10 Free Online Courses for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 1
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If you are a middle school student curious about exploring a specific field outside of the classroom in an accessible way, consider an online course. High school programs, internships, and college admissions committees appreciate students who go beyond schoolwork, and earning certifications early on through courses shows initiative and commitment. Online courses not only expand your knowledge but also provide practical experience in a flexible and accessible format, helping you build skills that will strengthen your overall profile and resume!
Additionally, if you are interested in working on a research project or startup, these courses can give you the perfect foundation to get started. You will learn from experts from top universities, gain real-world experience, and earn certifications that validate your skills. Many courses also include hands-on projects, allowing you to apply what you learn by building a coding project, writing a business plan, or conducting a science experiment.
To help you explore new subjects and develop useful skills, here are 10 free online courses designed for middle school students!
10 Free Online Courses for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free ($49 with a certificate)
Dates: 3 weeks (self-paced)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All high school students can apply!Â
The BrownX: Introduction to Engineering and Design course on edX gives students an overview of engineering and the design process. Over three weeks (2-3 hours per week), you'll explore fields like biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, materials, and mechanical engineering with industry experts. These experts share real-world challenges from their fields, helping you understand how engineering works in practice. You'll also take part in a design challenge, where you'll design, build, and test a prototype to solve an actual engineering problem.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free ($149 with a certificate)
Dates: Starts May 28, and ends July 30- 9 [AB4] weeks (self-paced, 14-16 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions once open
Eligibility: Open to all, however high school algebra and a reasonable aptitude for math is required. Students without prior knowledge of programming will likely take a longer time to finish than in the typical estimated time.
The MITx: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python course on edX introduces you to the role of computation in solving real-world problems. Instead of diving deep into one topic, it covers a broad range of concepts using Python 3.5. You'll learn by writing short programs to tackle real-world challenges while exploring algorithms, data structures, and programming principles. Taught by experienced MIT professors, this course helps you build a strong foundation in computer science and problem-solving.Â
3. Hour of Engineering by Siemens
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Ongoing- usually 1 hour, can be more if self-paced
Application Deadline: None, Rolling sign-ups Â
Eligibility: Students in middle school, will need to work with an educator who will sign up for the program
The Hour of Engineering program by Siemens helps you understand what engineering is really about while clearing up common misconceptions. Through interactive activities, you will learn how engineers solve problems, work in teams, and make ethical decisions.
You will explore the engineering design process, learning how to define problems, brainstorm solutions, create prototypes, test ideas, and improve designs. You will also explore ethical decision-making, understanding how engineers prioritize safety, sustainability, and the well-being of society when designing solutions.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free ($199 for a certificate)
Dates: 6 weeks (4-7 hours per week), self-paced
Application Deadline: The new session starts on April 1
Eligibility: Open to all
The BerkeleyX: Entrepreneurship For All (Part I) course on edX, created by UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley insiders, teaches you how to start and grow a business. You will learn how to develop an idea, build a team, attract investors, and launch a product. The course covers both tech and non-tech startups, using real-world examples from experienced entrepreneurs. You will also explore how to secure funding, expand a business, and create something sustainable.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer cohort (July 7- July 25), Fall cohort (August 27 – December 10)
Application Deadline:Â March 20
Eligibility: Open for students in grades 6-7 who reside in and attend school in the U.S.
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a tuition-free program designed for low-income students in grades 6 and 7. It helps students prepare for high school by strengthening their foundation in core subjects. The program includes a three-week online summer course followed by weekly virtual meetings in the fall.Â
The program focuses on math, writing, and research skills. You will explore advanced mathematical concepts, solve complex problems, and develop logical reasoning. In writing, you will learn how to structure arguments, express ideas clearly, and analyze different forms of text. Through discussions and assignments, you will strengthen your ability to think critically and assess information from different perspectives.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: June 2- June 13; July 7- July 18; July 21-August 1; August 4-August 15
Application Deadline:Â March 31
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13-18
Kode With Klossy is a free, two-week coding camp designed for students from traditionally underrepresented genders in STEM. It provides an opportunity to learn foundational coding skills in a supportive environment. You can choose a specialized track, such as web development, mobile app creation, or artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The AI/ML track covers working with data sets and training a chatbot using Python. If you choose web development, you will create and deploy websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If you opt for mobile app development, you will learn how to design and build an app from start to finish. In the AI/ML track, you will explore how machine learning models work and experiment with coding intelligent systems.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free (paid certificate is available, access to assignments only with paid option)
Dates: Starts March 25 (flexible schedule, approximately 14 hours)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, open for enrollment once available
Eligibility: Open to all
How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics on Coursera teaches physics by using everyday objects to explain fundamental concepts. You will explore inertia through skateboards, gravity through falling balls, and motion through bumper cars and seesaws. This approach makes complex principles more relatable and easier to grasp. The course covers Newton’s Laws, the theory of relativity, force, electricity, and motion, connecting them to real-world experiences like transportation and sports.Â
8. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)Â by IBM
Location: Virtual
Cost: FreeÂ
Dates: Starts March 15 (flexible schedule, approximately 12 hours)
Application Deadline: Can enroll once open
Eligibility: Open to all
IBM’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Coursera is designed for beginners looking to understand AI fundamentals and real-world applications. You will learn about machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, and generative AI, exploring how these technologies power innovations in fields like robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing.
The course also introduces AI’s role in business, using IBM’s applications as case studies. You will see how AI is transforming industries and driving decision-making. Ethical considerations and governance are key topics, that help you understand the challenges AI faces today, from bias in algorithms to responsible AI development.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without a certificate
Dates: Starts March 17 (self-paced, approximately 4-6 hours for 6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Can enroll once open
Eligibility: Open to all, no prerequisites
Computer Science 101 by Stanford University on edX introduces beginners to the fundamentals of computer science in a simple and practical way. You will explore how computers process information, learning about hardware, software, the internet, digital security, and media. The course focuses on hands-on learning, encouraging you to experiment with code and understand key computing patterns. You will also learn how data, images, and various digital elements function.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free without a certificate
Dates: Starts March 24 (self-paced, approximately 3-9 hours for 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Can enroll once open
Eligibility: Open to all, no prerequisites
If you want to learn Python, this HarvardX: CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python course on edX is a great place to start. Designed for beginners, it teaches you how to read, write, test, and debug code while applying what you learn through real-world programming challenges.
You will explore functions, arguments, Boolean expressions, loops, debugging, third-party libraries, and data extraction. The course also covers file handling, recursion, data structures like lists and dictionaries, object-oriented programming, and API usage.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure! To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you'd like to take a look at the upcoming cohorts + deadlines, you can refer to this page!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. 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.
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