Are you interested in coding or curious about computer science? Joining computer science extracurriculars for middle school students is a great way to build a strong foundation for your future. These activities develop skills like problem-solving, logical thinking, and creativity while introducing you to coding basics.

Starting early not only sharpens technical skills but also fosters collaboration and innovation—key in today’s tech-driven world. Engaging in computer science extracurriculars for middle school students can also impress college admissions by highlighting your dedication to learning.

In this blog, we’ll explore 6 CS-focused extracurriculars tailored for middle schoolers, covering what they involve and how they help you take your first steps into coding.

1. Join a Coding Club at school

Joining a coding club is a great first step to exploring programming in a supportive environment. These clubs allow you to work on hands-on projects, solve problems, and build practical coding skills, making them an excellent introduction to computer science. They also foster collaboration, helping you connect with peers who share your interests and can serve as a launchpad for more advanced CS activities in high school.

Examples: Many schools collaborate with organizations like Code.org or Girls Who Code to create coding clubs. Some schools also organize their own coding challenges or participate in national programs like the Hour of Code, providing a variety of opportunities to practice and showcase your skills.

What you'll be doing: You might start by learning beginner-friendly programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or Scratch. Club activities often include working on group projects such as designing simple games or building websites. You may also participate in coding challenges and have opportunities to present your work during club meetings or school events.

• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate

• Location: School or community centers

• Resources/Experience Required: None; just a willingness to learn and collaborate.

2. Participate in coding competitions and challenges

Coding competitions are a great way to challenge yourself to think critically and solve problems creatively under time constraints. These events provide an engaging platform to test and grow your coding skills while helping you enhance your analytical thinking. Participating in a competitive environment allows you to apply your knowledge in practical ways, preparing you for future academic and professional opportunities.

Examples: Platforms like Tynker host age-appropriate contests for young coders, offering an accessible entry point. National and global events like the Bebras Computing Challenge introduce problem-solving through fun and beginner-friendly activities.

What you'll be doing: Competitions often involve tackling algorithm-based puzzles, designing innovative apps, or creating solutions to real-world problems. You may participate individually or as part of a team, with many events concluding with presentations to judges or peers.

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate

• Location: Online or in-person

• Resources/Experience Required: A basic understanding of programming concepts is typically needed to participate.

3. Attend coding workshops or bootcamps

Workshops and bootcamps offer immersive experiences that introduce computer science concepts in a short time frame. These structured programs are ideal for exploring new topics or building on your existing skills. Led by experienced instructors, workshops provide personalized feedback and a guided learning environment, helping you make meaningful progress. They also allow you to connect with other students and foster a sense of community among fellow coders.

Examples: Organizations like Create & Learn and Code With Us offer workshops tailored for middle schoolers. Topics range from game design and robotics to web development, providing a variety of options to suit your interests.

What you'll be doing: Participate in interactive lessons, complete hands-on coding exercises, and work on small projects like designing apps or building basic robots. Some workshops even cover advanced topics such as artificial intelligence or cybersecurity, depending on their focus.

• Difficulty Level: Beginner to advanced

• Location: Online or in-person

• Resources/Experience Required: Requirements vary by workshop, but many are beginner-friendly and require no prior experience.

4. Build your own website

Creating a personal website is a fun and engaging way to explore web development while showcasing your work and interests. Building a website introduces you to front-end development basics, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This activity combines technical skills with creativity, giving you the chance to express yourself and create a tangible portfolio piece. A personal website can be a valuable asset for high school and even college applications, as it provides clear evidence of your skill development.

Examples: Platforms like W3Schools and Codecademy offer step-by-step tutorials to guide you through designing and publishing your own website.

What you'll be doing: Learn to design layouts, customize styles, and add functionality to your website. You can use it to share blogs, school projects, or coding experiments. Publishing your site online not only enhances your technical skills but also gives you a sense of accomplishment and visibility.

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate to advanced.

• Location: At home or online

• Resources/Experience Required: A computer and internet access are essential to get started. 

5. Join an online programming course

Online courses are a flexible and convenient way to learn computer science topics at your own pace. They cover a variety of subjects, ranging from basic coding to advanced algorithms. These courses provide comprehensive resources such as video tutorials, interactive exercises, and quizzes. Many platforms also offer certificates upon completion, which can enhance your academic profile and demonstrate your commitment to learning.

Examples: Platforms like Khan Academy and edX offer beginner-friendly courses on programming and computer science fundamentals. For a more specialized option, consider programs like Veritas AI’s Trailblazers program.

What you'll be doing: Watch video lectures, complete coding assignments, and work on mini-projects to apply your knowledge. Some courses also include opportunities to interact with peers through forums or group discussions, adding a collaborative element to your learning.

• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate

• Location: Online

• Resources/Experience Required: You must have access to a computer and an internet connection to join a programming course online. 

6. Develop a CS-themed blog or YouTube channel

Once you’ve explored some of the other activities in this blog, a great next step is creating your own content about computer science. This not only reinforces your understanding of CS concepts but also helps you develop strong communication skills. Sharing your knowledge can inspire others while showcasing your initiative, creativity, and technical expertise. It’s a unique way to stand out on college applications by demonstrating your ability to apply what you’ve learned in meaningful ways.

Examples: Use platforms like Medium for blogging or YouTube to create video tutorials.

What you'll be doing: Research and create content on topics like coding tutorials, emerging technology trends, or reviews of useful tools. You will also edit videos or format blog posts to ensure that they engage your audience effectively.

• Difficulty Level: Intermediate

• Location: Online

• Resources/Experience Required: A basic understanding of computer science concepts and access to writing or video editing tools.

Conclusion

Participating in computer science extracurriculars is an excellent way to build your knowledge and prepare for high school and beyond. These activities also help you stand out on college applications by demonstrating your dedication and technical skills. If you’re ready to start learning computer science, any of these activities can be a great first step in your journey.

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, 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.