13 Free Programs for Middle School Students in Massachusetts
Structured programs can be a strong starting point if you’re a middle school student looking to explore your interests beyond the classroom in a more intentional way. These experiences often introduce you to subjects through projects, guided mentorship, and collaborative learning, helping you build both academic and practical skills early on. Whether it’s STEM, arts, leadership, or interdisciplinary learning, programs like these expose you to new ways of thinking and working that aren’t always part of a regular school curriculum. An added advantage is when these opportunities are free or fully funded, making them far more accessible without compromising on quality.
Why should you attend a program in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts is home to various universities and institutions, many of which offer structured programs specifically designed for younger students. Through these, you can explore a wide range of activities like lab-based science experiments and coding projects, writing workshops, environmental studies, and interdisciplinary research. The state’s strong academic ecosystem means you’re often learning from experienced educators, researchers, or trained mentors who bring depth to the experience. These programs are especially valuable if you live in Massachusetts and want to access local opportunities, but they’re equally relevant if you’re open to exploring virtual options or traveling for high-quality learning experiences.
To help with your search, below are 13 free programs for middle school students in Massachusetts.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. MIT dynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer (exact dates TBA; typically split into two separate weeks)
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 6th-9th grade students (priority for students from low-income backgrounds in Massachusetts)
dynaMIT is a fully funded summer program that allows you to explore science and engineering through hands-on, experiment-driven learning on MIT’s campus. Designed for rising 6th-9th-grade students, the program focuses on making STEM accessible and engaging, especially for those without prior exposure to enrichment opportunities. You’ll work closely with MIT undergraduate and graduate student mentors, who guide you through interactive activities, experiments, and problem-solving sessions. The learning experience is collaborative and exploratory, allowing you to test ideas, ask questions, and build confidence in STEM subjects. Since the program is entirely student-run, it brings a fresh, peer-driven approach to teaching that feels both structured and approachable.
2. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies (financial aid may be available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Deadline: Rolling admissions. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Middle school students (typically grades 6-8; open globally)
The Veritas AI Trailblazers Program introduces you to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through a structured, beginner-friendly online experience designed for middle school students. You start by learning core concepts like Python programming and basic machine learning, gradually building the skills needed to understand how AI systems work. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, so you’re not just watching lessons - you’re actively applying concepts through guided exercises and small projects. As you progress, you also gain exposure to practical applications of AI, helping you connect what you’re learning to fields like healthcare, business, and technology. With mentorship and a collaborative learning environment, the program supports you in asking questions, experimenting, and building confidence in a new subject area. It’s a strong starting point if you’re curious about AI and want a structured introduction without needing prior experience.
3. MIT Lincoln Laboratory - Science on Saturday
Location: MIT Lincoln Laboratory, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple sessions held during the school year (exact dates vary)
Deadline: Preregistration required (varies by session)
Eligibility: Ages 5-17 (middle school students eligible; must attend with a parent/guardian)
Science on Saturday is a free STEM outreach program that gives you the chance to explore scientific concepts through live demonstrations and interactive sessions led by researchers and engineers. Hosted at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the program covers a wide range of topics, including robotics, acoustics, optics, electricity, and materials science, making it a broad introduction to STEM disciplines. You engage with hands-on demonstrations that break complex ideas down into more accessible, real-world applications, helping you build curiosity and a foundational understanding. The sessions are designed to be engaging and exploratory rather than purely academic, making them a good fit if you enjoy learning by seeing and doing. With exposure to working scientists and engineers, the experience also gives you an early look at how STEM is applied in research and industry settings.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies (financial aid available)
Dates: Ongoing cohorts throughout the year (8-week duration)
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Grades 6-8 (open globally)
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an online, mentor-led experience that helps you take your first steps into independent academic exploration. Designed for middle school students, the program pairs you with a mentor who guides you through a topic of your choice, whether it’s in STEM, business, humanities, or interdisciplinary areas. Instead of following a fixed curriculum, you work toward a personalized outcome - this could be a research-style paper, a case study, or another structured project that reflects your interests. The sessions are one-on-one, which allows you to move at your own pace while receiving consistent feedback and direction. Over the course of the program, you learn how to ask better questions, structure your thinking, and engage more deeply with a subject. It’s a strong option if you’re curious about exploring ideas independently but want guidance to turn that curiosity into something concrete.
5. Commonwealth School - Dive In Commonwealth
Location: Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Multi-year program (summer sessions + school-year Saturdays; exact dates TBA)
Deadline: March 15 (next cycle expected Fall)
Eligibility: Students entering after 6th or 7th grade from low-income families in the Boston area
Dive In Commonwealth is a long-term, fully funded academic enrichment program designed to support motivated middle school students from low-income backgrounds as they prepare for rigorous high school pathways. You begin the program after sixth or seventh grade and continue through a combination of summer sessions and school-year classes, building a strong foundation in English and math while also developing critical thinking and creative expression. The structure is designed to be consistent and immersive, with students typically staying engaged for multiple summers and academic years. Along the way, you become part of a close-knit learning community and receive guidance that helps you navigate future academic opportunities. The program also offers exposure to the expectations of highly competitive schools, making it a strong fit if you’re aiming for advanced academic environments and want sustained support over time.
6. Trinity Boston Connects - Trinity Education for Excellence Program (TEEP)
Location: Trinity Boston Connects, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer intensive (5 weeks) + year-round programming (multi-year commitment)
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students (starting in 7th grade), primarily students of color from under-resourced communities in Boston
The Trinity Education for Excellence Program (TEEP) is a long-term, tuition-free enrichment program that supports your academic and personal growth through middle and high school. You begin with summer intensives that combine project-based academic learning with hands-on activities like creative arts, sports, and outdoor experiences, helping you build both confidence and curiosity. The program places equal emphasis on leadership, identity, and community, creating a supportive environment where you can develop social-emotional skills alongside academics. Throughout the year, you stay engaged through community events and continued support, making it a sustained experience rather than a one-time program. As you move into high school, you can return as a mentor and take on leadership roles, gaining exposure to teaching, teamwork, and professional development.
7. Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University - Arboretum Young Scientists (AYS)
Location: Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Typically a 4-week summer program (on hiatus for Summer)
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Boston Public School students entering 7th or 8th grade
The Arboretum Young Scientists (AYS) program is a free, immersive summer experience that introduces you to environmental science through hands-on exploration in an outdoor setting. Set within the living landscape of the Arnold Arboretum, the program allows you to study plants, wildlife, soils, and ecosystems while actively participating in field-based investigations. You engage in scientific inquiry through experiments, observation, and collaborative projects, building both knowledge and curiosity about the natural world. Along the way, you also interact with scientists and staff, gaining insight into careers in environmental and biological sciences. The program concludes with a final project where you present your findings, helping you develop both research and communication skills. It’s a strong option if you enjoy learning outdoors and want early exposure to ecology and environmental research.
8. Piers Park Sailing Center - Youth Sailing & Marine Science Programs
Location: Piers Park Sailing Center, Boston, MA
Cost: Free or low-cost (subsidized for local students)
Dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the year (summer and after-school programs)
Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Ages 6-13 for youth programs (middle school students eligible; priority for local Boston youth)
The Youth Programs at Piers Park Sailing Center offer you a hands-on introduction to sailing and marine science, combining outdoor learning with practical skill-building on the water. Through options like Harbor Explorers and Science of Sailing, you engage with concepts like marine ecology, navigation, and water safety while actively participating in activities such as kayaking, fishing, and observing marine life. The programs are designed to be beginner-friendly, so you can build confidence gradually while learning in a supportive and community-oriented environment. Alongside technical skills, there’s a strong focus on curiosity, teamwork, and connection to nature, making the experience both educational and engaging. These programs are particularly valuable if you’re interested in environmental science or simply want to explore something new outside a traditional classroom setting.
9. CitySprouts - Summer Green Team
Location: CitySprouts, Cambridge & Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 - 24; July 27 - August 7 (Cambridge) | July 7 - August 7(Boston)
Deadline: Not specified (applications open; varies by site)
Eligibility: Rising 5th-8th graders (Boston program primarily for Boston Public School students)
The Summer Green Team is a free, hands-on environmental program that allows you to explore gardening, sustainability, and community leadership through outdoor learning. Hosted at CitySprouts garden sites, the program combines practical activities like growing food and cooking with STEAM-based projects and field trips to local green spaces. You spend your time working in urban gardens, learning about ecosystems, and engaging with community leaders, which helps connect environmental concepts to real issues. Alongside technical skills, there’s a strong focus on leadership and teamwork, encouraging you to think about your role in building more sustainable communities. The experience is immersive and interactive, making it a strong option if you enjoy learning outside a traditional classroom setting and want to engage with environmental science in a meaningful way.
10. Science Academy - Bridgewater State University
Location: Bridgewater State University, MA
Cost: $300 (need-based scholarships available)
Dates: July 6 - 10; July 13 - 17
Deadline: Rolling; registration closes one month before each session
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-9 (current grades 5-8)
The Science Academy at Bridgewater State University offers week-long, in-person STEM courses designed for middle school students who want to explore science and technology through hands-on, applied learning. Each course, ranging from cybersecurity challenges like CyberTank and CyberFlight to forensic science simulations, centers on problem-solving, teamwork, and interactive lab work. You might design secure systems, simulate cyberattacks, or analyze DNA evidence, all while learning directly from instructors and university faculty. The program is beginner-friendly, making it suitable if you’re exploring STEM for the first time, and if you’re looking to deepen your interest. While the program has a standard fee, it places strong emphasis on accessibility through need-based scholarships, which are available on a competitive, rolling basis for students with financial need. The overall environment balances academic rigor with creativity and collaboration, helping students build both technical skills and confidence.
11. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6 - 24 (summer) / August 26 - December 9 (fall sessions)
Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6 or 7 from low-income backgrounds residing in the United States
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a fully funded virtual program designed to help you prepare for the academic rigor of high school through structured coursework and ongoing mentorship. You begin with a three-week online summer course where you explore advanced subjects and build foundational academic skills, followed by weekly virtual sessions during the fall that continue your learning and provide consistent guidance. The program focuses on strengthening critical thinking, study habits, and intellectual confidence, while also exposing you to a supportive peer community. Because it is entirely online, you can participate from anywhere while still benefiting from a structured and interactive learning environment. This is a strong option if you’re looking for sustained academic support and a deeper learning experience beyond school.
12. Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM) - Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Location: Virtual
Dates: July 1 - 29
Cost: Free
Deadline: Check the website for this year’s details
Eligibility: Open to high school students; middle school students may participate if interested
The Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM) Program, hosted by Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a free, fully virtual summer experience that introduces you to the fundamentals of cancer research, public health, and scientific thinking. Over a month of structured sessions, you attend interactive lectures on topics such as research methods, cancer prevention, and health inequities, while also building practical skills through workshops on resume writing, public speaking, and interview preparation. A key part of the program involves joining public health working groups, where you collaborate on community-focused topics - ranging from vaccination awareness to nutrition and present your work at the end of the program. The format is designed to balance academic exposure with practical application, making it accessible even if you’re just beginning to explore science or healthcare. Students who attend a required number of sessions receive a certificate, adding a tangible outcome to the experience.
13. Kode With Klossy
Location: Online
Dates: Summer sessions (varies by camp)
Cost: Free
Deadline: Typically in spring (varies by cohort)
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 who identify as girls or non-binary
Kode With Klossy is a free summer coding program designed to introduce young students to the fundamentals of technology through hands-on, project-based learning. Over the course of the program, you learn coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while building real-world projects like websites or apps that reflect your interests. The curriculum also integrates discussions of tech careers, problem-solving, and creativity, helping you understand how coding connects to fields such as design, business, and social impact. Sessions are collaborative and beginner-friendly, making it accessible even if you have no prior experience, while still encouraging independent thinking and confidence. Beyond technical skills, the program emphasizes community building and mentorship, allowing you to connect with peers and instructors who share your interest in technology.