10 Summer Academic Programs for Middle School Students
Summer academic programs for middle school students allow you to explore subjects in depth, build strong foundational knowledge, and gain early exposure to advanced concepts. These programs help you solidify your academic interests, which can guide you through your high school coursework and prepare you for future academic opportunities.
Unlike work-learn or internship programs, academic summer programs focus on theoretical learning, critical thinking, and subject exploration.
These programs focus on diving into a specific subject through structured coursework, expert mentorship, and collaborative projects. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your understanding of AI, engineering, or research methodologies, these summer academic programs for middle school students offer a valuable opportunity to engage with the subject matter in a meaningful way. Many of these programs also incorporate hands-on activities, problem-solving exercises, and opportunities to present research findings.
If you are looking to enhance your academic profiles, develop key skills, and engage with like-minded peers, summer academic programs are an excellent choice. To help you navigate your options, we have created a list of 10 summer academic programs for middle school students that offer structured learning, mentorship, and interactive experiences. We've covered a host of free, online, paid, and region-specific research opportunities and internships for middle school students here.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, small cohorts
Cost: $2,400 (Need-based financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students (Grades 6–8) with a strong academic
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an academic initiative designed for middle school students with a strong interest in research. This program provides you with one-on-one mentorship from PhD candidates, guiding you through the development of an independent research project in your chosen field.
You will collaborate with PhD mentors from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale to develop custom research projects based on your interests. The program emphasizes critical thinking, independent research, and problem-solving skills. At the end of the program, you will complete a final research project that serves as both a learning milestone and a foundation for future academic pursuits.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots available
Cost: $650 (Need-based financial assistance available)
Dates: June 23- June 27
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Rising 7th, 8th, or 9th graders attending a Philadelphia-area school with at least a B average GPA
The Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) program is a summer outreach initiative hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. This one-week day-camp introduces you to engineering through hands-on workshops, lab activities, and discussions. The program is led by Penn faculty and graduate students.
Topics include experiments on subjects like bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, graphics, and computing. You can learn about scientific principles, experiment with engineering concepts, and interact with mentors, all while gaining exposure to academic and career pathways in STEM. The program also aims to enhance diversity in STEM fields by supporting underrepresented groups.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, small cohorts
Cost: $1,990 (Need-based financial aid available)
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: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual course designed to introduce middle school students to artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn Python programming, data analysis, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.
The program maintains a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, ensuring personalized guidance. By the end of the program, you get to complete an independent AI project, such as building a machine-learning model for music classification or developing an algorithm to recommend educational resources.
4. dynaMIT
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, limited spots available
Cost: Free
Dates:
August 11 - August 15 (rising 6th/7th graders)
August 18 - August 22 (rising 8th/9th graders)
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th graders
dynaMIT is a free, week-long summer program hosted at MIT, designed to spark curiosity in STEM among middle school students. The program offers hands-on activities, team-based challenges, and interactive projects that highlight real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
You will visit MIT’s cutting-edge labs, and collaborate on problem-solving tasks. At the end of the program, you will present your work to peers and mentors. The program also gives you a chance to experience MIT’s academic culture firsthand, making it an exciting opportunity for those passionate about STEM.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive admissions
Cost: Free
Dates: July 8 – August 2
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12 who are New York State residents or permanent residents living in New York. Preference is given to economically disadvantaged or Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Alaskan Native, or American Indian students who would benefit from academic enrichment
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) at Columbia University is an intensive academic program aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in medicine and STEM fields. The program provides you with a structured curriculum that includes science coursework, lab sessions, and workshops on college readiness and career exploration.
Courses offered include a wide range of subjects, such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Brain & Cognitive Science, Ready for PreMed, Physics, Psychology, Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics. The program also provides PSAT preparation during the summer and SAT preparation during the academic year.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, small cohorts
Cost: $75 (Scholarships available)
Dates: June 23 - July 30
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 9th graders currently studying in New Haven
The Ulysses G. Grant Foundation at Yale University is a challenging six-week summer program designed for highly motivated middle school students. The program aims to prepare you for academic success in high school and college by strengthening your analytical and research skills. It is taught by Yale undergraduate instructors, and the curriculum is divided into two disciplines: Humanities and Investigations.
In the Humanities track, you can explore topics such as Race and Identity through the Arts, the Philosophy of Living, and the Fundamentals of Music. In the Investigations track, you can select courses such as Community Building through Sustainability, Government Spending and Ethical Consumption, and Architectural Explorations. This learning experience fosters curiosity and academic confidence, helping you develop a strong foundation for future studies.
Location: Virtual / In-person TBD
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective admissions
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 to July 27
Application Deadline: May 21
Eligibility: Students identifying as female in grades 6-12
The Women’s Alliance in STEM and Humanities Summer Research Institute (WASH SRI) is a research-focused program designed to encourage female students to explore academic disciplines in STEM and the humanities. You can work closely with university faculty and graduate students on ongoing research projects, gaining firsthand experience in academic research.
The program offers three specialized research tracks: Introduction to Number Theory, Computational Neuroscience and Demystifying Deep Learning. Check the course outline here. The program runs for six weeks, with once-a-week workshops that last 2-3 hours, covering both foundational knowledge and advanced applications. At the end of the program, you will receive mentorship to refine your research projects, with guidance on possible publication and continuation opportunities.
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment, space-limited programs
Cost: $60–$320 (Need-based scholarships available)
Dates: Varies by program, with sessions in June, July, and August
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
The STEM Academy Middle School Summer Camps at Oregon State University offer hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Camp includes Wild About Wildlife Camp, Making with Microcontrollers, Making Arcade Games, Engineering Camp and Art+Metal 3D Printing Camp. These week-long camps introduce you to exciting fields such as robotics, environmental science, engineering, and computer programming.
It is led by OSU faculty and STEM mentors, the program emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world applications of STEM concepts. You can participate in interactive workshops and project-based learning, gaining foundational skills that prepare you for future academic and career opportunities in STEM.
Location: Michigan Engineering Zone, Detroit, MI
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective admissions, limited seats
Cost: Free!
Dates: Two sessions available:
June 23- June 27
August 4- August 8
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Current Rising 7th, 8th and 9th grade who are Michigan Residents
The Thinkabit Lab Summer Camp at the University of Michigan’s MEZ (Michigan Engineering Zone) is a week-long interactive program that introduces middle school students to engineering, robotics, and coding. You will engage in hands-on design projects where you can explore various aspects of engineering, experiment with robotics, and develop problem-solving skills in a collaborative setting.
The program is led by University of Michigan faculty and industry professionals, providing you with exposure to real-world STEM applications and career pathways. With a focus on teamwork and creativity, you leave the program with both technical skills and a deeper understanding of STEM fields.
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment, limited spots available
Cost: $700 per week for day students and $1,350 per week for residential students. (Financial support available for eligible students)
Dates: Weeks of July
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12
The Tech Camp at the University of New Hampshire is a hands-on summer program designed to foster interest in STEM subjects. You will explore fields such as robotics, environmental science, and engineering design through workshops, team-based challenges, and mentor-led projects.
The program is led by UNH faculty and STEM professionals, providing you with exposure to cutting-edge technology and real-world problem-solving experiences. By encouraging creativity and critical thinking, Tech Camp helps you develop practical STEM skills that can inspire future academic and career pursuits.
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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