8 Free Chemistry Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student, free programs in STEM offer a unique opportunity to explore science without financial barriers, making it easier to discover your interests and build foundational skills early. Enrolling in these programs allows you to dive into subjects like chemistry through hands-on experiments, interactive lessons, and engaging activities.
Building a strong foundation in chemistry can positively impact your academic journey, equipping you with advanced skills and confidence as you approach high school science courses. Participating in a prestigious, fully-funded program also highlights your commitment to learning and can set you apart when you apply for future academic opportunities.
Here’s a list of 8 free chemistry programs designed for middle school students!
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers middle school students a unique virtual mentorship to explore academic interests and create a high-school-level project in subjects like chemistry, biology, AI, and more. Over 8 weeks, students meet one-on-one with mentors from top universities (e.g., Harvard, MIT) for one hour per week. The program covers multiple topics within a track, followed by a deep dive and a dedicated project phase to bring students' ideas to life, making it a flexible, personalized learning journey.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 (need-based financial aid available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year, December 29, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Dates/Duration: This is an 8-week program with a spring cohort in March and a summer cohort in June
The State Pre-College Enrichment Program (S-PREP) is a free initiative tailored for 7th–12th graders, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, who are interested in STEM fields like chemistry. Through both summer and academic year sessions, you can take advanced chemistry courses—such as Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and foundational science subjects—enhancing your preparation for high school-level chemistry and related subjects. S-PREP also offers PSAT/SAT prep, college counseling, career workshops, and field trips, helping you build essential skills for future success in STEM pathways.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled in Grades 7–12 and have an 80% grade average, particularly in math and science
Application Deadline: Summer: April 15, 2025 | Academic Year: September 19, 2025
Dates/Duration: TBA for 2025. The 2024 dates were:
Summer: July 8 – August 2, 2024
Academic Year: November 9, 2024 – May 17, 2025
The MIT Science and Engineering Program for Middle School Students introduces seventh and eighth graders to materials science and engineering, with an emphasis on chemistry concepts through hands-on experiments. Over a week, students from Cambridge public schools explore topics like building solar cells, polymer demonstrations, microscopy, and metal casting. Mentored by MIT undergraduates and guided by faculty, you will understand scientific applications, gaining a deeper understanding of materials science and its intersection with chemistry.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: No information available
Eligibility: 7th and 8th grade students from a Cambridge public middle school
Application Deadline: No information available
Dates/Duration: No information available
4. DynaMIT
DynaMIT is a week-long free summer program hosted by MIT that introduces middle school students to STEM fields, including chemistry. Designed specifically for economically disadvantaged students, it combines hands-on experiments, themed activities, and collaborative challenges. Each day explores a different STEM subject—such as chemistry, biology, and physics—through projects like building circuits and examining polymers. You will work alongside MIT mentors, gaining both guidance and insight into scientific fields. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Rising 6th-9th grade students
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Dates/Duration: The program typically runs in July/August
Duke University’s Introduction to Chemistry: Reactions and Ratios (offered on Coursera) is a seven-week program for students who are new to chemistry. Through lessons and lab demonstrations, you will build foundational skills in key areas like stoichiometry, periodic trends, atomic structure, and chemical nomenclature. Each week, the course progresses systematically, introducing new concepts and problem-solving techniques in areas such as molecular composition, reaction calculations, and basic acid-base chemistry. With optional advanced problem sets, this course prepares you for more advanced chemistry studies and practical applications in science, health, and policy.
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Eligibility: This is an introductory course for students with limited background in chemistry
Application Deadline: No deadline
Dates/Duration: Self-paced
The ISTEM Science Exploration Program offers middle school students hands-on, lab-based experiences designed to build a strong scientific foundation through academic and practical learning. The program is segmented by grade level to tailor the curriculum to students' learning needs. Seventh graders build foundational lab skills through physics, chemistry, microbiology, and ecology. Eighth grade students explore biology, biotechnology, and environmental chemistry using case studies like Cholera and Genetics. For ninth grade, the program focuses on advanced biology, emphasizing research and problem-solving in botany, microbiology, and genetics.
Across all levels, the ISTEM program includes reading, research, group work, and writing assignments to bolster critical thinking, foster independent learning, and offer practical experience in lab environments.
Location: Institute for STEM Education, Stony Brook Univeristy, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $650 (full and/or partial scholarships available)
Eligibility: Students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade
Application Deadline: First come, first serve (maximum enrollment: 24 students per grade level)
Dates/Duration: The program typically runs in July
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: Chemistry in Society explores how chemistry addresses real-world challenges, from alternative fuels to water safety. Middle school students learn about core topics like the periodic table, atomic structure, and chemical bonding, engaging in hands-on labs and interactive projects. Activities include testing water for toxins, simulating a town hall on community water sources, and preparing biodiesel.
You will also conduct calorimetric experiments and make aspirin, understanding its medicinal properties. By the course's end, you will be prepared for high school chemistry and have practical insights into chemistry’s impact on society.
Location: Various locations
Cost: $3,149 to $7,501 (financial aid is available)
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-11
Application Deadline: May 2, 2025
Dates/Duration: Multiple dates based on location. Check details here
Penn GEMS is a week-long summer program for middle school students interested in careers in STEM, especially materials science and engineering. Through its focus on bioengineering and materials science, Penn GEMS offers a hands-on exploration of chemistry concepts. The program offers mentorship from experts and aims to help you solve real-world problems by applying STEM principles. To learn more about this program, check out our full guide here.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 24 – 28, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Cost: $650 (need-based financial aid available)
Eligibility: Philadelphia-area middle school students in grades 6,7, and 8
Deadline: March 4, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
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.