11 Computer Science Programs for Middle School Students
If you're a middle school student with a keen interest in computer science and eager to dive into the world of programming, you’ve come to the right place! Participating in a computer science program offers a unique opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, develop practical skills, and learn from industry experts.
Whether you're passionate about coding, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, web development, UX/UI design, or software development, these programs will help you sharpen your technical skills, explore potential career paths, and prepare for your future academic and extracurricular goals in high school. Engaging in these programs early can even boost your portfolio for college applications and set you on a path to excel in the rapidly evolving field of computer science.
To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 11 computer science programs for middle school students that you can consider!
Location: U.C. Berkeley Campus, CA
Cost:
Tuition: $1,350
Optional residential add-on: $1,150
Subsidized rates: $1,215 for tuition, $1,035 for residential add-on.
The tuition fee covers meals on campus; financial aid is also available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May.
Dates: June 24 - June 28, 2024
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th graders can apply.
The Lawrence Hall of Science at U.C. Berkeley is a solid research opportunity for middle school students looking to dive into the field of STEM firsthand! This one-week program includes immersive experiences, hands-on experiments, and campus tours designed to ignite a passion for science and engineering. As a participant, you’ll engage in lab sessions, interact with faculty and students, and explore various STEM career paths — providing a dynamic learning environment to hone technical skills.
One of the featured programs is the Coding and Engineering Nano-Satellites track. Here, you’ll tackle block-based coding and apply it to overcome engineering challenges by building and programming your very own model satellite for deep space exploration. This experience emphasizes the iterative design process and deepens your knowledge of both our solar system and computer programming. The week culminates when you finally get to code and construct a model satellite based on your designs.
By participating in this program, you will gain valuable skills across a spectrum of STEM disciplines, acquiring a solid foundation and tangible experiences that will enrich your future pursuits in STEM.
Location: Duke University campus, Durham, NC
Cost:
Residential: $1,400 tuition + $750 room and meal fee
Commuter: $1,400 tuition + $125 meal fee
A limited amount of financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in early April.
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions are available in June and July:
Session 1: June 16 - June 28, 2024
Session 2: June 30 - July 5, 2024
Session 3: July 7 - July 19, 2024
Session 4: July 21 - July 26, 2024
Eligibility: Current 6th to 8th grade students can apply.
Duke’s Summer Residential Program offers middle school students an engaging, college-like experience. The program features a variety of courses such as aerospace engineering, mathematical logic and proofs, financial literacy, technology & AI, law, and marine ecology. These courses are designed to be both rigorous and engaging, providing students with a deep dive into their chosen fields of interest. You can check out the complete list of available courses here.
One highlighted course is “Technology and AI”, where you will explore the applications of AI in technology, business, healthcare, and beyond. This course equips students with critical skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. You will learn about the core building blocks of AI technology, including neural networks, machine learning, data analysis, and natural language processing. This hands-on course will help you understand the profound impact of AI in today’s world and prepare you for future careers in this exciting field.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $400 to $650 per participant; needs-based scholarships of up to 75% are available.
Application Deadline: The deadline varies depending on the program.
Dates: Varies depending on the program; typically from June to July.
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders can apply.
CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. (Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEAM) are one- to two-week residential programs designed to increase knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). These programs provide middle school students with interactive activities covering topics like coding, 3D game design, computer science basics, data science, engineering, AI, film production, and more. You can register for the available courses here.
Programs are taught by a mix of Georgia Tech faculty, staff, students, and local science and math teachers. You can choose from a variety of courses based on your interests, such as learning to code, investigating energy generation, and even studying film production! These programs aim to enhance student learning and skills in a dynamic and engaging environment. You can check out our in-depth review of the CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. here.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Dates: July 8 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Students who are NYC residents and 12 years old by the start of the program but not older than 14 can apply.
The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program at NYU introduces middle school students to the principles of engineering, computer science, and technology aimed at creating sustainable, efficient, and safer urban environments. This comprehensive 4-week program involves interactive projects where you’ll work in teams to design smart city solutions using electronics, coding, microcontrollers, sensors, and other hardware.
Mentored by NYU School of Engineering students, you’ll get to build smart city models while exploring various STEM concepts including energy, transportation, urban infrastructure, and wireless communications. The program ends with a final presentation, where you will present your creative solutions and projects to experts and the public. The SoSC can help you enhance STEM skills and awareness, preparing you for future roles in city planning and technology.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA; some programs are offered virtually.
Cost: Courses range from $175 to $450; financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024.
Dates: July 8 - August 2, 2024; available courses differ from week to week; students can choose only one course per week:
Session 1: July 8 - July 12, 2024
Session 2: July 15 - July 19, 2024
Session 3: July 22 - July 26, 2024
Session 4: July 29 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Open to all middle and high school students.
The Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego offers engaging and hands-on STEAM workshops for students grades 3-12. These workshops are designed to inspire and educate students on various core STEAM areas such as computer science, robotics, engineering, and biology, to specific fields like filmmaking, business, financial literacy, or gemology. The program features both in-person and online sessions.
If you’re interested in computer science, you can look into the Android App Design workshop, where you’ll learn the basics of app design and event-driven programming, or the Raspberry Pi workshop where you will use Python scripting to code a variety of fun apps with Raspberry Pi mini-computer.
This summer program aims to enhance skills in STEAM and fosters a deeper understanding of how these disciplines interact with real-world applications. Both in-person and online sessions of three hours each are offered depending on your chosen course. You will get to engage in practical projects, guided by university instructors. The program will allow you to attend multiple courses during the summer and gain experience in a variety of fields. You can read our in-depth review of the Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Program here.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free for all accepted participants.
Application Deadline: Opens February 1 and closes April 29, 2024.
Dates: July 8 - August 2, 2024; Orientation on June 28 via Zoom.
Eligibility: Students who are NYC residents and 12 years old by the start of the program but not older than 14 can apply.
The Sounds of New Your City (SONYC) program at NYU is an innovative platform designed to introduce students to the study of noise pollution, a significant quality-of-life issue in urban areas, especially NYC. This 3-week summer program involves projects where you’ll get to work with sensors, microcontrollers, circuits, and other real-world tools to monitor and understand urban noise pollution. You will also study the public health impacts of noise, learn about sound waves, and build devices to monitor and mitigate noise pollution.
During the program, you will gain practical STEM skills as you delve into the engineering and physical science aspects of sound, including coding and electronics. The program culminates in an end-of-program expo where you will present your projects among your mentors and peers. SONYC also offers a unique theater-based component, Irondale, which uses improvisation to enhance communication and public speaking skills.
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $650 per student; limited need-based financial assistance is available.
Application Deadline: March 4, 2024.
Dates: June 24 - June 28, 2024.
Eligibility: Current 6th to 8th-grade students in the Philadelphia area with a B average can apply.
The Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) Summer Camp is a week-long day camp designed to introduce middle schoolers to various engineering disciplines. The camp concentrates on areas such as bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, graphics, and computer science. During the camp, you will participate in hands-on activities and projects such as Glow in the Dark Science, Robotics, Animation, and more.
You will be divided into cohorts and taught by Penn doctoral and master’s students, with undergrad students serving as mentors and counselors. The camp aims to provide a supportive environment where students can connect with role models, enhance problem-solving skills, and build self-efficacy in STEM fields.
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost:
Day Camp: $1,299–$1,699
Overnight Camp: $2,098–$2,498
Financial aid and discounts are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all slots are filled.
Dates: June 10 - August 2, 2024 (Dates vary for different camps).
Eligibility: Open to all students aged 7-17 years.
iD Tech collaborates with top universities nationwide to offer coding, game development, robotics, and digital arts programs for students on their campuses. Designed for different interests and skill levels, iD Tech's summer tech camps provide a comprehensive learning environment that goes beyond just screen time.
With a commitment to small class sizes—no more than 8 students per instructor—the camps delve into workshops like Java Coding and Game Development, where you will learn to build custom blocks and maps in Minecraft or develop new games using Java. The Robotics Engineering course allows you to create and program robots using VEX robotics kits, fostering both technical skills and creativity. If you’re interested in emerging technologies, you can check out the AI and Machine Learning track that explores Python coding and machine learning principles. You can check out the complete list of camps and their availability here.
The emphasis is on practical, collaborative learning. Beyond the classroom, you will engage with your peers and get a taste of college life. The program offers recreational activities like outdoor games and movie nights — encouraging you to build confidence, skills, and connections that last beyond the summer.
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cost: $60 - $320 depending on camp; needs-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the camp selected.
Dates: All camps will be conducted between June and August 2024.
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 8th graders can apply.
The Oregon State University’s STEM Academy offers a variety of summer camps designed to foster interest and skill development in STEM fields. Middle school students can explore several topics through interactive activities and projects at OSU. If you’re interested in computer science, you can choose from several options, which include:
ActivityBots Camp: Here, using the ActivityBot 360 robot kits, you will learn how to build and code a robot that is smart enough to make its way around a room on its own. Teams of two will work together to move their robot through remote control navigation while learning about touch, visible light, infrared light, and ultrasonic sensors.
Making with Microcontrollers: Here, using the micro: bit microcontroller you will learn to build and program physical devices that can interact with your environment in a variety of ways.
Making Arcade Games: Here, you’ll learn how to code by creating arcade-style games using the MakeCode programming platform. The camp supports both block and text-based (javascript) programming, making it more accessible for beginners and more advanced students alike.
Flying Robots Camp – Wonderful World of Drones: Here, you’ll learn all about drones—how they fly, how they are used in research, and how you can program and fly them too.
Each camp aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience that balances theoretical knowledge with practical application. Some camps run for a single day while other camps run throughout the week from Monday to Friday.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,975; Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: June 5, 2024, or until slots are filled.
Dates: June 17 - July 26, 2024 (6 weeks)
Eligibility: 8th-12th graders can apply.
The MehtA+ Machine Learning Bootcamp is an intensive, 6-week virtual introduction to the world of data science. Led by engineers from MIT and Stanford, the bootcamp covers the mathematics behind AI, various machine learning models, and data preprocessing techniques.
Throughout the program, you will work on midterm and final projects in teams of 3-4, applying machine learning to fields like medicine, digital humanities, economics, and linguistics. These projects culminate in the creation of a research paper and technical poster, which students will present at the annual MehtA+ Machine Learning conference where you will get a chance to showcase your work to university professors and potentially publish in research journals.
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $2,695; limited scholarships are available.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until slots are filled.
Dates: July 15 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Students aged 12 to 18 with some proficiency in Python.
If you want to explore how data is used in various areas, from social media trends to environmental changes, the Berkeley Coding Academy is a good option. The AI Applications program focuses on the Python code behind AI where over three weeks, you will engage in hands-on projects including image classification, astronomical object detection, movie and music recommedation systems, text generation, and deepfake detection. With a focus on Deep Learning, you’ll get to build and optimize models using CNNs, RNNs, LLMs, GANs, and more. During the program, you’ll also get to complete several mini-projects and a special final project of your choice.
Moreover, you will receive permanent access to the Berkeley Coding Academy suite which includes over 100 4K Data Science videos, Colab Notebooks, and instructional materials created for the class. For the advanced cohort, proficiency in Python at the level of writing functions and accessing libraries via dot notation is required. However, the beginner cohort is for students who are new to coding/Python. You can select the cohort according to your preference on the application form.
BONUS — Veritas AI’s Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,790. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. The summer cohort applications typically close in May/June.
Dates: The AI Trailblazers runs for a total of 25 hours over 10 weekends. The summer cohort dates can be found here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 can apply.
Veritas AI is an online program tailored for middle and high school students and founded and run by graduates from Harvard University. For middle schoolers interested in coding, there is the AI Trailblazers boot camp, where you’ll get to learn the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning, alongside foundational Python skills. You will engage in practical AI projects spanning fields such as medicine, finance, and autonomous vehicles under the guidance of mentors from leading universities.
During the program, you’ll get to build a foundation in AI & ML and learn about data analysis, and key topics in AI including exploratory data analysis, regression, and classification problems. You will also delve into some complex topics like image classification, neural networks, and why AI ethics matter. This option is particularly suitable for beginners.
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 cohorts + deadlines for 2024, 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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