15 Free Programs for Middle School Students in Texas
If you are a middle school student looking to explore your interests beyond regular coursework, structured programs offer a clear starting point. These programs place you in guided environments where you can work on subjects like STEM, coding, math, or creative projects with support from instructors, mentors, or college students. In addition to theoretical learning, many of these programs offer opportunities such as building engineering projects, problem-solving, and learning to use tools like 3D printers and recording equipment. Many programs open to middle schoolers are fully funded, making them accessible opportunities to explore if you are looking for structured enrichment outside of school.
Why should you attend a program in Texas?
Texas offers a wide range of free programs for middle school students through public universities, school districts, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. In these programs, you will learn through STEM challenges, coding workshops, math competitions, research-based activities, and creative sessions such as crafting and audio production. Some programs are short, single-day workshops, while others run over several weeks or even throughout the school year, giving you options with different levels of commitment depending on your schedule. These opportunities are especially relevant if you live or study in Texas; however, many may also be open to students from other regions.
To help you shortlist the right opportunities, here are 15 free programs for middle school students in Texas.
If you’re looking for online science programs, check out our blog here.
1. Young Scientists (YS) Program at Kealing Middle School
Location: Kealing Middle School, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Year-round running over multiple years
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students; preference given to students from low-income and first-generation college-bound families.
The YS Program at Kealing Middle School is a long-running STEM enrichment initiative created through a partnership between the Austin Independent School District and the UTeach Program. Through this program, you will take part in a mix of daily academic monitoring, targeted tutoring, and hands-on STEM activities that help connect what you’ve learned in class to real-world problems. Programming runs throughout the year, including during school, after school, on weekends, and in the summer, so you can consistently build skills in subjects like math and science while strengthening study habits. You will also receive structured support, including family workshops, academic progress updates, and access to basic resources to help you stay focused on school. A key feature of the program is its multi-year structure, which will support you from middle school through the transition to more advanced high school coursework.
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) in the spring cohort | 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) in 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 program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will explore the basics of Python and topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You will 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 categorize music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to generate a custom list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
3. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 12 students/year
Program dates: July 6 – 24 (Summer Program) + August 26 – December 9 (Fall Semester Meetings)
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: U.S. students currently enrolled in grades 6 or 7; students must be from low-income backgrounds (admitted students’ families typically have household incomes under $90,000).
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a tuition-free academic program designed for students in grades 6 and 7 from low-income backgrounds. Over three weeks in the summer, you will join a small, live online class to explore subjects such as geometry, history, civic philosophy, or mathematics through graphic novels, discussions, collaborative activities, and written assignments. Courses will focus on applying concepts to real-world contexts; for example, you will analyze historical events through primary texts or solve practical problems using cryptography and financial math. After the summer session, you will continue meeting weekly in the fall with your cohort to work on academic writing, math enrichment, and sessions on high school planning. You will interact closely with instructors and peers in real time, receive feedback, and participate in structured discussions.
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 – 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 then you will be 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. STARS Middle School Camp @ UT Southwestern Medical Center
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/camp
Program dates: July 10 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current 7th-grade students; check positive factors for selection here.
The STARS Middle School Camp at UT Southwestern Medical Center is a short, campus-based STEM program where you will take part in hands-on lab and classroom activities led by educators and supported by university staff. As a participant, you will build foundational scientific skills, such as microscopy and observation, before moving on to applied topics like chemical reactions, conservation of mass, and the science behind everyday processes, such as making ice cream. The program blends structured lab work with interactive challenges, including scavenger hunts and a science-themed escape room that’ll reinforce concepts like cell theory and human body systems. You will also attend guest lectures and campus sessions that will introduce you to how scientific principles are used in medical and research environments. Working in small groups, you will practice skills such as data collection, classification, and the use of tools like phylogenetic trees and dichotomous keys.
6. Plano Independent School District (ISD)’s Computer Science Summer Bridge Program
Location: Clark High School, Plano, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; limited spots
Program dates: June 1 – 4 (Session 1) | June 8 – 11 (Session 2)
Application deadline: April 17 or when full
Eligibility: Current 8th-grade students enrolled in schools in the Plano ISD
The Computer Science Summer Bridge Program offered by Plano ISD is a free introductory program that helps you build programming skills before starting high school. Over four days, you will learn how to develop solutions using the Python programming language, with the option to choose from separate tracks for beginners and students who already have some experience with coding. Each session will focus on writing and understanding code while gradually introducing more complex concepts, allowing you to work at a pace that matches your experience. In addition to coding instruction, the program will include opportunities to learn about careers in computer science through interactions with professionals in the field. Sessions are held in the morning at a local high school campus, with transportation provided from neighborhood schools.
7. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual or in-person in Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 12 | July 6 – 17 | July 20 – 31 | August 3 – 14
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy runs free coding camps for young women and gender expansive teens. Over two weeks, you will learn how to code through tracks like data science, web development, or artificial intelligence and machine learning. Depending on your placement, you will learn how to work with SQL and Python, use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or study natural language processing and algorithms. Beyond track-specific learning, you will attend a speaker series led by women working in tech who will share insights into what careers in the field look like. You will also get access to the broader Kode With Klossy alumni community upon completing the program.
8. UT Southwestern’s STARS Program Biology Camp
Location: UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/camp
Dates: June 3 – 12
Application deadline: Spring; check program site for updates
Eligibility: Current 8th-grade students preparing to take freshman-level biology; check positive factors for selection here.
This free camp is designed to offer students exposure to advanced science coursework before they begin high school biology. Over about two weeks, you will engage in lab-based exercises covering topics such as photosynthesis, biomolecules, membranes, respiration, and DNA. The camp also offers hands-on activities focused on energy transfer, enzyme reactions, and protein synthesis to help you connect molecular biology with real-world processes. Afternoon sessions extend learning beyond the lab through opportunities such as genetics-focused activities, anatomy labs, and team-building challenges.
9. Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S., including Houston Community College and Texas Southern University in Texas
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by location; typically a three- or four-week summer session
Application deadline: Varies by site
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th grade students
Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers is a free summer program designed to help middle school students from under-resourced communities explore STEM subjects, build problem-solving skills, and learn about career opportunities in technology. You will gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies such as augmented reality, 3D printing, drones, and robotics, and collaborate with peers on real-world projects. You will also work on design thinking and social entrepreneurship, learning how to use technology to address real challenges. Beyond the summer session, the program continues into the school year with mentorship opportunities and two full-day STEM workshops, one in the fall and one in the spring, hosted by a local college, which may also include tours of campus facilities, classrooms, and labs. The program may be available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid, depending on the host school.
10. UTeach After-School STEM Clubs
Location: Middle or elementary school across Texas, with a final competition at the University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 7 – 8 weeks during the academic semester, with a final competition at the end; dates not specified
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The UTeach After-School STEM Clubs are school-based programs where you will participate in weekly hands-on STEM activities led by University of Texas students with support from a teacher at your school. Over 7–8 weeks each semester, you will work through lessons aligned with Texas state standards while exploring topics in STEM through interactive projects and team-based exercises. These sessions are designed to help you build skills such as problem-solving, scientific inquiry, and critical thinking while reinforcing concepts you learn in class. A key component of the program is the end-of-semester Mini STEM Competition held at the University of Texas at Austin, where you will compete against peers in Austin in events similar to the Science Olympiad.
11. Houston Public Library’s Get Creative at Tween Craft! Event
Location: Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: Sessions held every Wednesday
Application deadline: Rolling; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students, ages 10 – 12
“Get Creative at Tween Craft!” is a free event hosted by the Houston Public Library, where you will take part in hands-on craft activities in a group setting. During the session, you will work on guided projects to create your own items while learning basic crafting techniques. The program is structured to encourage experimentation with materials and ideas, helping you develop practical creative skills. You will also get to interact with other students, making it a collaborative opportunity to share and learn about diverse creative ideas and approaches.
12. Houston Public Library’s 3D Printing Basics Workshop
Location: TECHLink Walker, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: April 13
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to everyone, ages 10+
The 3D Printing Basics Workshop, hosted by the Houston Public Library, is a short, in-person session where you will learn to operate 3D printers and turn digital designs into physical objects. During the one-hour workshop, you will be introduced to key steps such as file preparation, printer setup, and basic safety practices required for using the equipment. You will work directly with the tools at TECHLink, gaining practical experience in 3D printing. This exposure can help you go on to independently create simple custom prints after completing the workshop.
13. San Angelo ISD (SAISD) Middle School STEM Camp
Location: Austin Professional Learning Center, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment on a first-come, first-served basis
Program dates: July 10
Application deadline: May 16; registration opens on May 12.
Eligibility: SAISD students currently enrolled in grades 5 – 8
At the Middle School STEM Camp hosted by SAISD, you will spend a day working through hands-on challenges across multiple STEM areas. Throughout the day, you will rotate through activities in math, science, engineering, robotics, coding, and creative problem-solving, applying concepts through interactive, hands-on activities. The camp is structured to expose you to different types of problem-solving experiences, allowing you to try a range of STEM topics in a single session. The experience can help you prepare for advanced STEM studies in high school and beyond.
14. Houston Public Library’s Music Studio Introduction Workshop
Location: TECHLink Scenic Woods, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: April 14
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to everyone, ages 10+
At the Music Studio Introduction Workshop hosted by the Houston Public Library, you will spend an hour learning how audio production works in a professional studio setting. During the workshop, you will explore how to set up recording equipment, capture sound, and use basic editing tools to produce audio. You will work directly with studio equipment, gaining hands-on experience in turning recordings into finished tracks or simple audio projects. The sessions will focus on helping you understand the full process, from initial setup to basic editing. A key feature of the workshop is its emphasis on the practical use of studio tools, allowing you to gain the skills to independently use the library’s recording space.
15. STEM Girl Day at UT Austin
Location: University of Texas, Austin
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Program dates: February 27
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Elementary and middle school students; each participant under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
STEM Girl Day at UT Austin is a one-day, campus-based event where you will explore science, technology, engineering, and math through a wide range of hands-on activities and demonstrations. Throughout the day, you will visit several activity stations led by students, faculty, and industry professionals and interact with scientists, engineers, and researchers. Activities may include design challenges, interactive exhibits, and campus exploration experiences that connect STEM concepts to real-world applications. The event is supported by thousands of STEM volunteers, offering you access to a wide variety of hands-on learning experiences in a single day.