14 Science Summer Programs for Middle School Students

If you're a high school student looking to explore science before committing to it in college, a structured program can be a good option to explore. These programs often combine coursework, research, or lab work with mentor guidance, helping you build skills, gain exposure to new material, and develop connections. Whether your interests lie in biology, physics, computer science, or engineering, these programs can help you test out a field before deciding to pursue it further.

What are the benefits of a science program?

A science program can give you access to lab equipment, mentorship, and research questions that go beyond what a standard classroom offers. Depending on the program you choose, you could conduct experiments alongside faculty and graduate students, work through a computational research project, or contribute to an ongoing study in a specific field. Whether you're drawn to biology, physics, engineering, or computer science, these programs can help you build technical skills while getting a clearer sense of what the field actually involves.

To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 science summer programs for middle school students.

If you’re looking for online tech programs, check out our blog here.

Key takeaways

• These 14 programs span AI and machine learning, robotics, aerospace engineering, marine technology, physics, urban science, biomedical science, and independent research, so middle school students with a wide range of science interests can find a relevant option in person or online.

• Several programs are free, including MIT DynaMIT, Stanford SMSSP (free for low-income families), Physics Inside Out at Purdue, NYU Science of Smart Cities, Oregon MESA, Columbia S-PREP, and Science Club for Girls Summer Rocketry, while Veritas AI and Lumiere offer financial aid for their virtual programs.

• Many programs specifically prioritize underrepresented or low-income students, including Stanford SMSSP (households under $90,000), MIT DynaMIT, Columbia S-PREP (economically disadvantaged New York State residents), NYU SoSC, and Science Club for Girls (girls and gender expansive students from Greater Boston), so students from these backgrounds should take note of these targeted opportunities.

• Programs vary significantly in length and format, from one-week introductory camps, such as MIT DynaMIT and Physics Inside Out at Purdue, to year-long academic programs, such as Columbia S-PREP and Oregon MESA, so students can choose based on their availability and depth of interest.

1. MIT DynaMIT

Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive

Dates: Mid to late August (separate one-week sessions for rising 6th - 7th graders and for rising 8th - 9th graders) 

Application Deadline: February

Eligibility: Rising 6th - 9th-grade students | applications from students who might not otherwise have access to STEM enrichment programs are encouraged

MIT DynaMIT introduces you to science and engineering through a fast-paced, hands-on program conducted on campus. Each day begins with short lessons and demonstrations that introduce key concepts, followed by interactive experiments and design-based activities. Topics vary annually and may include electricity, materials science, forensics, or introductory programming. Working in small groups, you apply these concepts through guided challenges led by MIT undergraduate mentors. Throughout this free science summer program for middle school students, you develop a project that integrates multiple concepts explored during the week. You also receive iterative feedback on your approach and learn how to refine your designs based on results. The experience concludes with presentations where you explain your work and reflect on your learning outcomes.

2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual

Cost/Stipend: 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

This online science summer program for middle school students introduces them to Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a structured combination of coding instruction, guided practice, and project-based exploration. You begin by building a foundation in programming, then progress to topics such as data analysis, machine learning, and pattern recognition. Through hands-on exercises and coding challenges, you examine how algorithms process data and generate predictions. Mentors provide support throughout the program, helping clarify complex concepts while encouraging you to test and refine your own approaches. As your skills develop, you design a small AI-based project that applies these techniques you have learned in a practical context. You also engage in discussions on responsible technology use, helping you understand how AI systems influence decision-making across healthcare, finance, and digital platforms. 

3. University of Rhode Island’s Navy STEM Crew Summer Camp

Location: University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus, Kingston, RI

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified | enrollment is lottery-based after the interest form closes

Dates: July 6 - 10 | August 3 - 7 | August 11 - 14

Application Deadline: March 15 (interest form closing date)

Eligibility: Elementary and middle school students | grade-level requirements vary by camp.

The Navy STEM Crew Summer Camp provides an immersive introduction to engineering and marine technology through a series of hands-on activities in a university environment. Throughout the program, you work on practical activities including underwater robotics, drone operation, 3D printing, and ocean science, gaining exposure to how these areas intersect. The experience encourages you to experiment, test ideas, and refine your approach through practical work. Many of the activities are grounded in naval and ocean-based applications, helping you understand how engineering concepts are used in real-world contexts. Over the course of the week, you might explore how underwater systems operate, how drones are programmed and controlled, and how fabrication tools are used to solve technical challenges.

4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Remote

Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program | unpaid

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 here

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 - 8

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program introduces students to the fundamentals of academic research through structured mentorship and guided inquiry. Early sessions focus on helping you explore broad disciplines such as biology, computer science, and the social sciences while learning how researchers identify meaningful research questions. As your interests become more defined, you narrow your focus and develop a defined research topic with support from a mentor. Weekly meetings guide you through source evaluation, information interpretation, and the organization of your ideas into a coherent argument. You also develop skills in structuring written work and presenting your findings clearly to an audience. Feedback throughout the program helps you improve both your research and communication skills. By the end of this science summer program for middle school students, you will complete a final project such as a research paper, case study, or presentation that demonstrates your investigation and findings.

5. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)

Location: Online (live, synchronous; device lending program available for accepted students)

Cost: Free; tuition-free for students from low-income backgrounds

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 12 students per cohort; selective

Dates: Summer course: July 6–24; Fall semester meetings: August 26 – December 9 (Wednesdays, weekly)

Application Deadline: March 25

Eligibility: Current 6th or 7th graders residing in and attending school in the United States; admitted students' families typically have household incomes under $90,000

SMSSP is a free online program run by Stanford Online High School instructors, designed for middle school students from low-income backgrounds who want to explore rigorous academic content beyond their school curriculum. The three-week summer course offers four course options, including science and history tracks, taught in live daily sessions with a small cohort of 12 students. The fall semester continues with weekly sessions through December, with academic enrichment workshops covering scientific thinking, writing, and preparation for selective high school programs. Students who complete both components receive a certificate of completion and are supported in applying to Stanford Online High School and other advanced academic programs.

6. Physics Inside Out – Purdue University

Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (commuter; lunch provided daily at Purdue dining courts)

Cost: Free; all materials provided

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited; selective

Dates: June 8 – June 12

Application Deadline: April 15; registration opens March 11

Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th-grade students; requires a teacher recommendation and a written response

Physics Inside Out is a free five-day program at Purdue's Department of Physics and Astronomy where current 7th- and 8th-grade students work through hands-on experiments guided by Purdue faculty and graduate researchers. Sessions cover topics spanning nano to astro, including graphene exfoliation, ferrofluid synthesis, atomic force microscopy, magnetism, astrophysics, and infrared light detection. Faculty share their personal paths into science alongside the technical content, giving students direct exposure to what careers in physics and astronomy actually look like.

7. NYU Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)

Location: Andries Hudde Magnet School of STEAM, Brooklyn, NY

Cost/Stipend: Full scholarship 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective application process

Dates: July 6 - 30

Application Deadline: April 29

Eligibility: New York City residents between 12 and 14 years old at the start of the program with a strong academic record and an interest in STEM

NYU’s Science of Smart Cities program introduces students to how engineering and technology shape modern urban environments and infrastructure. Throughout the program, you work with tools such as sensors, circuits, microcontrollers, and coding platforms to understand how interconnected systems collect and respond to data. Projects are structured around real-world urban challenges, encouraging you to explore areas such as energy efficiency, transportation systems, and environmental monitoring. With guidance from faculty and graduate mentors, you progress through the full design cycle, from initial concept development to building and refining working functional prototypes. You also learn how to test your designs and evaluate their effectiveness in addressing specific problems.  The program concludes with a final presentation in which you demonstrate your solution and discuss its applicability to real-world city environments.

8. Oregon MESA – MESA Schools Program

Location: Portland State University, Portland, OR (with regional school-based chapters statewide)

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective based on school chapter capacity

Dates: Weekly sessions throughout the school year | schedule varies by chapter

Application Deadline: Varies by school chapter | typically aligned with school-year enrollment

Eligibility: Students in grades 5 - 12 | participants must attend a partnering MESA chapter school

The Oregon MESA Schools Program introduces middle school students to engineering and innovation through structured, project-based learning led by trained instructors. Working in small groups, you focus on identifying real-world challenges, generating potential solutions, and developing prototypes designed to address a specific problem. The program highlights the iterative nature of engineering, encouraging you to test your ideas, evaluate results, and refine your designs through multiple stages. Throughout the process, you also build communication skills by presenting your work and explaining the decisions behind your design approach. Mentors, including industry volunteers and STEM professionals, often contribute by sharing how similar problem-solving approaches are applied in real-world professional environments.

9. Columbia University State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective academic and character-based criteria

Dates: Summer: Monday through Friday from July 6 - 31 | Academic year: Saturdays from October - May

Application Deadline: Summer: April 15 | Academic Year: November 1

Eligibility: New York State resident in grades 7 - 12 | either economically disadvantaged or in need of academic support in STEM | minimum 80% GPA (especially in math and science) and strong interest in STEM or medicine required

This selective science summer program for middle school students at Columbia University supports students interested in pursuing careers in science, medicine, or related fields through a structured academic experience. During the summer component, you attend weekday classes covering subjects such as anatomy, biochemistry, physics, and cognitive science. The coursework is designed to build conceptual understanding while introducing material typically encountered in advanced high school or early college-level courses. In addition to academics, you participate in mentoring sessions and workshops focused on college preparation and STEM career exploration. Field trips and campus-based activities provide exposure to research environments and academic resources. Instructors also encourage the development of strong study habits and analytical skills that can support long-term academic success.

10. Stony Brook University Science Exploration Program

Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY

Cost/Stipend: $700 (non-refundable) | unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students per grade level

Dates: June 29 - July 9 

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served

Eligibility: Must be entering grade 7 or 8 in September

The Science Exploration Program at Stony Brook University engages you in hands-on laboratory work designed to reflect real scientific investigation. Initial sessions focus on building foundational experimental skills, including forming hypotheses, designing controlled experiments, and interpreting data. Depending on your grade level, you explore subject areas such as physics, microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental science. Interactive demonstrations and case studies help you connect scientific concepts to real-world applications and existing challenges. You also collaborate with peers on group projects, analyze scientific readings, and present your findings in a structured format. Instructors guide you through each stage of the scientific process, from planning experiments to evaluating results. 

11. Engineering Summer Camps at UAH

Location: University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL

Cost/Stipend: Varies by camp | scholarships available | unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: Multiple programs throughout June and July

Application Deadline: Opens in February

Eligibility: Students in grades 5 through 10

The engineering camps at the University of Alabama in Huntsville explore how scientific principles are applied to real-world technological challenges. Daily activities include experiments, design projects, and demonstrations led by university faculty and engineering students. As the program progresses, you explore structural engineering, electronics, and energy systems. Many sessions involve building and testing prototypes, allowing you to evaluate how your ideas perform in practice. Lab tours and mentoring interactions provide additional insight into how engineers work in research and industry settings. You also learn how to approach problems systematically and refine your designs based on results. The science summer program concludes with a final project that integrates the concepts covered throughout the experience.

12. Providence Country Day – Lego Engineering Camp

Location: Providence Country Day School, East Providence, RI

Cost/Stipend: $375 per week (week 2 is $350) | unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Dates: June 29 - July 2 | July 6 - 10

Application Deadline: Not specified

Eligibility: Students aged 9 - 14 years

This science summer program for middle school students introduces students to core engineering concepts through structured design challenges using familiar building materials. Each activity focuses on a specific goal, such as constructing a mechanism or designing a structure that meets defined performance criteria. As you build and test your models, you explore how principles from physics and engineering influence motion, stability, and efficiency. Projects often draw inspiration from real-world systems, including transportation networks and mechanical devices. You evaluate how your designs perform and make adjustments to improve their functionality, while instructors guide you in connecting your observations to underlying scientific concepts. 

13. Science Club for Girls Summer Rocketry Program 

Location: Graham & Parks School, Cambridge, MA

Cost/Stipend: None

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Dates: Two-week sessions in the summer | dates vary by year

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Rising 6th - 8th-grade girls and gender expansive students from the Greater Boston area | Priority will be given to those who are the most underrepresented in STEM

This program introduces middle school students to aerospace engineering through a series of hands-on design and experimentation activities. Over the course of the experience, you work on projects such as building rockets, designing model space stations, and experimenting with robotic systems. Each task is connected to scientific principles that explain how spacecraft operate and travel. Mentors guide discussions that connect these concepts to real-world aerospace missions and technologies. You also participate in sessions where professionals share insights into careers in aerospace and engineering. Field trips and collaborative challenges provide additional opportunities to apply what you have learned. 

14. WKU The Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY)

Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

Cost/Stipend: $4,200 | financial assistance available | unpaid

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Class sizes capped at 16 students | placement on a first-come, first-served basis

Dates: June 21 - July 11

Application Deadline: Rolling until filled | financial aid deadline is April 15

Eligibility: Must have completed grade 7, 8, 9, or 10 by the end of the school year | must submit qualifying ACT or SAT scores for your selected course

This residential summer program brings academically motivated students together for an intensive experience seeking in-depth subject exploration. You select a single course and engage with it for several hours daily through discussion, analysis, and problem-solving. Topics vary widely, allowing you to focus on an area of interest while working at an accelerated pace compared to a standard classroom setting. Evening study sessions provide additional time to review material, complete assignments, or receive guidance from teaching assistants. In addition to academics, organized activities create opportunities to interact with peers who share strong academic interests. 

Frequently asked questions

1. What science programs are available for middle school students?

Options include AI and coding programs, such as Veritas AI Trailblazers and Lumiere Junior Explorer, physics and engineering programs, such as Physics Inside Out at Purdue and NYU Science of Smart Cities, marine and aerospace programs, such as URI Navy STEM Crew and Science Club for Girls Rocketry, biomedical and academic enrichment programs, such as Columbia S-PREP and Stony Brook Science Exploration, and residential academic programs, such as Stanford SMSSP and WKU VAMPY.

2. Are there free science programs for middle school students?

Yes, MIT DynaMIT, Stanford SMSSP, Physics Inside Out at Purdue, NYU Science of Smart Cities, Oregon MESA, Columbia S-PREP, and Science Club for Girls Summer Rocketry are all free. URI Navy STEM Crew is also free, and Veritas AI and Lumiere offer financial aid for their virtual programs.

3. Which programs are open to students outside specific cities or states?

Veritas AI Trailblazers and Lumiere Junior Explorer Program are fully virtual and open to students anywhere. WKU VAMPY and Stony Brook Science Exploration accept students regardless of location, and Engineering Summer Camps at UAH and Providence Country Day Lego Engineering Camp also welcome out-of-state applicants.

4. When should I apply to science programs for middle school students?

Stanford SMSSP closes March 25, Physics Inside Out at Purdue closes April 15, and Columbia S-PREP closes April 15 for the summer component. NYU Science of Smart Cities closes April 29, and URI Navy STEM Crew closes its interest form on March 15. Programs, such as Veritas AI, Lumiere, and Science Club for Girls, accept rolling applications, so students should apply as soon as they are ready.