10 Biology Summer Programs for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student, exploring biology at a young age can spark a lifelong passion for science. Biology summer programs for middle school students is a great opportunity to chase your passion. These programs offer hands-on learning, mentorship, and exposure to real-world applications of biological sciences. Whether through laboratory experiments, fieldwork, or virtual projects, you can gain practical skills and foundational knowledge. This helps in shaping your academic and career paths.
Summer program provides you with an opportunity to explore topics like genetics, ecology, and microbiology while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These experiences also provide valuable networking opportunities with peers and professionals in the field. To help you find the best fit, we have compiled a list of 10 biology summer programs for middle school students, prioritizing selective and fully funded options.
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,400 (Need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter)
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8) with a strong academic
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) is a research experience for middle school students in biology, medicine, and public health. You will collaborate with PhD mentors from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale to develop custom research projects based on your interests.
JEP emphasizes critical thinking, independent research, and problem-solving skills, preparing you for competitions and future academic research. This program offers valuable mentorship from leading academics, providing hands-on experience and personalized project development in your choice of field.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $200 with additional course fees that are currently unspecified
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions for Summer and Fall
Program Dates: Virtual Camps organized throughout the year during school breaks and holidays every Saturday (2 to 5 pm)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in learning AP-Biology
The UT Dallas Biology Camps is a virtual learning experience for middle and high school students, focusing on AP Biology and general biology topics. It's organized by the Department of Biological Sciences. These camps are organized throughout the year during school breaks and holidays every Saturday (2 to 5 pm), offering you a flexible way to learn in-depth about biology.
The AP Biology camps help you excel in advanced coursework and standardized exams by providing rigorous academic content and hands-on experiences in a virtual setting. These camps are ideal for you if you are currently enrolled in or planning to take AP Biology.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990 (Need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates:
Spring cohort: 25 hours over 10 weekends
Summer cohort: 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays only)
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8), no prior experience required
The Veritas AI Trailblazers Program is a virtual AI course designed for middle school students eager to explore the world of artificial intelligence and machine learning in biology. Over 25 hours, you’ll learn Python programming, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.
With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you’ll receive personalized guidance throughout the program. You will apply your knowledge through hands-on projects, such as building machine-learning models for music classification and developing AI-based recommendation systems. This program offers an engaging introduction to AI, making it a perfect entry point for students interested in coding and machine learning for scientific use.
Location: Port Townsend, WA
Cost:$3,200 per day for up to 24 participants. Includes meals and lodging
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Offered throughout the year, varying by program
Eligibility: 5th grade and up, up to 24 participants
The Sound Exploration Overnight Voyages offer a deep dive into tall ship sailing, navigation, marine biology, community building, and maritime history. These overnight programs provide an experience in the maritime world.
You will sail on tall ships, explore marine ecosystems, and engage in team-building activities, all while learning about the rich history of sailing. The program offers three themed options Emerging Issues in the Salish Sea, Marine Trades and Marine Ecology. Additional activities include standing anchor watch, shipboard stewardship, climbing the main mast, rowing the small boat, Shore Hike (for trips of 4 or more days), Beach Clean Up/Restoration Project (for trips of 4 or more days)
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $850
Application Deadline: May 2
Program Dates: June 2 - 27
Eligibility: Rising 5th–8th graders
The MSM STEAM Academy is a four-week program that blends technology, health science, and biology through hands-on learning. You'll explore topics such as mobile app development, healthcare innovations, and human anatomy through interactive lessons. Projects may include designing health-focused apps and applying technology to real-world medical challenges.
The curriculum integrates academic concepts with themed programming in engineering, health, and wellness while fostering extracurricular interests. This inquiry-based program enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific exploration, helping students develop both academically and personally.
Location: Stanford University, UCLA and online
Cost: Varies based on program selected, $1,085 to $2,985
Application Deadline: From $1,085 to $2,985
Program Dates:
Stanford University: July 13 - July 18
Online: July 14 - July 18
UCLA: July 20 - July 25
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Genetics Summer Camp provides an in-depth exploration of genetics, emphasizing the Central Dogma of Biology (DNA → RNA → Protein) and how genetic information is inherited. The program covers molecular genetics, heritable diseases, and genomics, providing a comprehensive understanding of how traits are passed down through generations.
A key highlight of the camp is the opportunity to present at the EU Genetics Conference, where you'll take on the role of a researcher. You'll present on a heritable disease to an audience of peers and families, simulating a real scientific conference experience. This hands-on approach allows you to apply your learning in a practical, engaging way while developing communication and research skills.
Location: Cummings Research Park, Huntsville, AL
Cost: $200
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 19
Program Dates:
June 2 – June 6, from 1 to 4 pm
June 9 – June 13, from 9am to noon
June 23 – June 27, from 9am to noon
July 7 – July 11, from 1 to 4pm
Eligibility: Rising 6th through 8th graders
HudsonAlpha’s Biotechnology Summer Camps introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of biotech through hands-on activities in a professional lab setting. The Code of Life camp focuses on DNA science, offering experiments like DNA extraction, genetic engineering, and enzyme studies. One of the camp’s highlights is the creation of glow-in-the-dark bacteria, demonstrating how DNA influences physical traits.
You gain experience using lab equipment such as micropipettes and centrifuges. After completing this camp, you can advance to more specialized programs like I Want to Work in a Lab Coat and The Secret Lab, making it an excellent starting point for aspiring young scientists.
Location: Online, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, and University College London
Program Dates:
UC Berkeley: June 1 - 14 and June 15 - 28
UC San Diego: July 6 - 19
Columbia University: July 20 - August 2
University College London: August 4 - 16
Cost: $3,680 (Residential) | $2,280 (Commuter)
Eligibility: Middle school students ages 14-18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
The Rosetta Institute Biomedical Summer Camps provide high-achieving middle and high school students with experience in medicine and biomedical research. It is hosted at top universities like UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, and University College of London. These camps offer advanced instruction in molecular biology of cancer, molecular neuroscience, molecular biology of aging, bioinformatics of cancer, molecular immunology, neurologic bioinformatics, immunologic bioinformatics, and ai-enhanced bioinformatics.
You can conduct hands-on lab practicals, attend lectures by PhD-level instructors, and produce original research projects. For additional flexibility, online courses are available in topics such as cellular and molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and medical bioinformatics. With a focus on experimental design and modern biomedical tools, this program prepares you for future studies and careers in science.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Application Deadline: TBD
Cost: $175 – $450 per course (scholarships available)
Program Dates: July 7 - July 25
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Inspired by Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, the Sally Ride Science Academy offers a range of STEM workshops, including biology, biotechnology, environmental science, and data science. It is led by experienced educators and scientists. These interactive courses encourage critical thinking, teamwork, and hands-on learning.
The workshops are three hours long, allowing you to customize your learning experience by enrolling in multiple courses. Both in-person and online options are available. For example, those interested in pharmaceutical sciences can take the Middle School: A Dose of Pharmacreations course in July, a week-long session exploring medicine formulation and drug development.
Location: Seal Harbor, Maine
Application Deadline: Applications reopen in October for the following summer
Cost: $3,200 for a two-week session
Program Dates: June 22 - July 4 and August 3- August 15
Eligibility: Students ages 12–15
The Intermediate Marine Science Camp Program offers a comprehensive exploration of marine biology and oceanography, combining fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and hands-on projects. Over two weeks, you will set up and maintain saltwater tanks, study tidal pools and marine biodiversity, compare salt marsh and bog ecosystems, and analyze island geology and aquatic zonation patterns.
This program introduces essential marine science concepts and research techniques, serving as a stepping stone for advanced study. This experience is good for you if you want to deepen your understanding of marine ecosystems and gain practical skills in scientific observation and analysis.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Stanford University