15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Illinois
If you’re a middle schooler who wants more than the usual summer routine, academic and structured programs can give you a meaningful head start. You can experiment with subjects like computer science, medicine, robotics, math, or design while gaining practical experience and meeting mentors who can guide your growth. Many of these opportunities come from well-known universities and organizations, making them reliable choices for students eager to explore new skills.
Why should you join a middle school summer program in Illinois?
Illinois is home to several programs, and its universities and educational centers offer a mix of practical learning and academic exploration. These programs often include projects such as designing robots, conducting lab experiments, coding apps, or creating art portfolios under the guidance of experienced mentors. Whether you’re a local or out-of-state student, these programs provide an ideal setting to learn, collaborate, and grow.
In this list, we’ve gathered 15 summer programs for middle school students in Illinois.
If you are looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Chicago Botanic Garden: Science First
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Cost: Free (rising 7th-8th graders)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 24 – July 12
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Rising 7th-10th graders in Chicago Public Schools
Science First is a multi-week summer program at the Chicago Botanic Garden designed to immerse Chicago Public School students in hands-on scientific exploration. As a rising 7th-8th grader, you’ll participate in a three-week nature-focused experience that includes outdoor investigations, science experiments, and field trips. You’ll also participate in activities such as kayaking and aquaponics building, all while receiving free lunch and learning alongside peers. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with scientists and educators, building confidence, curiosity, and foundational STEM skills.
2. Veritas AI's AI Trailblazers
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling (based on cohort)
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Veritas AI Trailblazers program introduces you to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence through a structured and engaging virtual curriculum. Over 25 hours of instruction, you’ll learn Python programming and explore key concepts such as data analysis, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you’ll benefit from personalized support during lectures and collaborative sessions. Designed for younger learners, the program provides an accessible but rigorous pathway into AI and machine learning.
3. UIC Engineering Experience Summer Camp
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $500 for one week
Cohort Size: 30 students per group
Dates: July 13 – 17 (track 1); July 20 – 24 (track 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 6th-7th graders (track 1); Rising 8th-9th graders (track 2)
The UIC Engineering Experience Summer Camp is a week-long, hands-on engineering program hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago. The camp is designed to introduce you to college-level engineering concepts in a supportive and engaging environment. As a participant, you’ll rotate through multiple engineering disciplines over five days, completing hands-on challenges developed by UIC engineering faculty and graduate students in real research labs. The camp is split into three different tracks: Discovering Engineering (track 1), Exploring Engineering (track 2), and Applying Engineering and College Prep (track 3). Tracks 1 and 2 are open to middle schoolers, while the third is offered only to upper-level high school students. Camp topics include biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, software engineering, environmental sustainability planning, and mechanical and industrial engineering. Based on your track, you’ll work in small teams to solve problems, build projects, and experiment with tools such as coding platforms, robotics, and 3D printing.
4. Lumiere's Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Varies, depending on the cohort
Application Deadline: Varies, depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a fully virtual program designed for middle school students who want to explore academic interests through one-on-one mentorship. As a participant, you will be paired with mentors from top universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, and LSE, who will guide you as you learn to think critically, research effectively, and communicate your ideas. Throughout the program, you’ll develop a project that reflects your individual passions, receiving structured support and feedback from your mentor.
5. Acting Tools: Comedy Scenes & Skits
Location: University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago, IL
Cost: $525
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: June 22 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 5 – May 15
Eligibility: Rising 6th-8th graders
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools offers a Summer Lab day-camp program for students in Chicago. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests, develop skills, make new friends, and more. If you’re a student in grades 6-8, you can try the Acting Tools: Comedy Scenes & Skits course. This is a performance-based program designed to help you build confidence and creativity on stage. Through improvisation exercises, character development, and the creation of original comedic scenes, you’ll strengthen essential theatre and collaboration skills in a supportive environment. The program encourages expressive storytelling and comedic timing, helping you refine your performance abilities while having fun.
6. Northwestern University Center for Talent Development (CTD) – Programs for Grades 3-8
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL; Online options available
Cost: Varies by program and course; Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by format and program type
Application Deadline: Varies by program and session
Eligibility: Students in grades 3-8; Eligibility typically based on academic readiness; above-grade-level testing may be recommended or required for certain programs
The Programs for Grades 3-8 at the Northwestern University Center for Talent Development are designed to support academically advanced students during critical primary and middle school years. You can participate in 1-2 week academic day camps, 3-week day or residential summer programs at Northwestern University, or multi-week weekend enrichment courses. CTD also provides talent development services such as above-grade-level assessments and academic pathway consulting to help you identify strengths and plan future learning. These programs aim to nurture curiosity, challenge advanced learners, and support long-term academic growth.
7. Summer@IMSA – STEM Day Camps
Location: IMSA, Aurora, IL
Cost: Varies; Financial assistance available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions
Application Deadline: N/A; First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3-10
Summer@IMSA is a series of week-long, in-person STEM day camps hosted by the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, one of the nation’s top public STEM institutions. The program offers hands-on, inquiry-driven learning experiences aligned with NGSS science and engineering standards. Camp topics vary by grade band and may include engineering design, computer science, data analysis, environmental science, robotics, and applied mathematics. You’ll work collaboratively on real-world challenges while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills in a supportive academic environment.
8. NIU STEAM Camps
Location: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Cost: $100 for early registrants; Limited financial aid offered
Cohort Size: 25 students per camp session
Dates: 1-week camps
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Opens in February
Eligibility: Elementary, middle, and high school students
NIU STEAM Camps are week-long, immersive summer programs hosted by Northern Illinois University that introduce you to hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. You'll spend a full week on a college campus engaging in collaborative projects such as building robots, designing video games, creating films, or conducting original experiments. You’ll learn alongside peers who share similar interests while being mentored by faculty, staff, and trained educators who support intellectual and personal growth. The program also encourages confidence-building, social connection, and early exposure to college life.
9. SAIC Middle School Summer Courses
Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Varies by program
Cohort Size: 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio
Dates: Multiple sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students ages 10-13
The Middle School Summer Program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers a two-week introduction to art and design for those ages 10-13. Guided by professional SAIC faculty, you will explore specialized creative areas such as animation, illustration, fashion, architecture, video game design, drawing, painting, and sculpture. Courses are taught in small groups, fostering close mentorship, collaboration, and individualized feedback. The program emphasizes creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-expression through hands-on studio projects. A distinctive feature of the experience is frequent engagement with the Art Institute of Chicago, where museum visits enrich classroom learning and inspire artistic exploration. The program provides you with a supportive, college-level environment to develop skills, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for art and design.
10. Illinois Tech Summer Programs – From Lab to Life: A Chemistry Career Exploration
Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,000
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students
From Lab to Life: A Chemistry Career Exploration is a two-week, hands-on summer program offered through the Elevate College Prep initiative at Illinois Institute of Technology. The program provides you with a broad introduction to chemistry and its interdisciplinary career pathways through guided experiments, data analysis, and applied projects. You’ll develop foundational lab skills such as conducting chemical reactions, applying the scientific method, and working with analytical instruments and computational tools. Through immersive lab experiences and career-focused exploration, you’ll gain insight into how chemistry drives innovation across science and technology. The program is designed to build confidence, technical skills, and awareness of future academic and professional opportunities in the chemical sciences.
11. AI Gaming & Machine Learning
Location: University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago, IL
Cost: $570
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 20 – 31
Application Deadline: January 5 – May 15
Eligibility: Rising 6th-8th graders
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools presents a Summer Lab day-camp program for students in Chicago. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests, develop new skills, build friendships, and more. As a student in grades 6-8, you can try the AI Gaming & Machine Learning course. It introduces you to artificial intelligence principles through the engaging medium of game design. During the course, you’ll learn how AI powers everyday technologies from robotic vacuums to virtual assistants. You’ll then apply these concepts by building competitive games such as PONG, Platformer, and AI Monster Runner. Throughout the course, you’ll program game characters with AI behaviors, adjust difficulty levels, and integrate machine-learning elements into gameplay.
12. MathCON Summer Camp
Location: Loyola University Water Tower Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,450 (with housing); $2,150 (without housing)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: 7th-12th graders who have registered for the MathCON Online Round
MathCON Summer Camp is a one-week advanced mathematics program that focuses on the exploration of advanced math topics, including number theory, algebraic expressions, geometry, combinatorics, and mathematical problem-solving. As a participant, you will be taught by highly qualified instructors and will be encouraged to approach mathematics through elegant reasoning and new modes of thinking. In addition to academics, the program includes structured enrichment activities such as team bonding events and cultural experiences in Chicago. The curriculum is designed to strengthen skills relevant to major math competitions, particularly the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12 pathways leading toward AIME, USAMO/USAJMO, and ultimately the IMO selection process. Overall, MathCON Summer Camp offers an immersive environment for those seeking to advance their mathematical abilities and engage with a community of like-minded peers.
13. Summer Adventures at Science & Arts Academy
Location: Science & Arts Academy, Des Plaines, IL
Cost: Varies (see rates here)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple 2-week sessions
Application Deadline: Opens January 12 (regular); Opens January 6 (priority)
Eligibility: Middle school students
Summer Adventures at Science & Arts Academy is an enrichment-based day camp designed to nurture intellectual, artistic, physical, social, and emotional growth in young learners. As a participant, you’ll engage in activities that support self-discovery, friendship building, and skill development across multiple domains. The program’s mission is to create a safe, stimulating environment where gifted and curious children can thrive, discover new interests, and enjoy a meaningful summer experience.
14. Field Explorer Summer Camps
Location: Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Cost: $500 per week (non-members & members); Early Bird member: $450; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Around 14 campers per group
Dates: Specific dates vary by grade group
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students entering Kindergarten through Grade 8; Must have an interest in science, nature, and hands-on exploration
Field Explorer Summer Camps are week-long, full-day science camps hosted by the Field Museum, and are designed to immerse you in hands-on scientific discovery. Camp themes and activities are developmentally tailored to specific grade bands, ranging from kindergarten through middle school, ensuring age-appropriate engagement and confidence-building. You’ll investigate topics related to natural history, biology, ecology, and earth science while developing observation, critical thinking, and inquiry skills. Many return year after year to explore new themes and deepen their understanding of the natural world. The program offers a unique opportunity to experience science from the inside of one of the world’s leading natural history museums.
15. Adler Planetarium Teen Opportunities
Location: Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
Cost: Varies by program; Many opportunities are free or stipend-supported (specific details depend on the individual program)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Offered year-round, including in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students
The Teen Opportunities at the Adler Planetarium provide Chicago-area youth with immersive STEAM-focused experiences that blend science exploration, leadership development, and community engagement. Through programs such as Far Horizons Teens, the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), Mission Near Space, and Youth Organization for Lights Out (YOLO), you’ll explore astronomy, space science, climate action, and technology while collaborating with peers and mentors. You’ll engage in hands-on projects, research, public programs, and advocacy initiatives that emphasize real-world impact and civic responsibility. Many programs are designed to help you build professional skills, explore STEM careers, and develop confidence as communicators and change-makers. You’ll also gain access to Adler’s scientific resources, educators, and community partners. Overall, Adler’s Teen Opportunities empower young people to grow as scientists, leaders, and engaged members of their communities while having fun exploring the universe.
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