10 Online STEM Programs for Middle School Students in 2024-25
Middle school is the perfect time to begin exploring interests, and applying for STEM programs can give you a head start. Engaging in STEM learning at this early stage can help you develop critical skills like problem-solving, creativity, and analytical thinking, all of which are essential for success in both high school and future careers.
Early exposure to STEM also helps you build confidence in these subjects, allowing you to tackle more advanced coursework as you progress through your education. Participating in online STEM programs not only enhances foundational skills but also provides unique opportunities to explore a variety of STEM fields, all from the comfort of your home.
Below is a curated list of 10 online STEM programs specifically designed for middle school students in 2024-2025.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program, offered by Lumiere Education, is an 8-week experience tailored for middle school students (grades 6-8) interested in Mathematics, Physics, and other STEM subjects. This program provides a unique blend of personalized mentorship, project-based learning, and access to high-level academic resources. You will work one-on-one with mentors who are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE to develop and execute a personalized research project.
Program Structure:
Weeks 1-4: You will explore four distinct topics within your selected track, building a strong understanding of business, physics, mathematics, etc.
Weeks 5-6: You will study one specific topic area in more depth, enhancing your knowledge.
Weeks 7-8: You will implement your project with continuous guidance and support from your mentor, culminating in a completed research project.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8)
Application Deadlines: November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Cost: $2,400 (Need-based financial aid available)
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. You will learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. By the end of the program, you will have worked on a hands-on project in a subject of your choice! 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.
Application deadline: December 1, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort
Fee: $1,990 (Need-based financial aid is available)
Code.org's Middle School Program provides an interactive introduction to computer science through coding lessons and engaging projects. You will learn to create simple games and applications, exploring core concepts of programming in a supportive environment. The program also includes virtual workshops where you can receive personalized support and guidance from experienced mentors.
You have access to interactive coding modules, step-by-step tutorials, and practice exercises. In addition to the coding exercises, you will work on a final project that showcases your creativity and coding skills. This program is designed to be flexible, allowing you to progress at your own pace, making it a great option for those who are new to coding or looking to expand their skills.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Flexible (self-paced)
Cost: Free
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) offers an online experience that introduces middle school students to advanced topics. You will engage in interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and group projects designed to deepen your knowledge. Each session is led by Stanford faculty and graduate students, providing high-quality instruction and mentorship.
For students interested in STEM, the program offers a course on the real-world applications of math. You will learn about topics like cryptography and financial mathematics. The program emphasizes academic growth and personal development, encouraging you to explore your interests while preparing for competitive high school applications. In addition, you have the opportunity to interact with like-minded peers from around the world, fostering collaboration and communication skills. The program culminates in a final project presentation, allowing you to showcase your knowledge and skills to instructors and peers.
Location: RemoteEligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8)Application Deadline: March 29, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
July 8 – 26, 2024
August 26 – December 13, 2024
Cost: Free
Girls Who Code At Home offers a series of activities designed to introduce middle school students to computer science concepts from the comfort of their homes. These activities are accessible online and focus on building coding skills through interactive projects. You can choose from a variety of lessons that range from beginner to advanced levels. Each activity includes step-by-step instructions, video guides, and opportunities to create fun projects like animations, games, and websites. Girls Who Code At Home aims to empower students to take their first steps into the tech world and see the potential of coding to solve real-world problems.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Flexible (self-paced)
Cost: Free
The Berkeley Coding Academy provides an online experience where middle school students can learn to code and develop essential computer science skills. This program is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of coding through hands-on projects and interactive lessons. You will learn to create your own applications, games, and websites using popular programming languages like Python and JavaScript. The program also offers mentorship from instructors who guide you through coding challenges, help you develop problem-solving skills, and encourage creative thinking.
The Berkeley Coding Academy emphasizes both individual learning and collaborative projects, giving you the opportunity to work with peers and gain confidence in your coding abilities. By the end of the program, you will have a portfolio of coding projects that demonstrate your skills and creativity.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: TBA for 2025. Two sessions were offered in 2024:
June 17 – 28, 2024
July 8 – 12, 2024
Cost: $1,695 (Scholarships available)
The University of Texas at Dallas Coding Camp offers a range of options for middle school students to explore the world of coding. This program is designed to introduce you to programming through engaging lessons and hands-on activities. You will learn to code using popular programming languages like Python and JavaScript while working on projects that include creating games, animations, and websites. In the Enjoyable Coding with Alice camp, you will learn drag and drop coding to create simple programs like a frog jumping game and a person walking back and forth. You also have the opportunity to collaborate with your peers on group projects, which fosters teamwork and enhances problem-solving skills.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Students aged 11-14
Application Deadline: Enrollment is open until the Wednesday prior to the start of the camp
Program Dates: Weekly camps from June 3 – August 2, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $150
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers the Arduino Prototyping Program, which provides middle school students with an introduction to electronics and coding using Arduino microcontrollers. This program is designed to teach you how to build and prototype electronic circuits while learning about sensors, actuators, and coding in the Arduino programming environment. Through hands-on projects, you will create interactive devices, gaining practical experience in both engineering and programming. The program also features live virtual sessions where you can receive guidance from instructors, ask questions, and collaborate with peers. By the end of the course, you will have developed several prototypes, including a final project that demonstrates your skills.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7-8
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: June 16 – July 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $1,365
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) Engineering Design Program introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of engineering and the design process. You will learn about different engineering fields, understand engineering principles, and work on hands-on projects that involve designing, building, and testing prototypes. The program includes live virtual sessions with instructors who will guide you through the various stages of engineering design, including brainstorming, prototyping, and iterating solutions. You will collaborate with peers, gaining valuable teamwork experience while building creative problem-solving skills.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7-8
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Program Dates: June 16 – July 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $1,365
National Computer Camps (NCC) offers an online experience for middle school students interested in computer science and technology. The camp allows you to explore various aspects of computing, including programming, game design, and animation. You will learn to code in languages such as Python, Java, and C++ and have the chance to develop your own games and animations.
The program is designed to be interactive, with live instruction and opportunities for you to ask questions and collaborate on projects. NCC aims to help you build a strong foundation in computer science while fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. The flexible structure of the camp allows you to learn at your own pace while receiving personalized guidance.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Program Dates: June 24 – 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $1,350 per week
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.