10 Computer Science Programs+Internships For Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 30 minutes ago
- 8 min read
As technology continues to shape the world around us, getting an early start in computer science can be a game changer for middle school students. Computer science summer programs for middle school students offer an excellent opportunity for young learners to develop practical skills, explore cutting-edge technology, and gain exposure to the tech industry. These programs provide hands-on experiences that can ignite a passion for coding, robotics, and problem-solving, all while helping students understand how these skills might shape their high school and college decisions. By participating in CS summer programs, you can also make valuable connections with like-minded peers and professionals, gaining insights into future career possibilities.
In this blog, we’ve narrowed down a list of 10 standout computer science programs and internships for middle school students that provide exciting opportunities to further your learning and scientific exploration.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an exciting 8-week opportunity designed for middle school students to dive into the world of AI and other academic fields while working on a project of their choice. Throughout this virtual program, you'll work with your mentor and explore different topics. In the first 4 weeks, you'll be introduced to various areas within your chosen track, which could include AI, technology, and other related fields. This gives you the chance to discover what excites you most and start thinking about a project you want to develop further.
As the program progresses, you'll narrow your focus and start working intensively on a specific topic that interests you. Weeks 5 and 6 are dedicated to a deep dive into that area, allowing you to define your project and set goals for the final build. In the final 2 weeks, you’ll get support to bring your project to life, whether it's an AI-driven creation or a tech-based prototype. By the end of the program, you’ll have a high school-level project to showcase, demonstrating your newfound skills and knowledge in AI and related technologies.
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,400 (need-based financial aid is available)
Program dates: Varies for different cohorts
Application deadline: Varies for different cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
In the Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego, you'll get to take part in workshops exploring topics such as CAD and 3D printing, robotics using Lego Mindstorms, and even work with Raspberry Pi. These hands-on experiences allow you to build real-world projects that bring tech concepts to life, from designing 3D models to programming robots.
Throughout the program, you'll be guided by experienced instructors who not only teach technical skills but also serve as role models, showcasing how women in science and technology have made impactful contributions to these fields. As you engage in these interactive projects, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of computer science and its applications.
Location: Virtual or University of California campus, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275-$320
Program dates: July 7 – July 25
Application deadline: May 24
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students
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.\
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,990 (need-based financial aid is available)
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.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes engages interested students in advanced computer science topics, such as C++ and game design. This immersive, live online program engages you in programming fundamentals in one of the most powerful and widely used languages in the tech industry. In this course, you’ll explore key concepts like variables, loops, functions, and arrays, while working on hands-on coding projects that let you put these skills to practice. You’ll also get the chance to build small programs and solve real-world problems, providing a solid foundation for more advanced coding in the future.
What sets this computer science summer program for middle school students apart from the rest is the chance to connect with bright young minds from all over the world. You’ll study alongside peers who share your curiosity and passion for technology, creating a collaborative learning environment where ideas and projects are discussed in real time. Taught by expert instructors, the course encourages both individual exploration and group interaction, making it an engaging way to deepen your understanding of C++ and computer science.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080
Program dates: Session One: June 16 - June 27 | Session Two: July 7 - July 18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11
The ForMIDABLE Program at UC San Diego is a great way for middle school students to engage in the exciting world of computer science, robotics, and engineering. Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Python programming through virtual lessons, where you'll explore coding concepts and develop problem-solving skills. Once the online portion is complete, you’ll transition into workshops where you get to build and program robots.
In addition to coding and robotics, this computer science program gives you access to guest speakers from various STEM fields, so you can hear directly from professionals about their careers as well as ways to pursue your own interests in STEM. As you progress, you'll also have the chance to participate in ongoing mentorship and stay connected to the program even after middle school. The mix of virtual learning, in-person robotics building, and exposure to different STEM careers makes this program an ideal way to find out what excites you most about the tech world!
Location: UC San Diego campus, La Jolla, CA
Cost: No information is available at the moment
Program dates: February 13 – March 29
Application deadline: March 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students
New York University's Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program allows ambitious middle school students to explore how technology can aid in improving cities across the globe. In this fully-funded computer science summer program for middle school students, you'll learn about key topics in engineering, computer science, and technology, such as electronics, circuitry, coding, and microcontrollers. You’ll work in teams to design and build your own projects, using sensors and other hardware to address real-world challenges. Whether it’s improving energy efficiency or creating smarter transportation systems, you’ll gain practical experience in how these technologies can make cities safer, more sustainable, and more efficient.
Throughout the program, you’ll dive deep into important STEM concepts, like how sensors and microcontrollers work, as well as how to write code to bring your projects to life. You’ll also explore how engineers and scientists use these tools to solve problems in urban environments. By the end of the program, you’ll present your project to others, demonstrating how your solution could help improve a real-world issue.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Program dates: July 7 - August 8
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: NYC residents aged at least 12 but not older than 14 by the start of the program are eligible.
The Introduction to Computer Science by Harvard University's CS50x is an ideal way for middle school students to begin their journey into the world of programming and computer science. In this free, self-paced course, you’ll learn a wide range of important topics like algorithms, data structures, and software engineering. You’ll dive into several programming languages such as C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript, plus web development tools like HTML and CSS. The course focuses on teaching you how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently, while also introducing you to concepts like abstraction, security, and resource management that are essential in creating real-world applications.
You’ll also engage with challenging problem sets that are inspired by real-world fields like biology, finance, gaming, and cryptography. You’ll have the chance to apply what you’ve learned through hands-on programming assignments and a final project where you’ll get to showcase your skills. Even if you have no prior experience with coding, this remote computer science program for middle school students is designed to guide you step by step, and you’ll be part of a vibrant community of learners.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free to audit; $219 for a verified certificate
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Open enrolment (rolling)
Eligibility: Open to all
The STEM Academy at Oregon State University provides exciting opportunities for middle school students to dive into the world of technology through on-field lab experiences. One of their programs, Making with Microcontrollers, introduces you to physical computing by using the micro:bit microcontroller. You’ll learn how to program the micro:bit using MakeCode, a beginner-friendly platform that supports both block and JavaScript-based programming. As you progress, you’ll design and build your own physical device that interacts with the environment, giving you a real-world understanding of how devices work.
Another engaging program is Making Arcade Games, where you’ll learn to create your very own video games. Using MakeCode, you’ll design multi-level platformers and top-down arcade games, which allows you to develop coding skills while also bringing your game ideas to life. This program doesn’t require previous experience in game development, so it’s a perfect way to get started if you’ve always wanted to make your own games. By the program's conclusion, you’ll have not only gained coding skills but also developed a deeper understanding of how games are structured, from programming mechanics to creating a playable experience!
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cost: $170
Program dates: July 14-18 (for both programs)
Application deadline: Applications will open on February 17.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
UC Berkeley’s Introduction to Computers and Programming offers middle school students a deep dive into the world of computers and coding. Using the Raspberry Pi, you’ll learn how computers represent information and process it using binary. As you explore Python programming, you’ll create your own simple applications, but that’s just the start. This advanced computer science summer program for middle school students is packed with exciting topics that will shape your understanding of how technology works!
You’ll also dive into the physical side of computing, setting up a Raspberry Pi, building basic circuits, and even controlling them using the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins. Along the way, you’ll explore how hardware and software come together to power everything from personal computers to mobile devices. You’ll learn about the role of transistors in computers, get hands-on experience with circuits, and explore everything from operating systems to computer graphics - as well as touch on areas like AI and robotics, which are shaping the future of computing.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $995
Program dates: Self-paced, but students must complete the course within 180 days upon enrolment
Application deadline: Open enrolment
Eligibility: Open to everyone with basic computer literacy
StanfordOnline’s Computer Science 101 is a beginner-friendly, self-paced course offered by Stanford School of Engineering that’s ideal for students interested in understanding how computers work. If you’ve ever wondered how hardware, software, and the internet all come together, this course will break it down for you in simple terms. You’ll get hands-on experience with basic coding directly in your web browser - no downloads required - and explore the core ideas behind computers, like how they store and process data. You’ll learn what bits, bytes, and digital media are, and how computer systems use these to work efficiently.
As you progress through the course, you'll discover key topics such as computer code, loops, and logic, while also learning about bigger concepts like abstraction, the internet’s structure, and computer security. You’ll explore how images and videos are represented digitally and how the internet connects everything from your computer to websites. With no prior experience needed, this computer science program for middle school students is a great introduction to the fascinating world of computing and provides a solid foundation that can help you dive deeper into more advanced topics in the future.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free with an optional verified certificate available for $249
Program dates: Self-paced (approximately 6 weeks)
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all
Image Source - Stanford Logo
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.