15 Free Science Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student with a passion for science, free science programs offer a practical way to help you build skills while gaining real exposure to how science works beyond the classroom. These programs connect you with industry professionals, let you tackle actual projects, and help you form valuable connections that can shape your future path. Whether you’re exploring AI models, designing smart city solutions, or running physics experiments, you’ll develop critical thinking, collaboration, and technical abilities that textbooks alone can’t provide.
What are the benefits of a science program?
Participating in a science program lets you work on concrete projects. These can involve building machine-learning models to solve problems, designing sustainable city technologies with sensors and code, or conducting physics experiments spanning nanoscale to astrophysical scales. You might get to collaborate on group research, present your findings to peers and mentors, or engage in labs that mirror professional workflows. Prestigious organizations behind these opportunities provide structured guidance, access to university resources, and direct interaction with experts, making them strong options for motivated students seeking an authentic experience rather than passive lectures.
To aid your search, we’ve compiled 15 free science programs for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online science programs, check out our blog here.
1. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer course: July 6 – 24; Fall semester meetings: August 26 – December 9
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: 6th-7th graders residing and attending school in the U.S; Preference for families with household incomes under $90,000
The program combines a three-week online summer course with weekly after-school sessions in the fall, helping you apply mathematical concepts to real-world situations while preparing for more rigorous high school coursework. You will participate in live virtual classes led by Stanford instructors, covering areas such as math enrichment, academic writing, critical thinking, and growth mindset. Through group activities and ongoing discussions, you will build confidence in tackling challenging material while developing strong study habits. The program also offers structured guidance on exploring selective high school options, with real-time feedback to help you track your progress. Family involvement is integrated through conferences and outreach sessions, creating a supportive environment that reinforces your academic growth.
2. Veritas AI: AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
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; You can apply 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 learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students 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 classify music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to generate a custom list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
3. MIT dynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Rising 6th-7th graders: August 11 – 15; Rising 8th-9th graders: August 18 – 22
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Rising 6th-9th graders
MIT dynaMIT is a week-long summer STEM program designed and led entirely by MIT undergraduate students. During the program, you will engage in project-based learning that brings science, technology, engineering, and math to life through experiments and team engineering challenges. Interactive lessons show you how STEM concepts apply to real-world problems, while hands-on activities build technical and creative problem-solving skills. You’ll also tour MIT laboratories and speak directly with mentors engaged in cutting-edge research, gaining insight into university-level work. The program ends with a student showcase in which you present your completed projects to peers and instructors. This format emphasizes collaboration and communication as you will work in teams to design and test solutions.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; Full financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring; Options range from 8 weeks to 5 months
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Over eight weeks, you will work one-on-one with a PhD-level mentor from a top university to explore a self-chosen academic topic in depth. The program begins with guided background research and an introduction to research methods, then transitions into designing and carrying out your own independent project. As your work develops, you will receive structured support to refine your ideas, analyze findings, and shape a clear final output such as a research paper or case study. Dedicated sessions with a writing coach will help strengthen your academic writing and argumentation. Throughout the experience, you’ll build core skills in research, critical thinking, and scholarly communication within a structured, mentor-guided environment.
5. NYU Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)
Location: Andries Hudde Magnet School of STEAM, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 30
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Current 6th-7th graders; NYC residents only
In this four-week program, you’ll work in teams to tackle urban challenges by mastering electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, sensors, and hardware. Sessions blend environmental science with engineering to create sustainable, efficient city solutions, and you’ll get to design and prototype real projects—such as smart bridges, solar innovations, climate drones, or landfill monitors—then present them in a final showcase. Faculty and NYU students provide direct instruction and feedback throughout. The experience emphasizes teamwork and practical problem-solving that mirrors professional engineering workflows.
6. NYU Sounds of New York City (SONYC)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 8 – August 4
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: NYC residents aged 12-14 at the start of the program
In this four-week program, you will work in teams to tackle real urban challenges by building skills in electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, sensors, and hardware systems. Weekday sessions combine engineering and environmental science to help you understand how technology can make cities more sustainable, efficient, and safe. As you progress, you can apply what you learn to design and prototype practical solutions such as smart infrastructure, renewable energy systems, or environmental monitoring tools. Faculty and NYU student mentors provide continuous instruction and feedback, guiding you through each stage of development. The program culminates in a final showcase where you’ll present your project and demonstrate how it addresses a real-world problem.
7. Cornell NYS 4-H Animal Science Programs
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (some sessions may vary)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by specific program or event
Application Deadline: Varies by specific program
Eligibility: Current middle school students
During this program, you will gain hands-on exposure to veterinary science, animal physiology, nutrition, and basic veterinary medicine through a mix of labs, workshops, and live animal interactions on Cornell’s campus. Working with both livestock, such as cows, goats, and horses, and companion animals like dogs and rabbits, you will get to explore how biological concepts connect to agriculture, health, and animal care. Sessions include demonstrations, guided care activities, and discussions with Cornell educators and industry professionals, giving you insight into real practices in the field. The flexible structure lets you join individual sessions or follow longer, project-based tracks that align with your interests.
8. Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Summer: July; Academic year: October – May (specific dates TBA)
Application Deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: 7th and 8th graders from New York State who are economically disadvantaged or could benefit from STEM enrichment, with at least an 80% average, particularly in math and science.
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program is a free academic program that prepares you for college-level study and future pathways in medicine and related STEM fields. As a participant, you will engage in coursework across subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and build a strong foundation in both science and quantitative skills. The program also includes PSAT and SAT preparation, college-readiness workshops, academic advising, and career exploration. Beyond the classroom, you will also take part in field trips and college tours that connect learning to real-world contexts, with opportunities to apply for selective summer research programs as you progress.
9. Purdue Physics Inside Out
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Current 7th-8th graders
During this five-day program, you will explore physics across scales from nanoscale materials to astrophysics through interactive lessons and daily hands-on experiments guided by Purdue faculty and research staff. You will investigate concepts such as magnetism, light, heat, motion, and resonance, then apply them through activities such as analyzing laser wavelengths, working with ferrofluids, modeling nanoscale surfaces, and exploring infrared light. You’ll also recreate techniques used in real discoveries, such as studying graphene, while learning how these ideas connect to current innovations and everyday applications. You’ll gain exposure to campus life through facility tours and applied activities, including sessions at the France Cordova Recreational Center. Along the way, you will meet professors who will share their academic paths and careers in physics and astronomy.
10. Ohio State University: Data Science Summer Camp
Location: The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: March 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-9 in the fall who attend school in Ohio
During Data Science Summer Camp, you will spend one intensive week exploring data science and analytics through applied, team-based projects that connect data to real-world fields such as healthcare, urban planning, biology, and business. Guided by mentors, you will build a clear foundation in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, and apply these skills to solve practical problems that reflect real professional workflows. Guest sessions with researchers and university students deepen your understanding of how data science is used today, including exposure to emerging areas like Imageomics. As you progress, you may work collaboratively to develop insights and present your findings, strengthening both technical and communication skills. Through hands-on activities, you will reinforce critical thinking and see how data drives scientific discovery, creating a structured and accessible introduction to the field even without prior coding or data experience.
11. University of Michigan: Math Corps
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 60 middle schoolers
Dates: July 6 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: 6th-8th graders attending school in the Ypsilanti area
Math Corps is a multi-week math enrichment program at the University of Michigan that blends foundational and advanced topics with real-world applications, including areas like robotics and modular arithmetic. In small-group sessions led by high school and college mentors, you will engage in collaborative problem-solving through creative activities such as math-based card tricks and hands-on projects. As you progress, you will strengthen both academic skills and leadership, with opportunities for returning students to take on mentorship roles. The program fosters a strong sense of community while developing critical thinking and teamwork in a supportive environment.
12. South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics: SPARK After School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 25 students per session
Dates: After-school sessions by cohort: Spring (February – April) and Fall (September – November)
Application Deadline: Rolling; Registration opens periodically
Eligibility: 6th-8th graders in South Carolina
The SPARK After School Program offers virtual after-school workshops that introduce you to science and math concepts through hands-on activities connected to everyday questions and real-world applications. Each session lasts about 1 hour, allowing you to explore topics of interest without a long-term commitment. Workshops are led by STEM role models, including residential students, who guide you through interactive explorations in biology, physics, engineering, and environmental science while introducing more advanced concepts. Activities are designed to be completed at home in a low-pressure, grade-free setting, and recorded sessions offer flexibility if you cannot attend live.
13. South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics: ENGAGE Program
Location: GSSM, Hartsville, SC
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 20 students per class
Dates: 8 after-school sessions on Mondays from February 2 to March 23
Application Deadline: Registration opens for each term
Eligibility: 6th-8th graders in South Carolina
The ENGAGE Program offers after-school sessions that provide hands-on access to advanced labs and equipment for deeper exploration of STEM concepts. Through a series of multi-session workshops, you will engage in guided projects across physics, chemistry, engineering, and computer science, using critical thinking and deductive reasoning to address real-world challenges. Activities include exploring how computers generate graphics through code and learning programming concepts, such as using Lua to design simple games on platforms like PICO-8. As you progress through mini challenges and project-based tasks, you will develop practical skills while building your own creations. Led by experienced facilitators, the program emphasizes collaboration, experimentation, and creative problem-solving in a structured environment designed for students ready to engage more intensively with STEM.
14. Women’s Alliance in STEM and Humanities (WASH) Summer Research Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 27
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Female-identifying students in grades 6-8
The WASH Summer Research Institute is a fully virtual program that introduces you to research through one of three focused tracks: Number Theory, Computational Neuroscience, or Deep Learning. Through weekly guided workshops and mentorship, you will build analytical, programming, and problem-solving skills aligned with your chosen area while working on structured projects that develop scientific thinking and technical ability. As your work progresses, you will receive support in academic writing and presentation, helping you communicate your ideas clearly. The program also introduces pathways for future research and connects STEM topics to broader perspectives beyond science. With step-by-step guidance from mentors, you will gain experience in independent inquiry within a structured and supportive environment designed for beginners.
15. Carnegie Mellon University: Summer Engineering Experience (SEE)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 13 – 17 (Maker Camp/Making & Engineering session for rising 8th-9th graders)
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Rising 8th-9th graders
The Summer Engineering Experience provides a week-long, hands-on introduction to different engineering disciplines for students interested in math and science. In the Maker Camp session, you will explore core design concepts through a mix of educational presentations and project-based learning while applying math and science to real engineering challenges. Over the week, you will complete two projects using accessible, everyday materials: a structured group project developed collectively, and a smaller group project that encourages creativity and independent problem solving. Guided by faculty and graduate students, you will work through each stage of the design process, building practical skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and engineering design in a structured, hands-on environment.