13 Physics Summer Programs for Middle School Students
As a middle school student, structured academic programs during your break allow you to explore your academic interests beyond the classroom. These programs help you build practical skills, gain early exposure to advanced topics, and connect with like-minded peers and professionals. Many are hosted by prestigious universities, research centres, and educational nonprofits that create environments where you can think critically, work collaboratively, and grow both academically and personally.
Physics summer programs provide a unique opportunity to explore the practical applications of the field. Through topics like mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and optics, you will develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills that form the foundation of all STEM disciplines. These experiences often combine classroom instruction with lab experiments, demonstrations, or even coding-based simulations, encouraging curiosity-driven learning. Many programs also introduce you to future pathways in physics, engineering, and technology, preparing you for advanced coursework in high school and beyond.
To help you identify the right opportunity, we’ve compiled 13 physics summer programs for middle school students.
If you are looking for STEM programs, check out our blog here.
1. Physics Inside Out
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana (Purdue University Campus)
Cost/Stipend: Free; all materials and lunches provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Space-limited; selective based on application and teacher recommendation
Dates: June 9–13
Application Deadline: March 21 - April 17
Eligibility: Open to current 7th and 8th-grade students
Physics Inside Out is a free, hands-on summer program at Purdue University that introduces middle school students to the core principles and modern applications of physics. Through interactive lessons led by Purdue faculty and research staff, you’ll study topics spanning from nanotechnology to astrophysics—including magnetism, lasers, thermodynamics, and the electromagnetic spectrum. The program blends lab experiments with campus exploration, giving you a glimpse into real college facilities such as the Birck Nanotechnology Center and the PRIME Lab particle accelerator. You’ll also meet professors and graduate researchers who share how they discovered their own paths in science.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weekends | Summer cohort: 25 hours over two weeks (weekdays only)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines based on cohort; You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–8
The Veritas AI Trailblazers Program introduces middle school students to the exciting world of artificial intelligence and machine learning through small-group instruction and hands-on projects. Across 25 hours of live sessions, you’ll explore Python programming, data analysis, regression modeling, and neural networks while learning to think critically about the ethical use of AI. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you’ll receive personalised guidance as you build AI-powered tools—such as recommendation systems or music classifiers. Mentorship from AI experts helps you connect computational concepts to real-world challenges, giving you early exposure to advanced computer science applications.
3. MST@MSU: Mathematics, Science, and Technology
Location: East Lansing, Michigan (Residential or Commuter)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; financial aid options may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; decisions made on a rolling basis
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Open to academically talented rising 7th and 8th graders
MST@MSU is a one-week residential or commuter program designed to challenge middle school students through advanced coursework in mathematics, science, and technology. You’ll take three two-hour classes daily, engaging in lab activities, data analysis, and problem-solving exercises that apply physics and engineering concepts to real-world challenges. The program emphasises active learning and interdisciplinary exploration, encouraging you to investigate how math and science interact with technology to solve complex problems. With small class sizes and hands-on instruction, MST@MSU offers a supportive academic environment for motivated students who want to expand their STEM foundation.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP)
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts (summer, fall, spring, and winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to middle school students interested in STEM
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program gives middle school students an early introduction to independent STEM research through mentorship from Ph.D. scholars at top universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Under one-on-one guidance, you’ll design a personalised research project in an area like biology, physics, or computer science. Throughout the program, you’ll develop core research skills—including critical thinking, data analysis, and academic writing—while exploring how to turn scientific curiosity into structured inquiry. The program culminates in a research report or presentation, helping you build a foundation for future competitions and advanced study.
5. dynaMIT – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (MIT Campus)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts per session
Dates: Week 1: August 11–15 (rising 6th–7th graders); Week 2: August 18–22 (rising 8th–9th graders)
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders; priority given to students from low-income backgrounds
dynaMIT is a free, hands-on STEM program run by MIT undergraduates and graduate students, designed to spark curiosity and innovation in middle schoolers. Throughout the week, you’ll participate in collaborative projects and workshops covering physics, engineering, and computer science concepts—from understanding motion and energy to designing simple machines. Activities focus on creativity, teamwork, and experimentation, allowing you to test hypotheses and build working prototypes. The program fosters a strong sense of community and mentorship, while offering an immersive introduction to the intersection of science and engineering.
6. Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)
Location: Multiple host schools in Brooklyn, NY (e.g., Andries Hudde Junior High, STAR Early College School)
Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship; offered at no cost thanks to National Grid support
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: To be announced (four-week program, Monday–Thursday, 8 AM–5 PM)
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Open to rising 7th–8th graders who are NYC residents only
The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program introduces you to the science and technology that make modern cities efficient and sustainable. Over four weeks, you’ll explore topics in engineering, computer science, and environmental science while learning to design electronic circuits, program microcontrollers, and integrate sensors into functioning prototypes. Working in small teams, you’ll apply these skills to create practical solutions to real-world urban challenges—such as improving energy efficiency or transportation systems. The program culminates in final presentations where you will showcase your smart city innovations. Designed for hands-on learners, SoSC helps you develop both technical and teamwork skills while exploring how physics and engineering concepts shape our everyday environments.
7. Manchester Tech Camp
Location: UNH Manchester, 88 Commercial Street, Manchester, New Hampshire
Cost/Stipend: Free; all materials provided through federal grant funding
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Priority given to Manchester School District students; limited space per session
Dates: July 28–August 8 (two one-week sessions)
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in spring; space available on a first-come basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–12; priority for Manchester public school students
Manchester Tech Camp, hosted by the University of New Hampshire’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, offers free, weeklong STEAM workshops designed to inspire curiosity and problem-solving in young learners. For middle schoolers (grades 5–8), the TechSplorers program introduces hands-on projects in physics, engineering, sound, and circuitry—encouraging students to experiment with real-world concepts in science and technology. Led by university instructors, you’ll participate in interactive activities like building circuits, exploring forensic science, and studying the physics of waves and sound. The program also promotes inclusivity and creativity, providing access to advanced technology and research labs on campus. Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Manchester Tech Camp stands out among physics summer programs for middle school students for its accessibility and emphasis on hands-on STEM learning.
8. Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge
Location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Cost/Stipend: Free; fully funded residential program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited to two middle school cohorts each July
Dates: Typically held in July (one-week residential session)
Application Deadline: Opens in winter
Eligibility: Middle school students from Appalachian region counties
The Appalachian STEM Academy at Oak Ridge is a fully funded, weeklong residential program that brings together middle school students from across the Appalachian region for immersive, hands-on exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Working in small teams guided by master teachers and scientists, you’ll investigate real-world challenges affecting Appalachian communities and develop creative, data-driven solutions. The program’s curriculum emphasises experimentation, field research, and teamwork while integrating topics from physics, environmental science, and engineering. Daily sessions include lab investigations, tours of research facilities, and project presentations to a panel of scientists and ARC leaders. Designed to foster collaboration and critical thinking, this program stands out among physics summer programs for middle school students for its combination of research experience and community impact.
9. iINVENT
Location: Multiple cities across Oregon (including Corvallis, Grants Pass, Independence, St. Helens, Woodburn, Klamath Falls, and Lebanon)
Cost/Stipend: Free; fully funded by Oregon State University and partners
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; space limited per location
Dates: June 23–August 22 (weekly sessions vary by city)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended due to limited space
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 6–8
iINVENT is a free summer invention camp hosted by Oregon State University that encourages middle school students to apply physics and engineering concepts to real-world innovation. Guided by OSU college mentors, you’ll design and prototype inventions that improve the quality of life for others—learning about mechanics, design thinking, and problem-solving along the way. Each week features interactive engineering challenges, invention labs, and lessons inspired by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s innovation process. The program emphasises experimentation, teamwork, and creativity in a supportive environment where you “fail fast and learn fast.” Accessible to students across rural Oregon, iINVENT stands out among physics summer programs for middle school students for its focus on invention, inclusivity, and hands-on learning.
10. STEM Academy – Oregon State University
Location: Corvallis, Oregon (Oregon State University Campus)
Cost/Stipend: $60–$320 depending on camp; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; limited space per camp
Dates: Various sessions from June–August
Application Deadline: Registrations open
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders
The STEM Academy at Oregon State University offers a range of interactive summer programs designed to encourage middle school students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in engaging, hands-on ways. You can choose from several focused workshops, including Physics Camp, Engineering Camps, Making with Microcontrollers, and Flying Robots Camp, each emphasising problem-solving and creativity. The Physics and Engineering sessions are one-day intensives, while others—like Wild About Wildlife and Making Arcade Games—run across a full week. Many camps include field trips and team-based projects that expose you to real-world STEM applications. As one of the most accessible physics summer programs for middle school students in the Pacific Northwest, STEM Academy combines flexibility, affordability, and authentic exploration across STEM disciplines.
11. Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: UC San Diego, La Jolla, California
Cost/Stipend: Paid; cost varies by course selection
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; limited spots per session
Dates: July 6–24
Application Deadline: Enrollment opens in January; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Open to rising 6th–8th graders (middle school division)
Hosted by UC San Diego, the Sally Ride Science Academy offers an inspiring, hands-on introduction to STEAM subjects—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. In the middle school division, you’ll explore fields like physics, robotics, marine biology, geology, and VR design, participating in creative workshops led by university instructors and professionals. The program emphasises discovery through experimentation and encourages students to imagine themselves as real scientists, engineers, and innovators. Courses also highlight stories of women in science, continuing Sally Ride’s legacy of inclusion and curiosity. For middle schoolers seeking dynamic physics summer programs that blend creativity and exploration, this academy offers both academic rigour and inspiration in a university setting.
12. Astrophysics- John Hopkins University
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Residential: $7,501 | Commuter: $6,701 | Additional fee: $180
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective (typical class size: 18–20 students)
Dates: Session One: June 22–July 11 | Session Two: July 13–August 1
Application Deadline: Typically opens in winter
Eligibility: Grades 7–11
This Astrophysics course, offered by Johns Hopkins CTY, immerses middle and high school students in the study of the universe’s most fascinating phenomena—from stellar evolution and black holes to galaxy formation and cosmology. You’ll explore how stars are born, live, and die, learning to calculate stellar distances, interpret spectra, and apply Hubble’s Law to understand galactic motion. Classroom discussions and labs encourage you to model celestial mechanics and grasp concepts such as supernovae, neutron stars, and dark matter. The program also introduces theories about the Big Bang and the ultimate fate of the universe, blending math, physics, and critical reasoning. As one of the most rigorous physics summer programs for middle school students, CTY’s Astrophysics course offers a genuine academic challenge in a university environment.
13. Middle School Physics Foundations
Location: Virtual (Live online sessions via Outschool)
Cost/Stipend: $130 for five sessions
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; 1–6 students per class
Dates: Multiple sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 10–15 (U.S. grades 4–7)
This five-day live online camp helps students develop a strong foundation in core physics concepts through fun, hands-on learning. Across five 45-minute lessons, you’ll explore motion, forces, energy, and gravity using real-world examples—like racing toy cars, experimenting with balloons, and modelling simple machines. The camp emphasises curiosity and connection, linking physics to everyday experiences such as biking, sports, and space exploration. With a small class size (typically six or fewer students), you’ll receive personalised instruction from an experienced educator with an engineering background. Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), this course is ideal for middle schoolers looking to strengthen their understanding of physics before the school year. As one of the most accessible virtual physics summer programs for middle school students, it builds both confidence and scientific thinking skills.
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