11 Programs for Middle School Students in Washington State
If you’re a middle schooler and want to go beyond regular classes, academic programs help you explore subjects like medicine, computer science, creative writing, and engineering. You can design experiments, code apps, build robots, or even dive into higher-level topics while meeting mentors and students who share your passion. These programs are also a fun way to discover what you enjoy most and get a taste of what future studies might look like.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State is home to various universities and organizations that offer programs for middle school students. By joining a program here, you’ll get to work on projects, explore your academic interests, and attend lectures hosted by experienced mentors. Whether you are a local or are coming from out of state, you’ll find a variety of programs that help you build your profile in Washington.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 11 programs for middle school students in Washington State.
If you are looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. 4-H Programs
Location: Nationwide (organised by local county extension offices)
Cost: Typically free or low-cost; some events or projects may have fees
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; club sizes vary by county
Dates: Available year-round
Application deadline: Rolling; sign up through your local 4-H office or extension website
Eligibility: Youth aged 5-18 with some state-specific variations; full participation begins at age 8, with Cloverbud programs for ages 5–7
The 4-H Youth Development Program gives middle school students across Washington a structured way to explore science, leadership, and community engagement through hands-on learning. Supported by public universities and local volunteers, 4-H clubs meet regularly throughout the school year and cover topics such as robotics, agriculture, environmental science, and public speaking. You’ll choose a project area that matches your interests, whether that’s raising animals, conducting experiments, or organising community events, and receive guidance from experienced mentors. Projects often culminate in local or state fair presentations, offering a platform to showcase your work.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
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
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces middle school students to the essentials of artificial intelligence through a 25-hour online course combining mentorship and project-based learning. Working in small groups with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you will start with Python programming and progress to concepts like data analysis, regression, image classification, and neural networks. The program also incorporates discussions on AI ethics and responsible innovation, helping you understand the technology’s real-world impact. Past students have created projects such as music genre classifiers and AI tools that recommend educational content. Sessions also include interactive lectures, coding challenges, and mentor feedback. By the end, you’ll have a completed project reflecting your understanding of AI principles and their uses.
3. Engineering For Kids – After-school Classes
Location: Franchise centres across the U.S., including Portland
Cost: Often free to schools; costs vary widely by location
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; class sizes usually range from 8 to 16 students
Dates: Available year-round during the academic calendar; summer camps and holiday workshops are also offered
Application deadline: Varies by location and program; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Students ages 4–14; grouped by age for appropriate curriculum
Engineering For Kids offers after-school classes that turn science and engineering into interactive experiences for middle school students. Through hands-on projects, you might launch rockets, program robots, or design bridges while learning how the engineering design process works from start to finish. Some sessions focus on technology and coding, where you can try 3D modelling, game design, or programming challenges using popular tools. For students interested in Minecraft, themed workshops encourage you to build sustainable cities, combining creativity with lessons in environmental design.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year; you can apply using this application link
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week virtual experience that introduces middle school students to research and critical thinking under the mentorship of PhD researchers from top universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. During the first few weeks, you’ll explore various academic fields like biology, computer science, or social studies, before focusing on a specific topic for your final project. Weekly one-on-one meetings with your mentor guide you through research design, data analysis, and presentation development. The program encourages independent inquiry while offering comprehensive support to help you complete a research paper, case study, or multimedia presentation.
5. Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge
Location: Nationwide; finalists travel to Washington, D.C. for finals
Cost: Free to enter via nomination from an affiliated science fair
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Top 300 projects selected nationally; 30 finalists attend finals week
Dates: Finals week held in fall; dates vary annually
Application deadline: Students must be nominated between February and June through an affiliated science fair
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 6–8 who are nominated by a Society-affiliated science fair
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge is a nationwide science and engineering competition designed for middle school students in grades 6 through 8 who demonstrate strong investigative and problem-solving abilities. To qualify, you first compete in a Society-affiliated local or regional science fair, where the top 10% of participants are nominated for the national round. Nominees complete an online application describing their projects and their understanding of science and engineering in everyday life. From these, 300 students are recognised nationally, and 30 finalists are invited to Washington, D.C., to participate in team-based challenges and present their projects. Finalists compete for major awards, including the $25,000 ASCEND Award, as well as several category-specific prizes, recognizing creativity, scientific impact, and teamwork.
6. Girls Who Code Clubs
Location: Remote and in-person options available across the U.S. and internationally
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all; no selection process
Dates: Ongoing during the school year; clubs typically meet 1–2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Application deadline: Rolling; students join through their local school or community club
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 3–12; no prior coding experience required
Girls Who Code Clubs offer free learning spaces where middle school students can develop coding and problem-solving skills in a collaborative, supportive environment. Whether you join online or at a local library, school, or community centre, the club guides you through computer science basics using projects related to web development, game design, and cybersecurity. Lessons progress from block-based coding to more advanced programming in Python or JavaScript, depending on your level. You’ll work on real projects like building a website or designing an app while learning to think critically and debug your code. The program also connects you with mentors and peers who share your interest in technology and innovation.
7. Pre-Med Readiness Summer Intensive Program - MPP Academy
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.; Virtual option also available.
Cost: Varies according to different locations and sessions, more details here (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: No information available
Dates: Vary according to different locations and sessions
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Pre-Med Readiness Summer Intensive Program by MPP Academy is a one- or two-week academic experience that combines medical training with college and career preparation. The program includes pre-med foundational courses in anatomy, physiology, and biology, alongside hands-on clinical exercises such as taking vitals, wound care, and suturing. You will also participate in simulations that replicate real healthcare scenarios to understand patient interaction and decision-making. Beyond science, this medicine program for middle school students in Washington includes workshops on college admissions, financial literacy, and study strategies to prepare you for future academic pathways. Each day comprises interactive classes and activities, ending with a closing ceremony where students and families celebrate achievements. Participants also earn certifications in CPR and First Aid.
8. NOAA Science Camp
Location: NOAA's Sand Point facility, Lake Washington, Seattle
Cost: $450 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14–18
Application deadline: Opens in early Spring/February
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8 in the fall
NOAA Science Camp introduces middle school students to marine and environmental science through a week-long, hands-on learning experience that lets them explore how scientists study oceans, weather, and climate systems. Activities include simulating a scuba dive in a hyperbaric chamber, identifying marine mammals using skulls and tags, and analysing water samples to understand ocean health. You’ll visit different NOAA labs to see how research is conducted and collaborate on a group project that applies your new knowledge to a real-world environmental challenge. Alongside scientific exploration, the camp incorporates team-building games and field activities that make learning both interactive and engaging.
9. UW Youth & Teen Programs
Location: UW campus or online
Cost: Approx $700; may vary with workshop
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort size
Dates: Vary by workshop; Winter, Spring, and Summer sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The University of Washington’s Youth & Teen Programs give middle school students the chance to explore writing in depth through workshops led by experienced instructors. Courses such as the Mechanics of Writing Workshop focus on building strong writing foundations, including grammar, paragraph organisation, and essay structure. You’ll learn how to draft, edit, and revise your work, as well as exchange feedback with peers to sharpen your communication skills. Another option, the Writers Workshop for Middle School, centres on creative writing–guiding you through fiction, poetry, and nonfiction while helping you find your own voice. Both programs for middle school students in Washington combine guided lessons with independent projects, allowing you to produce a portfolio of writing that reflects your growth.
10. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual. Washington students may apply
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 12 students per cohort
Dates: Three-week summer course (July 7–25) followed by weekly fall meetings (August 27–December 10)
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-7 from low-income families (household income under $90,000 annually) who reside in and attend school in the United States; minimum B- B-grade average required
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program supports academically talented, low-income students through a free, hybrid learning experience. This prestigious program for middle school students in Washington begins with a three-week online summer course in subjects such as mathematics, philosophy, political theory, and media literacy, taught by Stanford faculty. From August to December, scholars continue with weekly online after-school meetings that focus on academic writing, growth mindset, and preparing for selective high school admissions. Classes meet in small cohorts, promoting collaboration and direct interaction with instructors, many of whom hold PhDs in their fields. Parents are included through periodic conferences and outreach sessions to support student success.
11. Johns Hopkins CTY
Location: Virtual. Washington students may apply
Cost: Varies by course and course format
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Starting the week of September 8
Application deadline: August 12
Eligibility: Students in grades 2 – 12
The Johns Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth (CTY) provides advanced academic programs for middle school students who perform above grade level and seek deeper intellectual engagement. CTY’s online and on-campus courses span diverse disciplines, including mathematics, writing, and science-based subjects like environmental design, forensics, and space science. Each course is led by experienced instructors who guide you through lectures, projects, and group discussions at a challenging academic pace. You’ll have the flexibility to study independently while collaborating with peers from around the world who share similar academic interests.
Image source - Johns Hopkins