15 Programs for Middle School Students in Texas
While in middle school, participating in programs that help you learn beyond the school curriculum can be a great way to explore your academic and personal interests. Structured programs add to your classroom learning by providing opportunities to build skills in a guided setting as you work on projects and receive mentorship from professionals. You develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities, which can be valuable for future academic and professional opportunities.
Texas, which is home to top universities and research institutions, offers a wide variety of programs tailored for middle schoolers. From STEM-focused workshops to mentorship-driven initiatives, programs within the state can help you dive into disciplines and gain industry insights. Local opportunities can help you save money and time on travel and housing if you are in-state. Out-of-state can also benefit from some of these programs and benefit from the resources and opportunities offered in Texas.
In this post, we’ve highlighted 15 programs for middle school students in Texas that stand out for their quality, structure, and hands-on learning.
1. UT Southwestern STARS Program Middle School Camp
Location: UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/camp
Dates: June 26 – July 2
Application deadline: Spring; check program site for updates
Eligibility: Current 7th-grade students; Texas residents preferred
The Middle School Camp at UT Southwestern provides students with early exposure to laboratory science through a combination of hands-on labs, classroom instruction, and interactive activities. You will learn how to use a microscope, balance chemical equations, and create phylogenetic trees while also exploring various topics in STEM. You will also participate in engaging activities like escape rooms and scavenger hunts. The curriculum covers concepts like the law of conservation of mass, cell theory, and body systems. The program can help you build foundational scientific knowledge, practice collaborative problem-solving, and gain early exposure to real-world lab environments.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohorts with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Dates: Varies by cohort; Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weekends | Summer cohort: 25 hours over two weeks (weekdays)
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The AI Trailblazers program introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. While engaging in 25 hours of instruction, you will explore Python programming and key concepts such as regression, data analysis, neural networks, image classification, and AI ethics. The program emphasizes project-based learning, allowing you to apply the concepts you learn. Past participants have developed models to classify music genres or design algorithms that recommend personalized educational resources. With a low 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, the program offers individualized feedback and support in coding and problem-solving. By the end of the program, you will have built real AI projects. You can apply to the program here
3. UT Southwestern STARS Program Biology Camp
Location: UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/camp
Dates: June 5 – 13
Application deadline: Spring; check program site for updates
Eligibility: Current 8th-grade students preparing to take freshman-level Biology
The Biology Camp at UT Southwestern is designed to offer students exposure to advanced science content before they begin high school biology. As a participant, you will participate in lab-based exercises covering topics such as biomolecules, membranes, photosynthesis, respiration, and DNA structure and function. The program also offers hands-on activities in protein synthesis, energy transfer, and enzyme reactions to help you connect molecular biology with real-world processes. Afternoon sessions extend learning beyond the lab with opportunities like anatomy labs, activities focused on genetics, and teamwork-building challenges. The curriculum is designed to cover core biological concepts and offer practical lab experience that prepares you for high school academics.
4. Lumiere Education Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several eight-week cohorts available
Application deadline: Winter I: September 21 | Winter II: December 28 | Spring: February 8; deadlines for other cohorts TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
If you are looking for opportunities to engage in independent inquiry as well as benefit from close mentorship, Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program offers middle school students opportunities to explore academic interests while working 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor. Alongside a global community of peers and mentors from top universities, you will gain early exposure to advanced research skills like academic writing, literature review, and data analysis. As a participant, you will start by exploring multiple topics and then refine your focus into a research project. Options are available across areas, including computer science, AI, biology, psychology, economics, and international relations. Past projects have focused on wide-ranging topics, from building machine learning models to exploring the ethics of gene editing and financial data analysis.
5. Mars Rover Celebration
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Free to enter; $10–$25 per model construction; fees for sponsors: $25/person
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to 120 teams/division; 1–4 members/team
Dates: Six-week fall semester project + celebration event in March
Application deadline: Adult Sponsor Registration: February 21; Student Team Registration: March 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 8
The Mars Rover Celebration allows middle school students to design and build a mock-up rover or habitation model that can carry out a science mission on the surface of Mars. Over six weeks, you and your team will conduct research, create a rover using affordable materials, and document your process in a guidebook and presentation. Models can be free-form, solar-powered, radio-controlled, or habitation, which gives you the flexibility in how you approach the design challenge. At the final Celebration event hosted at the University of Houston, you will showcase your model, present your mission to judges, and interact with aerospace professionals. In addition to recognition certificates, outstanding projects receive awards. This program can help you gain experience in engineering design, scientific inquiry, and creativity.
6. Science and Engineering Fair of Houston (SEFH): Junior Division
Location: SEFH, Houston, TX
Cost: Free to enter; project costs vary.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; large regional fair with selective advancement to state and ISEF pathways
Dates: Projects submitted by January 19 (you can register projects online through STEM Wizard); fair held in spring
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8;
SEFH offers middle school students in Texas a chance to showcase original research projects across a wide range of scientific categories. You can work independently or in a small team to design and conduct a project in areas such as life sciences, physics, engineering, computer science, or social sciences. You will present your projects at the regional fair, gaining experience in scientific communication, problem-solving, and real-world application of research methods. You will also have the opportunity to meet STEM professionals, get recognition for your project, and potentially advance to higher-level competitions. This fair can help you practice designing and presenting an academic project while building skills in public speaking and scientific inquiry. Projects must comply with Regeneron ISEF rules.
7. Tapia STEM Camps @ Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $2,500 (food and lodging included); scholarships and discounts available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~100+ students per session
Dates: July 5 – 10 | July 12 – 17 | July 19 – 24
Application deadline: Spring; rolling until filled
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12
The Tapia STEM Camps at Rice University provide middle and high school students with the chance to experience life on a college campus while engaging in collaborative STEM projects. During the six-day residential program, you will live in Rice dorms, attend classes in university facilities, and participate in field trips such as visits to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. You will work in a small team to complete projects such as building models of carbon storage systems, developing admission algorithms, or exploring climate change solutions, depending on the session you choose. Communication is a core focus, with opportunities to present your project at the end of camp. In addition to building STEM skills, you will also gain experience in teamwork, public speaking, and problem-solving in a university environment.
8. UT PREP Summer STEM Pathway
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $2,700; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 6 and 7 by summer
The UT PREP Summer STEM Pathway offers middle school students a five-week academic enrichment opportunity on the University of Texas at Austin campus. In the first-summer track called UT PREP 1, you will study advanced topics in logic, engineering, and mathematical problem-solving while participating in campus activities such as research lab tours, swimming at Gregory Gym, and social events. On completing UT PREP 1, you will get to return for three additional summers to progress through PREP 2–4, accessing a multi-year STEM enrichment pathway. The program combines coursework with hands-on engineering challenges and exposure to real university labs. Throughout the program, you will have the mentorship and support of K-12 educators, UTeach Master and preservice teachers, and UT students, faculty, and staff.
9. Texas State University Mathworks Junior Summer Math Camp (JSMC)
Location: Texas State University campus, San Marcos, TX
Cost: 2,200 (includes housing, meals, and other supplies); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Under 20%; 60 students/year
Dates: June 7 – 19
Application deadline: Round 1: February 15; Round 2: March 15; Round 3 (final round): April 16
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
JSMC is a two-week residential camp held at Texas State University for middle schoolers interested in exploring career paths and topics in mathematics. During the program, you will learn about concepts within probability, advanced geometry, number theory, counting techniques, combinatorics, and advanced algebraic problem-solving. You will attend daily classes led by university professors and engage in group study sessions. Additionally, you will participate in camp activities and outings to connect with peers. You will also find opportunities to develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and research skills.
10. Texas A&M University’s Aggie STEM Camps
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $1,499 (includes food, lodging, activities)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 31 – June 6; June 7 – 13; June 14 – 20; June 21 – 27
Application deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising 6th–12th-graders
Aggie STEM Camps give middle school students the chance to explore engineering, math, and science through project-based learning in a residential setting at Texas A&M. During the weeklong overnight camp, you will stay in university dorms, work with faculty and STEM professionals, and participate in hands-on classes such as engineering design, mathematical modeling, and advanced technology tools. The camps also offer opportunities to attend panels and engage in challenges to gain exposure to STEM. You will also participate in recreational activities at camp. Each summer, the camps offer new themes and projects, ensuring that returning campers continue to be challenged.
11. Girlstart Summer Camp
Location: Multiple sites across Texas
Cost: Varies by location; scholarships often available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Week-long sessions throughout the summer
Application deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Girls entering grades 4 – 8
Girlstart Summer Camps are designed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among middle school girls. Over the course of a week, you will engage in experiments, engineering design projects, and STEM challenges that help you exercise creativity and problem-solving skills. The camp combines both classroom-based learning and informal activities to strengthen conceptual understanding while maintaining a fun and engaging experience. The program focuses on offering individualized STEM experiences to help you explore new concepts based on your interests.
12. National Society of Black Engineers’ Fresh Start STEM Event
Location: Houston City College Campus, Houston, TX
Cost: $5
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open registration; space limited per workshop
Dates: November 8 (one-day event)
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 – 12
Fresh Start is a one-day event designed to spark curiosity and passion for STEM through hands-on workshops and mentorship. Throughout the day, you will explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts by experimenting, collaborating, and working directly with professionals in the field. The program combines engaging activities with real-world applications, helping you better understand how STEM skills can be used to solve problems and create innovations. Sessions are led by educators, scientists, and industry experts. Beyond the workshops, Fresh Start offers opportunities to network with STEM mentors and collaborate with peers.
13. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual or in-person in Dallas, TX; location can vary each year
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple two-week camps during the summer months
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens, ages 13 to 18
Kode With Klossy Summer Camp offers middle and high school students a two-week introduction to machine learning, software development, and programming. You will learn about these concepts through one of four tracks. In the camp’s web development track, you will gain some experience in using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to develop an online site. The machine learning track focuses on AI and ML concepts like natural language processing, algorithms, and working with datasets. In the data science track, you will explore concepts like data visualisation, whereas the mobile app track can help you learn how to code in Swift (Apple’s programming language) and create an iOS mobile application.
14. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; financial aid available
Cohort size: Not specified; 16 students/class
Dates: Session One: June 16 – 27 | Session Two: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 – 11
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer middle and high school students access to virtual college-level courses. You can choose from 70 courses across disciplines—the humanities, sciences, math, business, and social sciences—with options ranging from biochemistry to game design and creative writing. Each course typically consists of online lectures, class discussions, homework, and project work. Some courses also allow you to work on problem sets and engage in case study analysis. You will learn from Stanford instructors alongside peers from around the world, gaining experience in cross-cultural collaboration as well as exposure to university-level academics.
15. Texas Tech K-12 Online Middle School Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Tuition-free for Texas residents (lottery-based); tuition-paid options also available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited
Dates: Flexible enrollment; Fall semester: August 1 – January 15 | Spring semester: December 16 – June 30
Application deadline: Lottery held in June (Fall) and January (Spring); rolling if space is available
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; Texas residents are eligible for the tuition-free option, whereas the paid option is open to students in the U.S.
The Texas Tech K-12 Online Middle School Program offers students flexible, accredited academic learning opportunities that meet state standards while also accommodating individual schedules. As a full-time online student, you will complete a rigorous curriculum covering core subjects such as science, mathematics, social studies, and English, along with fine arts and career exploration. You can also enroll in individual courses or earn credit by exam to accelerate progress. For Texas residents, the state-funded option offers tuition-free enrollment, textbooks, and online resources; however, admission is based on a lottery system. The program emphasizes both flexibility and accountability, offering structured coursework and required state testing.
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