15 Summer Educational Programs for Middle School Students
If you are looking for an opportunity to learn beyond the school curriculum as a middle schooler, consider a summer program! Educational programs can help you explore a subject of your choice and be better prepared for high school.
These programs provide early exposure to advanced concepts and their applications, along with project-based learning and mentorship. Many programs also offer virtual participation, making them accessible to students throughout the country. Participating in a summer program as a middle school student can also help you define your interests and develop new skills before high school.
In this blog, we have covered 15 summer educational programs for middle school students. Whether you want to learn more about science, coding, business, or the arts, you will find an option that aligns with your interests.
1. dynaMIT Summer STEM Camp
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: Week 1: August 11 – August 15 (Rising 6th and 7th graders) | Week 2: August 18 – August 22 (Rising 8th and 9th graders)
Application deadline: Applications open in spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9
dynaMIT is a hands-on STEM camp hosted on MIT’s campus and designed for middle schoolers eager to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through project-based learning. You will collaborate with peers, engaging in experiments and challenges led by MIT undergraduate mentors, gaining practical skills and exposure to STEM concepts. The program is split into two sessions based on grade level, ensuring content is tailored and age-appropriate. In-person on-campus format gives you the chance to experience the MIT environment firsthand, interact with peers, and connect with STEM professionals.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
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. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort of 12
Dates: Summer Course: July 7 – July 25 + Fall Semester Meetings (weekly commitment): August 27 – December 10
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 or 7 who belong to low-income backgrounds and reside and attend school in the U.S.
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) offers a tuition-free, online summer course to prepare you for rigorous high school academics. You will enroll in a three-week summer course as well as weekly online meetings during the fall semester to refine problem-solving skills and academic habits. Courses cover advanced topics in history, social science, and math. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and study strategies tailored to support you in your transition to high school. The program is designed to provide sustained academic enrichment and mentorship throughout the academic year.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including in summer
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week virtual experience designed for middle school students interested in exploring research under the mentorship of experts from universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. You will explore four different topics during the first four weeks, then concentrate on a specialized subject in weeks five and six. The program offers personalized guidance throughout, with mentors helping you develop and complete a research project by week eight. This structured yet flexible approach allows you to refine deep learning, critical thinking, and research skills.
5. NYU’s College & Career Lab (CCL)
Location: New York University; New York City, NY; in-person and hybrid opportunity available
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Under-resourced rising 8th and 9th graders attending NYC public schools
NYU’s CCL is a free, six-year program providing under-resourced middle and high school students in New York City with opportunities to explore academic subjects and career pathways. Rising 8th and 9th graders participate in the four-week Exploratory Stage, engaging in college-style lectures and workshops led by NYU faculty on topics such as Neuroscience and Philosophy. The program connects students with industry professionals and offers real-world career experiences in fields like immigration law and physical therapy. Through mentorship, guidance, and hands-on learning, CCL is designed to help you with college preparation and future academics.
6. UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy Middle School Summer Workshops
Location: Online/hybrid/in-person at UCSD campus, San Diego, CA
Cost: $175–$320, depending on the course you choose
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions in summer
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Middle school students
UC San Diego offers a variety of focused summer workshops for middle school students spanning various disciplines, from entrepreneurship to environmental science. You can choose from various sessions, including Inventing and Patent Creation; Entrepreneurship for Young Innovators; Raspberry Pi; Wonderful World of Waves; Create a Children's Book; Planetary Cuisine, Climate, and Cultivation; CAD and 3D Printing; Meteorites, Crystals & Gems. Workshops run in-person or online with morning and afternoon options, featuring lectures, hands-on activities, and project work. These workshops are designed to help you build practical skills, creativity, and critical thinking while learning something new.
7. NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)
Location: Andries Hudde Junior High and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Competitive
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC residents, ages 12–14 by program start, with strong academic records and demonstrated STEM interest
NYU’s SoSC introduces middle school students to engineering, computer science, and technology through the lens of the development of sustainable, efficient, and safe urban environments. You will work in a team designing projects using electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, and sensors to solve real-world problems. The program includes hands-on classes led by NYU faculty and graduate students, along with a unique improv workshop (called Irondale) to enhance communication and public speaking skills. At the end of the program, you will present your smart city solutions that address a real issue.
8. Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Programs
Location: Virtual and on-campus at various locations
Cost: Varies by program format and course
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Vary by program format and course
Application deadline: Varies based on session
Eligibility: Advanced learners in grades 2–12
CTY at Johns Hopkins University offers various academic programs, both online and on campus, for gifted middle school students. You can choose from various courses to get personalized instruction in advanced topics not typically covered in school. Real-time, self-paced, and session-based courses are available across disciplines, from creative writing to medicine. The summer on-campus programs immerse you in challenging coursework alongside other motivated students. Additionally, CTY offers talent search assessments to help you identify your academic strengths and guide your learning path. All the programs emphasize academic acceleration, curiosity, and community building.
9. MIT Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $200; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – August 8
Application deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Middle school students residing in Massachusetts
MIT Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer is an in-person, three-week program held on MIT’s campus that invites Massachusetts middle school students to explore climate and sustainability topics through hands-on engineering, art, and project design. You will collaborate with peers to create original projects applying STEAM principles, combining concepts from science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. The program encourages creativity and teamwork in a supportive academic environment. A nominal fee applies, with financial aid available to ensure accessibility.
10. Stony Brook University’s Middle School Math Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $375
Cohort size: 24/program
Dates: July 21 – 24
Application deadline: No deadline; first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9
The Middle School Math Program at Stony Brook University offers middle school students opportunities to engage in sessions and activities covering key math concepts. Here, you will explore topics like algebra, geometry, operations with rational numbers, statistics, probability, and linear, quadratic, and exponential functions under the guidance of math instructors. You will also find opportunities to refine critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The experience can help you build a solid foundation for high school mathematics.
11. The Lawrence Summer Teen Research Programs
Location: The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Varies based on session
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple sessions in summer
Application deadline: Varies based on session
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–12
The Lawrence at UC Berkeley offers one-week summer research programs to middle and high school students. These programs provide hands-on experiences in STEM fields, allowing you to conduct fundamental research in university labs while connecting with faculty and peers. You can choose programs that involve studying animal behavior, conducting observational experiments, exploring body systems and biomedical innovations, learning block-based coding to build nanosatellites for space exploration, or designing solar-powered devices while mastering electrical circuitry, among others. Most programs are non-residential but offer an optional residential add-on to allow you to get an on-campus summer experience. This blend of academics, university environment, and exposure to STEM applications can help you prepare for future scientific and engineering careers.
12. The Ulysses S. Grant Foundation Summer Program
Location: Yale University Campus, New Haven, CT
Cost: $75; full scholarships available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 23 – July 30
Application deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Middle school students enrolled in public or parochial schools in New Haven
The Ulysses S. Grant Foundation offers a six-week academic summer program for motivated middle school students in New Haven. You will attend classes led by Yale undergraduate teachers and explore courses in the humanities designed to strengthen academic skills and prepare you for future success in school and college. During the humanities classes, you will study history, come up with speeches, read and discuss poetry, and engage in creative writing. You will attend investigations classes to develop problem-solving skills while working on projects in the natural and social sciences. Recreational activities like sports and games, music and performing arts classes, debate and mock trials, and a book club are part of the experience. You will also participate in field trips.
13. Penn GEMS: Engineering, Math, and Science Camp
Location: University of Pennsylvania Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $650
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: 1 week of summer
Application deadline: March 1; applications open on January 20
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area middle school students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 who live and attend school within 60 miles of the UPenn campus
Penn GEMS is a week-long day camp introducing Philadelphia-area middle school students to engineering concepts through activities in bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, graphics, and computing. You will work on collaborative projects and learn how engineering impacts everyday life, supported by mentorship from University of Pennsylvania students. You will work on creating your own robot, develop programming skills, engage in lab-based observations, and experiment with nanomaterials. The camp emphasizes real-world problem solving, teamwork, and encourages continued study in math, science, and engineering.
14. Harvard Ed Portal Summer Explorations
Location: Lavietes Pavilion, Allston, MA | Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for Ed Portal members; Allston-Brighton residents and families of the Gardner Pilot Academy can become Ed Portal members for free
Acceptance rate: Limited spots
Dates: July 7 – 9 (Moore Hoops Academy, 6th graders only) | August 4 – 8 (Harvard Museum of Natural History: Island Hopping)
Application deadline: Applications open early June
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8 in the fall who are Ed Portal members; free membership for Allston-Brighton residents and Gardner Pilot Academy families
Summer Explorations at Harvard’s Ed Portal provides small-group, in-person programs designed to engage middle school students in various enriching activities. The Moore Hoops Academy introduces 6th graders to basketball fundamentals and sportsmanship in a fun, supportive environment led by energetic coaches. An educational option is the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s Island Hopping: Evolutionary Game Design, which focuses on island biogeography through hands-on exploration and game design. Here, you will investigate species dispersal and ecosystem dynamics using microscopes and design-based project work. The programs emphasize experiential learning and community collaboration.
15. MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $850
Acceptance rate: Competitive selection based on application and recommendations
Dates: Fall: Four Saturdays, Spring: Four Saturdays, Summer: June 2 – June 27
Application deadline: May 2; applications open on February 10
Eligibility: Students in grades 4–8; applicants evaluated on academic performance, attendance, science aptitude, and recommendations
The MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy is designed to offer elementary and middle school students hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The program aims to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in health professions and STEM by cultivating early interest and skills. The Summer program offers a four-week in-person experience focusing on inquiry-based learning aligned with Georgia educational standards and covering topics like sports science, financial literacy, and coding. Here, you will participate in activities such as dissections and explore the intersection of STEAM and health careers. Selection is competitive, requiring applications and recommendations from science teachers and counselors. You can also enroll in weekly virtual sessions in fall and spring that focus on the development of creativity and problem-solving and cover topics like robotics and virtual reality.