15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in New York State

If you are a middle schooler looking to explore your academic interests, summer programs are a strong option for building confidence and practical skills. In these programs, you complete structured projects and explore advanced topics, with experienced mentors guiding you through each step. Programs cover a wide range of subjects, including medicine, computer science, engineering, business, the arts, and the sciences, helping you discover what truly excites you. 

Why should you attend a program in New York State?

New York State is home to numerous universities, research institutions, and educational organizations that host summer programs for middle school students. You may have the chance to attend classes on college campuses, participate in lab-based sessions, or study specialized subjects with instructors who are experienced in teaching advanced material to younger students. These programs benefit both local and out-of-state students interested in experiencing the state’s academic environment. 

With that in mind, we’ve selected 15  summer programs for middle school students in New York State that offer meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences.

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

1. NYU Sounds of New York City (SONYC)

Location: New York University + Other institutions in NYC
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: May 15 (rolling)
Eligibility: Rising 7th-8th graders who are NYC residents

The SONYC program allows middle school students to explore how sound works in everyday urban environments, with a focus on New York City. The program takes a hands-on approach to understanding noise pollution, examining it from both scientific and public health perspectives. You work with microcontrollers, sensors, and basic electronics to design and build devices that measure sound levels in real-world environments. As the program progresses, you learn about sound-wave behavior, gather and interpret data, and examine how noise affects health and quality of life. The program concludes with a group presentation in which you share solutions to urban noise challenges, combining technical work with creative thinking to address real issues in the city.

2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort | 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort; dates vary
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can check details and apply here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

Veritas AI's AI Trailblazers program is a virtual course that introduces middle school students to the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over approximately 25 hours of instruction, you learn foundational Python skills and cover topics including data analysis, regression methods, image classification, neural networks, and ethical considerations in AI. Lessons combine lectures and small-group sessions, with a low student-to-mentor ratio that allows for regular feedback. You apply what you learn by completing an AI-related project that emphasizes practical problem-solving. Past projects have included developing models to sort music by genre and designing systems to recommend educational content based on user-defined criteria.

3. NYU’s Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)

Location: Andries Hudde Junior High — IS 240 or STAR Early College School in Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th- and 8th-grade students from NYC, ages 12–14

NYU’s SoSC program introduces middle school students to the intersection of engineering, computer science, and environmental science in urban environments. Over four weeks, you will study core topics including basic electronics, circuits, coding, sensors, and microcontrollers. You then apply these skills by working in teams to design projects that address common urban challenges. The program includes hands-on experimentation with hardware and lessons on how urban systems operate. You also prepare a final presentation that explains your project’s goals, design process, and outcomes. Alongside the technical work, theatre-based lessons led by Irondale help you polish your collaboration, communication, and public speaking skills. 

4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is designed for middle school students seeking guided support as they explore an academic subject of interest. You work individually with a mentor to learn how projects are developed, from early ideas to focused research. At the start of the program, you explore several subtopics within your selected track to gain a general understanding of the field. As the program progresses,  you narrow your focus to one area and develop a research question with support from your mentor, who has an academic background at institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, or Yale. The program concludes with you completing a research project that demonstrates your understanding of the topic and the skills you have developed throughout the process.

5. BEAM Pathway Summer Program

Location: Upstate New York
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6  –  August 7 for 6th graders; July 5  –  26 for 7th graders
Application Deadline: January-March
Eligibility: New York City 7th graders from underserved communities and low-income backgrounds

The BEAM Pathway Summer Program is a three-week residential summer program for middle school students in New York City that allows them to live on a college campus while studying advanced mathematics. Each day includes several hours of math-focused learning through classes, collaborative problem-solving, and structured study time. Course topics may include number theory, logic, astrophysics, and computer programming. Faculty members and counselors live on campus, providing academic guidance and support with daily routines. Beyond coursework, you participate in a range of activities, including sports, creative projects, board games, and optional sessions such as poetry or math-based art. Weekends feature organized trips and campus events, offering opportunities to relax and connect with peers alongside the academic schedule.

6. NYU’s College and Career Lab (CCL)

Location: NYU, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 215 students
Dates: Exploratory Program: July 6 – 31, with Saturday Practice Lab sessions once a month in the Fall (September, October, November) and Spring (January, February, March) semesters; program orientation: June 30
Application Deadline: March 31; applications open on January 15
Eligibility: Current 7th or 8th graders living in and attending a public or charter school in one of NYC’s five boroughs

NYU’s College and Career Lab (CCL) program is a tuition-free, long-term initiative that introduces middle school students in New York City to different academic fields and career options through summer sessions and ongoing Practice Labs. As a middle school student, you start in the Exploratory Stage, where you rotate through subjects such as business, law, the arts, neuroscience, health sciences, and public service. This stage includes hands-on activities, small-group discussions, and the development of foundational skills. When you move into high school, you continue into the Immersive Stage, which focuses on one area of interest you explored earlier. At that point, you participate in college-style classes, group projects, and visits to professional environments, such as labs, clinics, or workplaces. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship from NYC-based faculty and attend Saturday Practice Labs that help you develop communication skills, self-advocacy, and preparation for future academic and career paths.

7. Columbia University’s State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP)

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: New York State residents enrolled in grades 7–12; applicants must be economically disadvantaged and/or in need of, or would greatly benefit from, academic enrichment or support in the STEM areas (check income eligibility criteria here)

Columbia University’s S-PREP program introduces middle school students in New York State to medical and STEM subjects while building strong academic foundations. Supported by New York State’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) initiative, the program focuses on structured learning, consistent academic support, and preparation for advanced coursework. You study a range of subjects, including anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, psychology, algebra, geometry, calculus, and other STEM areas. In addition to regular instruction, you receive PSAT and SAT preparation during both the summer and the academic year. The program also helps you explore career paths in medicine and STEM, along with guidance on academic steps that may support those interests.

8. 4-H Programs

Location: Various locations nationwide
Cost: Typically low or no cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; club sizes vary by county
Dates: Available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling (sign up at your local 4-H office)
Eligibility: Students ages 8–18

4-H programs connect middle school students, including those in New York State, with hands-on learning through locally run clubs supported by universities. You join a community group that meets regularly throughout the school year, allowing time to develop projects over several months. With guidance from trained volunteers and mentors, you might work on activities such as robotics, animal science, environmental studies, or public speaking. Clubs are structured to offer flexibility, so you can focus on topics that align with your interests. Many projects are shared at local or state events, such as fairs or showcases, where you present your work to a broader audience.

9. The CCNY STEM Institute — The City College of New York

Location: CCNY campus
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12 who reside or attend school within the five boroughs of New York City

The STEM Institute at CCNY offers a wide range of course options for middle school students in New York State, including robotics, game design, general chemistry, and financial literacy. Each course combines instructions with hands-on projects that help you apply ideas to practical situations. You receive guidance from both an instructor and a teaching assistant as you work on research-based assignments and collaborative activities. The program concludes with a symposium where you present your completed project. The summer program aligns with state learning standards and encourages you to explore STEM and arts-related topics.

10. Stony Brook University: Middle School Math Program

Location: Stony Brook University
Cost: $375
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: July 21 – 24 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–9 in September

This summer program at Stony Brook University allows middle school students in New York State to explore math in a challenging, hands-on way. The curriculum covers topics including algebra, geometry, rational numbers, statistics, and probability, with a focus on activities and problem-solving that connect concepts to real-world applications. As students progress, the curriculum expands to include functions, factoring, and other algebra skills that help them build a strong foundation for high school mathematics. Classes focus on inquiry, collaboration, and persistence, especially for students who are preparing for or currently enrolled in Algebra.

11. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Middle School Summer Workshops

Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY
Cost: $470; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 16
Application Deadline: June 10; applications open on February 4
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)’s Middle School Summer Workshops allow you to explore creative subjects through short, focused courses at FIT’s New York City campus. You can choose either a morning or afternoon workshop, or combine both for a full day of instruction. Depending on the summer program offerings, you might study subjects such as fashion design, illustration, sneaker design, photography, computer graphics, or other creative areas. Instructors guide you as you practice techniques, experiment with materials, and develop work for your creative portfolio. The program also includes sessions that provide information about the FIT admissions process and explain what it’s like to study at an art and design college.

12. Stony Brook University: Science Exploration Program

Location: Stony Brook University
Cost: $675
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: June 30  –  July 10 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9 in September

This science summer program offers a lab-based learning environment for middle school students in New York State, where you explore topics such as biology, chemistry, microbiology, ecology, and biotechnology, depending on your grade level. Each session combines reading, writing, online research, and collaborative activities to help you connect real-world experiments with broader scientific concepts. If you are entering 7th grade, you focus on building laboratory skills through guided exercises. Eighth-grade students work with case studies in areas such as environmental chemistry and genetics, while ninth graders take on more independent research in subjects such as molecular biology. Throughout the program, you develop scientific reasoning by forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and sharing your results with peers.

13. American Museum of Natural History — Science Alliance Middle School Program

Location: New York City
Cost: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by session; Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Local students in grades 6–8

The Science Alliance program at the American Museum of Natural History allows middle school students in New York State to explore subjects such as anthropology, astrophysics, evolutionary biology, Earth science, and conservation through hands-on learning. Classes are held after school on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays, so you can participate without affecting your regular school schedule. During the program, you carry out investigations in museum classrooms, work with real specimens, and use museum exhibits as part of your learning. Some sessions focus on developing ideas for science fair projects, while others focus on how scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data. In the summer, a separate four-week academy introduces a different scientific topic each week, offering a broad look at multiple areas of science.

14. New York Tech Middle School Summer Maker Academy

Location: New York Tech’s Long Island campus or New York City campus
Cost: $250/program or session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: May 6; Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8

The New York Tech Middle School Summer Maker Academy at New York Institute of Technology introduces you to engineering and design through two weeklong tracks focused on global sustainability challenges. In the clean water and sanitation track, you work in teams to design a vehicle that can transport water across an obstacle course. The sustainable cities track guides you through creating small-scale structures that combine to form a functional “Smart City.” Both tracks are grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and teach practical skills, including 3D modeling, 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, PCB design, and Arduino programming. Throughout the program, you work closely with instructors to develop and refine prototypes that turn sustainability concepts into physical models.

15. Bard Math CAMP

Location: Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Cost: $500; Need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8

Bard Math CAMP is a summer program for middle school students in New York State interested in exploring mathematics beyond the standard school curriculum. During the camp, you work on topics such as logic puzzles, combinatorics, and connections between math and art. The program is held on the Bard College campus and led by educators and undergraduate math students. You participate in group activities, problem-solving sessions, and conversations that encourage new ways of thinking about math. The program focuses on building collaboration, giving you the space to test ideas, ask questions, and learn alongside other students.