12 Physics Programs for Middle School Students
Are you curious about physics and love figuring out how things work? Physics programs are a good way for middle school students like you to explore that curiosity! Instead of just reading from a textbook, these programs let you jump into experiments, fun projects, and problem-solving activities that bring science to life. You’ll also get a peek at how physics connects to exciting careers in technology, engineering, and even healthcare. Plus, many of these opportunities are supported by top universities and research organizations, which means you’ll learn from people who are passionate about science and maybe even make connections for the future.
We’ve narrowed down to 12 physics programs for middle school students that stand out for their strong focus on physics and related fields.
1. State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)
Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Centre, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program Dates: Summer Session: July | Academic Year Session: October
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 interested in careers in medicine or STEM
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free, long-term enrichment initiative run by Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. You’ll take part in courses like Physics, Psychology, Calculus, and more, alongside PSAT and SAT prep classes, depending on the session. Beyond academics, you’ll join workshops on college readiness, career development, and participate in field trips and campus tours. If you’re serious about medicine or STEM and want early exposure to both coursework and research, this is one of the strongest free pre-college pathways in New York.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines.
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.
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 creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
3. dynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available.
Program Dates: Week 1 – August 11 – 15 | Week 2 – August 18 – 22
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th-grade students. Preference is given to students from low-income backgrounds or those without access to STEM enrichment opportunities.
dynaMIT is a free, student-run summer program at MIT designed to make science and engineering accessible to middle school students. You’ll spend a week on campus, working through projects developed and taught by MIT undergraduate and graduate mentors. The curriculum emphasizes creativity, teamwork, and discovery, with experiments and activities that connect classroom science to real-world engineering. The selection process focuses on need, so students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Fully online
Cost / Stipend: Varies based on program. Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Program Dates: 8-week program, with multiple rolling cohorts throughout the year; Winter I starting December 8; Winter II starting January 19; Spring starting March 2
Application Deadline: Winter I: Apply by September 21| Winter II: Apply by December 28 | Spring: Apply by February 8
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–8 worldwide
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) connects middle school students with PhD mentors from leading research universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Oxford. Over the course of eight weeks, students explore their interests, dive into academic research, and develop a project they are passionate about, ranging from STEM fields like physics, AI, and medicine to humanities subjects like economics, history, and sociology. The curriculum is fully personalized, beginning with broad exploration before narrowing into a focused research question and project. Students work 1-on-1 with their mentor to develop research skills, analyze academic literature, and produce original work. Past student projects have explored topics as diverse as genetic editing, astrophysics, and finance, with some published in academic journals. With its rigorous structure and elite mentorship, JEP offers an unparalleled early introduction to independent research and academic writing.
5. Los Alamos National Laboratory Summer Physics Camp
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM
Cost/Stipend: Free; campers also receive a paid stipend upon completion.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective.
Program Dates: June 2 – 13.
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students living in New Mexico or New Mexico tribal communities. Must have completed Algebra I (or a higher-level math course). Full two-week participation is required.
The Los Alamos Summer Physics Camp is a free two-week program where you will get experience with physics, engineering, chemistry, computer science, and even cybersecurity. You’ll take part in lab demos, research facility tours, and a team project exploring renewable and nuclear energy. The camp also helps you build practical skills like resume writing and interview prep while introducing you to college and career pathways in STEM. Along the way, you’ll hear from scientists and engineers at Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs, plus industry experts. Campers receive a stipend upon completion and can join the SAGE Journey program for ongoing mentorship. It’s a chance to strengthen your science skills and connect with role models shaping the future of energy and security.
6. Women in Physics Camp
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort; selective application process
Program Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in physics
At this camp, you’ll spend a week diving into physics topics like mechanics, electromagnetism, rockets, optics, astronomy, engineering, and planetary science. Experiments, data collection, and friendly competitions are central to the experience, giving you a chance to practice creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking while solving science problems. The camp is designed as a two-stage experience: a Beginners Camp for first-time attendees and an Advanced Camp the following year, where you’ll tackle higher-level projects such as building circuits and exploring advanced physics concepts. Since the camp is fully volunteer-run and donation-supported, it’s both accessible and community-driven. You’ll also get to connect with female physicists and role models who can help you see pathways in STEM fields.
7. Physics Inside Out
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available.
Program Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: March 21 – April 17
Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th grade students
Physics Inside Out is a one-week summer program where you’ll explore physics concepts through experiments, lab activities, and campus tours. Sessions are led by Purdue faculty, graduate students, and research staff, with lessons ranging from nanoscience and magnetism to astrophysics and astronomy. You’ll also visit research facilities like the Birck Nanotechnology Centre, PRIME Lab particle accelerator, and Purdue’s nuclear reactor (PUR1), giving you a look at real labs and instruments. Beyond physics, you’ll get a taste of college life by eating at Purdue dining courts and touring campus. The program is free, but admission is selective, requiring both a student essay and a teacher’s recommendation.
8. Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)
Location: Hosted at I.S. 240 Andries Hudde Junior High School and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly stated
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th-grade students. NYC residents only
SoSC is a four-week summer program run by NYU Tandon’s K12 STEM Center that challenges you to design solutions for the cities of tomorrow. You’ll learn the basics of electronics, circuits, sensors, and microcontrollers, then use coding and urban science concepts to build working models of “smart” systems. You’ll collaborate on a final project that addresses an urban problem, from renewable energy to sustainable transportation. Along the way, you’ll be mentored by instructors and peers while also gaining confidence in engineering and computer science. The program culminates in a public expo where students present their projects to families, faculty, and industry professionals.
9. Oakland University Physics Camp Outreach
Location: Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Cost / Stipend: $200 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students
Program Dates: June 23 – July 3
Application Deadline: Not explicitly listed
Eligibility: Rising juniors, rising seniors, and graduating seniors. Must have received an A or B in AP Calculus or equivalent IB math class. Knowledge of AP Physics is a plus
Oakland University’s Physics Camp Outreach offers high school students an engaging introduction to modern physics, focusing on groundbreaking quantum research from the early 20th century. Led by Professor Evgeniy Khain, the camp explores Nobel Prize–winning discoveries by Einstein, Rutherford, Bohr, and others, unravelling how atoms absorb and emit light and the mysteries of atomic structure. Sessions include both theoretical lectures and lab demonstrations, helping students connect abstract concepts to tangible experiments. In addition to core lessons, OU faculty present their own research and discuss opportunities for high schoolers to get involved in ongoing scientific projects.
10. Rice University R-STEM Program
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $499 (limited scholarships available)
Acceptance rate / cohort size: There is no information available.
Program Dates: Week A – June 24 – 28 (tentative) | Week B – July 8 – 12 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Until seats are filled
Eligibility: Current 6th and 7th grade students
The Introduction to Research and Innovative Design in Engineering (iRIDE) program is a one-week, project-based academy where you’ll explore engineering through activities. Over the course of the week, you’ll investigate how engineers solve problems and use design thinking to create solutions. The program concludes with a capstone project, where you’ll apply what you learned to tackle a real-world challenge and present your results. The topics chosen are often tied to issues directly impacting students’ communities, helping you see how engineering connects to everyday life. Since space is limited, enrollment is competitive, and scholarships are available for families who need support.
11. Johns Hopkins CTY – Astrophysics
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: Residential: $7,501 | Commuter: $6,701 | Lab fee: $180 | Financial aid available based on need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typical class size: 18–20
Program Dates: Session One: June 22 – July 11 | Session Two: July 13 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 2
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11
In this advanced-level course, you’ll study the physics behind stars, galaxies, and the universe itself. You’ll explore stellar evolution, learning how stars are born, live, and die, and investigate extreme objects like neutron stars and black holes. The course also covers galaxies, their structures and motions, and modern cosmology topics such as the Big Bang, inflation, and the fate of the universe. Using Hubble’s Law, you’ll calculate distances to galaxies and work through simulations to better understand astronomical processes. While the course is rigorous, it’s ungraded, allowing you to focus on exploration and learning rather than grades. By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of both the physics of the cosmos and the tools scientists use to study it.
12. Oxford Summer Courses – Physics
Location: Cambridge, UK
Cost: From £5,995 (approximately $7,600)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum class size of 8
Program Dates: June 28 – July 11; July 5 – 18; July 12 – 25; July 19 – August 1 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: Students aged 13–15
At the Cambridge Physics summer school, you’ll spend two weeks exploring how the universe works while living and studying in historic Cambridge colleges. The curriculum is flexible, shaped by student interests, and covers mechanics, astrophysics, electronics, and particle physics. You’ll practice applying the scientific method, solve real-world problems, and work both independently and collaboratively with peers. The program also includes a teamwork masterclass, reflection sessions, and plenty of opportunities for discussion. Outside class, you’ll enjoy trips to sites like Westminster, the British Museum, and Warwick Castle, along with social events, games, and a graduation ceremony.
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