10 Engineering Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Are you a middle school student looking to make the most of your summer?
Engineering summer camps offer a fantastic way to dive into subjects that fascinate you while having fun in the process.
From STEM subjects to design, these camps go beyond the traditional classroom setting, offering hands-on learning, critical thinking, and collaboration in a creative and engaging environment. Whether you're new to STEM or already passionate about engineering, these programs help you build valuable skills, boost your confidence, and give you a head start in fields you may wish to explore further in the future.
Immersing yourself in a subject of interest not only enhances your knowledge but also helps you make informed decisions about your high school courses and extracurricular activities. A focused camp experience also stands out on college applications, showcasing your commitment to a particular field like engineering.
Ready to get started? Here are 10 engineering summer camps designed for middle school students!
Location: SMU Lyle School of Engineering, Texas
Cost: $600
Dates:
Boys-only camp: June 3 - 7, 2024
Girls-only camp: June 10 - 14, 2024
Boys/Girls camp: June 17 - July 21, 2024
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th grade students can apply.
SMU Lyle School of Engineering offers an immersive 5-day residential summer camp for middle school students. You'll dive into different fields such as electrical, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering, along with computer science basics. Through hands-on projects and activities, you'll gain practical experience and start understanding how engineers solve real-world problems.
With an intake of just 20 students annually, the camp offers close interaction with faculty, making it a fantastic opportunity to explore your interests in a focused setting. Best of all, prior STEM experience isn't necessary, so it’s a great starting point for anyone eager to begin their journey into engineering.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990 (Financial Aid is available)
Dates: 8 weeks with four cohorts through the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter sessions)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohorts
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8 can apply.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week program designed for middle school students to engage one-on-one with a mentor, allowing them to delve into their academic interests and develop a project they are passionate about. Whether you're fascinated by engineering, science, or any other STEM field, this fully virtual 8-week program offers a unique chance to explore your passions under the guidance of experts from institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale.
The program, which is rigorous and fully virtual, was established by Harvard alumni. Need-based financial aid is available for eligible students. You can explore different fields within STEM and Engineering while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. During this program, you will build your project and prepare for your further academic path. For more information, please refer to the application in this brochure!
Location: American University, Washington, DC, and University of California Berkely, San Franciso, CA
Cost: Residential: $2,795 | Commuter: $2,395
Dates:
American University:
Session 1: July 8 - July 13, 2024
Session 2: July 16 - July 21, 2024
University of California, Berkeley:
Session 1: June 17 - June 22, 2024
Session 2: June 26 - July 1, 2024
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until seats are filled.
Eligibility: Middle school students interested in STEM and engineering can apply.
This is a 6-day summer program designed to immerse middle school students in the world of engineering. Held at prestigious campuses such as American University and UC Berkeley, this program combines hands-on activities, leadership training, and interactive workshops to give students a glimpse into various engineering disciplines.
Throughout the camp, students will participate in hands-on simulations in aerospace, biotechnology, and robotics, giving them a glimpse into the various educational paths available in high school and beyond. Activities like building model rockets, designing wind turbines, and constructing bridges, alongside programming workshops, provide practical experience and develop essential skills for a future in engineering.
Through these activities, participants also learn valuable leadership skills, equipping them with the tools they need for success in both their academic and personal lives. If you’re interested in learning more about NSLC, you can look at our blog, which covers NSLC in depth!
Location: Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond Campus, IN
Cost: $350
Dates: June 10 - June 13, 2024
Application Deadline: May 2024
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 to 8 can apply.
Purdue University Northwest offers a dynamic and immersive experience for middle school students interested in exploring mechanical and civil engineering. Located on Purdue’s Hammond campus, this 3-day camp introduces participants to real-world engineering concepts across mechanical and civil engineering fields through interactive lab sessions and classroom activities.
Throughout the camp, students will dive into practical engineering topics such as 3D printing, renewable energy, bridge and road design, virtual reality, and electric cars. You’ll also engage in hands-on projects like constructing a balsa wood bridge, building a wind tunnel, and assembling an electric vehicle (EV) go-kart. Each day provides a new challenge, ensuring you gain a well-rounded understanding of engineering while honing critical skills like problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork.
You will receive a camp certificate at the end of the camp to commemorate your achievements and experiences.
Location: North Carolina State University campus, NC
Cost: $500 for a week of camp (including daily lunch). Need-based financial aid is available.
Dates:
Imagine Engineering Camp I: July 8 - July 12, 2024
Imagine Engineering Camp II: July 15 - July 19, 2024
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024
Eligibility: Rising 6 to 8 graders are eligible to apply.
The Imagine Engineering Camp at North Carolina State University offers an engaging and collaborative environment where students will explore how engineers contribute to society. Through hands-on investigations and creative design challenges, you will gain a unique insight into the engineering design process. Each activity is designed to inspire curiosity and critical thinking, allowing students to experience the real-world applications of engineering principles.
During the camp, you’ll work on a variety of exciting projects, such as designing earthquake-proof bridges, building solar-powered boats, and programming with SNAP. The activities are not only fun but also educational, helping you understand the engineering design process and the real-world applications of the concepts you learn. Additionally, you'll get to explore different engineering disciplines, from civil and mechanical to electrical and environmental engineering, providing a comprehensive introduction to the field.
Location: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Cost: $500 (Scholarships are available)
Dates: June 17 – June 21, 2024
Application Deadline: April 2024
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 12 and 14 or rising 7th - 9th graders are eligible to apply.
Colorado State University's Engineering Your World Summer Program offers middle school students an engaging, week-long experience on the CSU campus. The program will delve into the different STEM fields and enable students to explore CSU’s cutting-edge mechanical engineering laboratories, including its advanced 3-D printing facility.
Throughout the week, you’ll tackle challenges across five key engineering fields: mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, and chemical engineering. The program includes ten hands-on activities, such as building a Mars rover egg-lander, designing a saltwater circuit, constructing a swamp cooler, and creating an artificial bicep. You'll also engage in fun and educational tasks like crafting slime, testing sunscreen, and building bridges out of spaghetti. These projects are designed to spark creativity and enhance critical thinking, time management, and teamwork skills.
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $600. Scholarships are available.
Dates: Session 1: June 24 – June 28, 2024 | Session 2: July 8 – 12, 2024
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024
Eligibility: Rising grade 6-8 students living in the San Francisco Bay Area can apply.
University of California, Berkeley’s Girls in Engineering Program is a week-long summer camp designed to inspire middle school girls to explore the world of STEM by introducing them to engineering and design. Recognizing the gender gap in these fields, UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering created this outreach program to empower young girls and ignite their passion for engineering.
Throughout the camp, participants engage in hands-on activities such as wiring paper circuits with LEDs, building origami robots, designing water filters, and creating accessible products for people with disabilities. These projects not only teach engineering principles but also encourage creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Led by Berkeley faculty, industry engineers, and student camp counselors, the program emphasizes three core areas: Engineering Leadership, Design Innovation, and Learning in Context. Campers develop communication and teamwork skills, tackle design projects in collaborative groups, and participate in lab demonstrations and tours. The program encourages students from underrepresented and low socio-economic backgrounds to apply, offering them a unique opportunity to explore engineering in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Location: UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: August 5 - 9, 2024
Application Deadline: June 2024
Eligibility: Western New York students entering grades 6-7 are eligible to attend.
National Grid Young Innovators Engineering Camp at the University at Buffalo is a five-day program designed to ignite students' creativity and passion for engineering. This camp offers participants the opportunity to explore the world of engineering alongside university students and staff members, providing a glimpse into the field while honing essential skills.
Throughout the camp, participants will work alongside university students and staff to tackle engineering challenges that demonstrate how science and technology intersect with everyday life. Whether you're building bridges, designing simple machines, or experimenting with electrical circuits, the camp emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. The goal is to help students understand how engineering principles can be applied to real-world scenarios, all while fostering a sense of innovation and curiosity.
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cost: $320 (need-based scholarships are available)
Dates: June 24 - 28, 2024
Application Deadline: April 2024
Eligibility: Rising grade 6-8 students are eligible to apply.
Oregon State University’s STEM Academy offers a week-long Engineering Camp designed to introduce middle school students to the exciting world of engineering through hands-on projects and interactive learning. This camp provides a well-rounded experience that allows students to explore various engineering disciplines, develop problem-solving skills, and foster creativity.
Participants will engage in projects such as building solar cars, experimenting with chromatography, designing chemical reaction cars, reverse engineering, working with super absorbent polymers, 3D design and printing, and tackling K'NEX building challenges. These activities are crafted to introduce campers to the powerful tools of engineering design, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The camp is structured to give students a taste of what it’s like to be an engineer, with each activity designed to build on previous knowledge and skills. By the end of the week, students will have a deeper appreciation for engineering and a newfound confidence in their ability to tackle complex problems.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 24 - June 28, 2024
Application Deadline: April 2024
Eligibility: Rising 8th graders are eligible to apply.
Carnegie Mellon University’s Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) is a week-long program designed for rising 8th through 11th graders with a strong interest in math and science. This immersive summer experience offers students a hands-on introduction to various engineering disciplines, emphasizing the concepts of design and innovation.
During SEE, students will dive into two key engineering projects that challenge their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork skills. The first project is a group assignment that spans the entire week, allowing students to collaborate and learn the importance of working together to solve complex problems. The second project is completed in smaller groups, giving students the chance to take on leadership roles and explore their interests in specific areas of engineering.
In addition to the hands-on projects, students will attend educational presentations that introduce them to various engineering disciplines and the role engineers play in society. This experience is designed to build confidence, inspire interest in STEM fields, and provide a strong foundation for future academic pursuits in engineering.
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.