8 Biology Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Middle school is a great time to nurture curiosity in biology and the natural world. Specialized summer camps offer you a chance to explore exciting topics in biology through hands-on experiments, field studies, and interactive projects. Whether you dream of becoming a marine biologist, geneticist, or environmental scientist, these camps provide a solid foundation for your future.
These camps offer a dynamic environment where you can explore, deepen your understanding of the natural world, and develop critical scientific skills. Engaging in such programs helps prepare you for advanced biology courses, enhances your college applications, and builds a strong scientific foundation.
Below, we've curated a list of 10 biology summer camps designed specifically for middle school students, providing an exciting gateway to discovery and growth in the fascinating field of biology.
The Intermediate Marine Science Camp Program takes students on an in-depth exploration of marine biology, blending natural history with oceanography. Over two weeks, you'll get hands-on experience setting up saltwater tanks, studying tidal pools, and comparing salt marshes to bogs. Through fieldwork and lab experiments, you’ll learn about island geology, marine biodiversity, and the zonation patterns of various aquatic organisms.
The program offers an introduction to key marine concepts and laboratory techniques. This camp is a gateway for students interested in pursuing advanced studies in marine science. Many students return for the Advanced session after completing the Intermediate session, especially after completing at least one year of high school. This program is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of marine ecosystems.
Location: Seal Harbor, Maine
Program Dates: June 23 - July 5, 2024 | August 4 - August 16, 2024
Cost: $3,200 for a two-week session.
Eligibility: Students should be between 12-15 years old.
Application Deadline: Applications are closed for Summer 2024 and will reopen for Summer 2025 in October 2024.
Inspired by the legacy of the first American woman in space, the Sally Ride Science Academy offers a range of workshops in STEM, including biology. Led by experienced educators and scientists, these interactive sessions aim to spark diverse interests, improve critical thinking, and promote teamwork through hands-on projects.
Whether you're keen to explore biotechnology, environmental science, or even data science, the academy provides a variety of options. Most classes are in-person, with online options also available. You can enroll in multiple courses, provided they don't overlap. Sessions are three hours each, giving you flexibility in choosing workshops. For example, if you’re curious about pharmaceutical sciences, you can join the week-long Middle School: A Dose of Pharmacreations course in July.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Program Dates: Various 4-day workshops between July 8 and August 2, 2024. Students can choose more than one course (the dates don’t overlap).
Cost: Each course’s fees differ, ranging from $175 to $450. Scholarships are available.
Eligibility: Open to all middle and high school students.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 for all courses.
Throughout this comprehensive four-week program, you'll dive into a variety of activities blending technology, health science, and biology. Through interactive lessons, you’ll engage in topics ranging from mobile app development to healthcare innovations. By working on projects like designing health apps or exploring human anatomy through tech, you’ll see how science and technology intersect to solve real-world problems.
The curriculum combines essential academic content with themed programming, covering topics from engineering to health and wellness, while satisfying extracurricular interests. This program fosters both academic skills and personal growth, with a focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities through inquiry-based learning.
Note: All application materials must be submitted by the deadline, no later than 5 pm
Location: Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Program Dates: June 3 - 28, 2024
Cost: $800
Eligibility: Rising 5-8th graders
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions.
In the Gene to Genome course, you will explore the fundamentals of genetics, focusing on how information is transferred through the Central Dogma of Biology (DNA → RNA → Protein). The course emphasizes heritable diseases and the mechanisms by which they are inherited, starting from the molecular level and expanding to organismal inheritance and genomic studies.
The course concludes with a presentation at the EU Genetics Conference, where you will take on the role of a researcher, presenting on a heritable disease to an audience of peers and families, who will act as colleagues in the field. This experience offers a practical and immersive way to apply your learning.
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Program Dates: June 16 - August 7, 2024
Cost: Not enough information
Eligibility: Middle school students
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
The UT Dallas Biology Camp is designed for middle and high school students eager to explore biology through hands-on activities and engaging learning experiences. The camp offers a diverse range of programs covering topics like genetics, ecology, and microbiology, allowing participants to gain practical skills and in-depth knowledge in these areas. Students will engage in experiments, field trips, and interactive workshops, all tailored to foster a deeper understanding of the biological sciences.
Beyond the scientific curriculum, the camp emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, promoting social skills and a strong sense of community. The program is structured to inspire curiosity and a passion for science, equipping students for future academic pursuits in biology and related fields. With experienced instructors and a supportive environment, the UT Dallas Biology Camp provides a unique opportunity for young learners to immerse themselves in the world of biology.
Location: Virtual
Program Dates: Year-round
Cost: Not enough information
Eligibility: Middle school students
Application Deadline: Rolling
HudsonAlpha's Educational Outreach team offers several weeks of summer Biotechnology Camps tailored for middle school students. These half-day camps are hosted in the educational spaces at HudsonAlpha, with three different camp options available.
One of the camp options is the Code of Life (Basic Camp), focusing on DNA. You’ll conduct experiments like DNA extraction and genetic engineering while learning how DNA governs physical traits. One of the camp’s highlights is creating glow-in-the-dark bacteria—a fun, hands-on way to apply your new knowledge. The camp also covers the role of enzymes and provides hands-on experience with lab equipment like micropipettes and centrifuges.
Once you complete this basic camp, you can move on to more advanced camps like I Want to Work in a Lab Coat and The Secret Lab, making this a great program for students eager to deepen their skills in biotechnology.
Location: Cummings Research Park, Huntsville, AL
Program Dates:
June 3 - 7, 2024, from 1 to 4 pm
June 10 - 14, 2024, from 9 am to noon
June 24 - 28, 2024, from 9 am to noon
July 8 - 12, 2024, from 1 to 4 pm
Cost: $200
Eligibility: Rising 6th through rising 8th graders
Application Deadline: Registration opens on March 20th.
The Rosetta Institute offers Biomedical Summer Camps for high-achieving middle and high school students interested in medicine and related fields. Held at top universities like UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and Columbia University, these camps offer an enriching environment where middle school students can engage in cutting-edge biomedical research.
The curriculum includes hands-on labs and lectures led by PhD-level instructors, covering topics such as molecular biology, drug development, and personalized medicine. Students create original research projects, enhancing their academic skills and college portfolios. Online courses in cellular and molecular medicine, medicinal chemistry, and medical bioinformatics are also available. The camps focus on experimental design and modern biomedical tools, preparing students for future studies and careers in science.
Location: Various universities, including UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and online
Program Dates: Year-round (varies by camp)
Cost: $3580 (Residential) | $2280 (Commuter)
Eligibility: Middle school students
Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
Biology Camp is offered to Biology teachers and current 8th-grade students preparing to enter high school biology. The curriculum includes a comprehensive range of topics and activities designed to deepen students' understanding of biological concepts and processes.
The program begins with foundational lessons on the Scientific Method, Basic Chemistry, and the Properties of Water, followed by an exploration of Membranes and Biomolecules and Cell Transport mechanisms. Students will also study Energy, Chemical Reactions, and Enzymes, along with an Overview of Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration. Detailed sessions on Cellular Organelles, DNA Structure and Function, and Protein Synthesis will further enhance their grasp of cellular biology.
In addition to these lab exercises, students will participate in Afternoon Activities such as Team Building, Mobility Simulation, and an Anatomy Lab. The program will also cover DNA Genetics, providing a well-rounded educational experience that integrates hands-on learning with theoretical knowledge.
Location: UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX
Program Dates: June 3 - June 14, 2024.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Middle school students (8th grade)
Application Deadline: Not specified
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 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.
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