
The CCL program at NYU is a free, multi-year initiative that introduces middle school students to a range of academic subjects and career pathways through summer workshops and year-round sessions. During the Exploratory Stage, you will rotate through areas such as health sciences, neuroscience, public service, and other fields while participating in small-group activities, discussions, and foundational skill-building exercises. The program will continue into high school with the Immersive State, where you may focus more deeply on a chosen field through college-style coursework, collaborative projects, and potential site visits to labs, clinics, or professional environments. Each phase will include structured sessions, including Practice Labs, where you will develop communication, tech, self-advocacy, and academic skills. You may also engage in projects such as research presentations, public health simulations, or hands-on work in media or technology. Throughout the program, you will receive mentorship and guidance from faculty and staff, connecting your learning to both academic and career pathways.
7. Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Summer sessions typically take place Monday – Friday in July (academic year sessions are also available)
Application deadline: TBA; summer applications are typically available in late spring
Eligibility: New York State Residents enrolled in grades 7–12 | Must be from an economically disadvantaged background and/ or in need of, or would greatly benefit from, academic enrichment or support in the STEM areas (check income eligibility criteria here)
Offered by Columbia University, S-PREP is a free academic program that supports middle and high school students interested in biology, medicine, and related STEM fields. The program includes a summer session with weekday classes in July, as well as an academic-year session with Saturday classes from October to May. You will study subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, brain and cognitive science, psychology, and foundational math, with an emphasis on developing skills for advanced science learning. In addition to coursework, the program also incorporates college preparation workshops, academic counseling, and standardized test preparation, connecting science education with long-term academic planning. You may also participate in field trips and college visits that provide exposure to scientific environments and higher education settings. Students in S-PREP can even apply to affiliated summer research programs during their high school year, offering a pathway to more advanced, research-based experience in biomedical fields.
8. Manchester Tech Camp
Location: UNH Manchester, Manchester, NH
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: August 3 – 7 (Week 1) | August 10 – 14 (Week 2)
Application deadline: May 15, or until all spots have been filled (students who are not from a Manchester public school will be placed on a waiting list until April 15)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–12 who are currently attending school in Manchester (priority will be given to students enrolled in public schools within the Manchester school district)
Manchester Tech Camp at UNH Manchester is a free program that introduces middle school students to a range of STEM topics through hands-on activities and daily rotations. Through the TechSplorers track, you may explore subjects such as freshwater ecology, forensic science, and other biology-related topics alongside engineering and technology modules. You will attend structured sessions where you’ll work in small groups to complete experiments, analyze samples, and engage in problem-solving tasks tied to real-world scientific concepts. Activities may involve studying ecosystems, applying basic forensic biology techniques, or exploring how biological principles connect to environmental and chemical processes. The program will be led by educators and supported by university resources, providing access to classroom and lab-based learning environments. By the end of the session, you will have participated in a variety of short, collaborative projects that emphasize observation, experimentation, and interdisciplinary thinking.
9. Montana American Indian in Math and Science (MT AIMS) Program
Location: University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Gatherings: June 8 – 17 | Journeys: June 21 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Native American students currently enrolled in grades 6–10
The MIT AIMS program, offered through the University of Montana in partnership with the North American Native Research and Education Foundation, is a free summer program designed for middle school students to explore STEM through hands-on learning. During the Gatherings session, you may spend up to two weeks on campus participating in activities that include biology, natural resources, chemistry, and related fields, alongside other STEM subjects. The program also offers the Journeys session for returning students, where you may focus more deeply on a single topic through project-based learning, lab visits, and field experiences that vary each year. You will take part in a mix of classroom instruction, hands-on investigations, and community-based activities that emphasize both scientific understanding and collaboration. A distinctive element of the program is that you get to build and use your own computer throughout the program to support your scientific work and learning.
10. Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Program dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–12
The Dinah Whipple STEAM Academy, hosted at UNH, is a summer program where middle school students explore STEM topics, along with African and African American history. You may choose from options such as the Junior Innovators track, which focuses on hands-on challenges related to natural systems like weather, water, and environmental resources, or other tracks that explore environmental resilience or AI. Each session will include structured activities where you’ll design, build, and test solutions to real-world problems. You will work in small groups and may present your final project or community-focused solution at the end of the program. The program also includes interaction with peer mentors and professionals, providing context for how STEM concepts are applied beyond the classroom. Through these activities, you may engage with both scientific and social perspectives connected to environmental and community issues.
11. National Grid Sustainability Camp
Location: University at Buffalo (North Campus), Getzville, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students per camp
Program dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8 and 9
The National Grid Sustainability Camp at UB is a five-day summer program that introduces students to sustainability through a combination of science, engineering, and environmental studies. The camp will focus on themes such as ecology, energy systems, and carbon footprint, allowing you to explore how natural systems impact social and economic factors. You may participate in hands-on lab activities, group projects, and interactive challenges that involve analyzing environmental impact and understanding how to reduce your carbon footprint. The camp will also include guided tours of the university campus and surrounding natural areas, where you may observe ecosystems and sustainability initiatives in practice.
12. National History Museum of Utah (NHMU) Summer Camps
Location: NHMU, Salt Lake City, UT
Cost: Varies by camp (100% scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified (limited number of scholarship seats available in each camp)
Program dates: June 22 – 25 | August 3 – 6
Application deadline: Registration closes two weeks before the start of the sessions or after the camps fill up
Eligibility: Open to middle school students entering grades 6–8
The Summer Camps at NHMU offer a range of in-person programs for middle school students that focus on biology, ecology, and environmental science through themed experiences. Camp options include ecosystems, wildlife conservation, and natural habitats, with sessions such as Explore Great Salt Lake and Guardians of Wild Utah offering different approaches to studying the natural world. Each camp will combine hands-on investigations with field trips or museum-based activities, where you may observe different species, analyze environmental conditions, and explore scientific concepts through exhibits and outdoor excursions. You may work on projects related to food webs, animal adaptations, and ecosystem balance in small groups. Some camps will include off-site excursions to wetlands or island ecosystems, offering opportunities to study biodiversity in real-world settings.