Top 10 Biology Summer Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student, exploring biology early can ignite a lifelong passion for science. Biology summer programs for middle school students offer the opportunity to dive into this field through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world applications of biological sciences. Whether through lab experiments, fieldwork, or virtual projects, you’ll gain practical skills and foundational knowledge that can shape your academic and career journey.
These summer programs let you explore topics like genetics, ecology, marine biology, and microbiology while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also offer valuable networking opportunities with like-minded peers and professionals in the field. Check our list of top 10 biology summer programs for middle school students.
1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program - Biology Track
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Summer Cohort II: June 23.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 8 weeks. Summer Cohort II start date: July 14.
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8) with a strong academic background are eligible to apply.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is an advanced research experience tailored for middle school students interested in biology, medicine, and public health. You will collaborate with PhD mentors from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale to develop independent research projects based on your interests.
This program emphasizes critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and independent research, preparing you for academic competitions and future research opportunities. With expert mentorship and hands-on project development, JEP offers a personalized learning experience that nurtures young scientists' curiosity and analytical skills.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program Dates: 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays).
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
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 projects done by students 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. UT Dallas - Biology Camps for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $200.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program Dates: Held throughout the year, including summer, during school breaks and holidays.
Eligibility: Middle school students interested in AP Biology are eligible to apply.
The UT Dallas Biology Camps offer a flexible virtual learning experience for middle school students interested in AP Biology and general biology topics. These camps provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding of cell biology, genetics, ecology, and physiology.
The AP Biology-focused camps are especially helpful for students currently enrolled in or planning to take AP Biology, as they cover rigorous academic content and test-prep strategies. The program helps you gain hands-on experience in a structured, engaging format that enhances your scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills.
4. Sound Exploration Overnight Voyages
Location: Port Townsend, WA.
Cost: $3,200 per day.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 3 to 7 days.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
The Sound Exploration Overnight Voyages offer an immersive experience to middle school students in marine biology, tall ship sailing, navigation, community building, and maritime history. During these overnight programs, you’ll sail aboard tall ships, explore diverse marine ecosystems, and take part in hands-on team-building activities.
The program features three themed tracks: Emerging Issues in the Salish Sea, Marine Trades, and Marine Ecology. Additional activities include standing anchor watch, shipboard stewardship, climbing the main mast, rowing a small boat, and shoreline hikes and beach clean-up or restoration projects.
5. Morehouse School of Medicine S.T.E.A.M. Academy Summer Program
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Cost: $850.
Application Deadline: May 2.
Program Dates: June 2 – June 27.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
The MSM S.T.E.A.M. Academy is a four-week summer program that blends biology, health science, and technology through hands-on learning. You will explore a variety of STEM topics, including mobile app development, healthcare innovations, and human anatomy.
This inquiry-based program fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific exploration, helping you develop academically while engaging in innovative and creative projects. The curriculum encourages you to apply technology to medical science, making it a unique and interdisciplinary learning experience for young scientists.
6. Genetics Summer Camp
Location: Virtual or in-person at Stanford University and University of California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Ranges between $1,085 – $2,985 depending on the location.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program Dates: Virtual: July 14 – July 18 | Stanford University: July 13 – July 18 | UCLA: July 20 – July 25.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
The Genetics Summer Camp provides an in-depth exploration of genetics and genomics, focusing on the Central Dogma of Biology and how genetic information is inherited. You will study topics such as molecular genetics, heritable diseases, and DNA sequencing, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how traits are passed down through generations.
A highlight of the program is the opportunity to present at the EU Genetics Conference, where you will take on the role of researchers and present your findings on a heritable disease to peers and families.
7. Middle School Biotech Camps – Code of Life
Location: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL.
Cost: $200. Limited scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Applications open on March 19 and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: June 2 – 6, from 1 to 4 PM | June 9 – 13, from 9 AM to 12 PM | June 23 – 27, from 9 AM to 12 PM | July 7 – 11, from 1 to 4 PM.
Eligibility: Rising 6th through rising 8th graders are eligible to apply.
HudsonAlpha’s Biotechnology Summer Camps introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of biotech and DNA science. The Code of Life camp features hands-on lab activities such as DNA extraction, genetic engineering, and enzyme studies, allowing you to explore the building blocks of life in a real laboratory setting.
A standout experiment is the creation of glow-in-the-dark bacteria, demonstrating how DNA influences physical traits. You will also gain experience using advanced lab equipment like micropipettes and centrifuges.
8. Biomedical Camps - Rosetta Institute
Location: Virtual or in-person at University of California, Berkeley, University of California, San Diego, and Columbia University.
Cost: Residential: $3,680 | Commuter: $2,280 | Virtual: Ranges between $510 - $1070. Limited full and partial scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program Dates: Varies depending on the location and program.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11 - 14 are eligible to apply.
The Rosetta Institute Biomedical Summer Camps offer high-achieving middle school students an immersive experience in medicine and biomedical research. Hosted at leading universities, these camps provide advanced instruction in molecular biology, neuroscience, cancer biology, immunology, and bioinformatics.
You will engage in hands-on lab practicals, research projects, and lectures led by PhD-level instructors. The program emphasizes experimental design, modern biomedical tools, and independent research.
9. Sally Ride Science Academy - University of California, San Diego
Location: Virtual or in-person at University of California, San Diego, CA.
Cost: Ranges between $175 – $320 per course. Need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. Scholarships Deadline: May 24.
Program Dates: July 7 – July 25.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to participate.
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers a variety of STEM workshops, including biology, biotechnology, environmental science, and data science. Led by experienced educators and scientists, these interactive courses emphasize critical thinking, teamwork, and hands-on learning.
Each three-hour workshop allows you to customize your experience by enrolling in multiple courses, with in-person, online, and hybrid options available. The academy provides a flexible and engaging learning environment for students eager to explore STEM fields.
10. Intermediate Marine Science Camp Program
Location: Seal Harbor, ME.
Cost: $3,200.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Program Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 4 | Session II: August 3 – August 15.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12–14 years are eligible to apply.
The Intermediate Marine Science Camp is a two-week biology summer program for middle school students that combines marine biology, oceanography, and hands-on environmental research. You will participate in fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and interactive projects to deepen your understanding of marine ecosystems.
Key activities include setting up and maintaining saltwater tanks, exploring tidal pools and marine biodiversity, comparing salt marsh and bog ecosystems, and analyzing island geology and aquatic zonation patterns. This program introduces essential marine science concepts and research techniques, helping you develop practical skills in scientific observation and ecological analysis.
Image Source - UT Dallas Logo