If you are a middle school student looking to explore the exciting world of technology, machine learning, and coding, attending a summer program can be a fantastic opportunity. These programs, often offered by prestigious organizations, provide a hands-on, practical learning experience that introduces you to real-world skills in fields like programming, data science, and AI. The best part is that some of these programs are affordable, giving you the chance to gain exposure to cutting-edge technology without breaking the bank.

Such programs not only teach you technical skills like coding and computational thinking, but they also offer insights into the industry by connecting you with instructors, mentors, and professionals. You’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded peers and build lasting relationships that can help you in your future studies and career. 

To help get you started, we’ve put together this list of 10 Machine Learning (ML) summer programs for middle school students!

1. MIT DynaMIT

Location: MIT, Boston, MA

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Typically in April. Fill out this interest form for updates on the 2025 program

Program Dates: 

• Week 1: Rising 6th/7th Graders - August 11 - 15

• Week 2: Rising 8th/9th Graders - August 18 - 22

Eligibility: Middle school students entering 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades in the coming school year

MIT’s dynaMIT is a free STEM summer program for students in the greater Boston area with limited access to STEM opportunities. During the week, you’ll get to do hands-on science and engineering experiments, work with MIT student mentors, and meet other students. Past activities have included exploring math patterns in everyday life, learning about diseases, solving mock detective cases with fingerprints, studying stars, and working with Arduino microcontrollers.

2. Veritas AI's AI Trailblazers 

Location: Virtual

Cost: $1,990; Need-based financial aid is available.

Program Dates: 5 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.

Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. 

Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous projects done by students have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.

3. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp

Location: Online

Cost: $500

Program Dates: July 27 – August 1

Application Deadline: Applications open in December
Eligibility: Middle school students who identify as girls

The Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp is a week-long program for middle school girls to improve their programming, problem-solving, and computational thinking skills. Led by Wolfram instructors, the camp offers hands-on training in coding, design, and tech. The program focuses on interactive workshops, providing an opportunity for girls interested in science and technology to learn and explore. While not a traditional summer program, it’s a great chance for young girls to dive into the world of tech and innovation.

4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Online

Cost: $2,400; Financial aid available 

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts are available each year, deadlines vary accordingly

Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines for each cohort. If you'd like to take a look at the cohorts and deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!

Eligibility: Grades 6 - 8

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week program for middle school students to work closely with a mentor and explore their academic interests while building a project they care about. Mentors are scholars from top universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.

In the first 4 weeks, you’ll explore four different topics within your chosen track. Weeks 5 and 6 focus on one specific area, and in the final 2 weeks, you’ll work on implementing your project with help and guidance from your mentor. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. You can find the application form here.

5. Duke Continuing Studies Program: Technology and AI

Location: Duke University campus, Durham, NC

Cost:  

• Commuter Fee (1 Week - Middle School non-credit): $1,830.00

• Residential Fee (1 Week - Middle School non-credit): $2,580.00

Program Dates: July 20 - July 25

Application Deadline: Applications are typically open from December to April.

Eligibility: Open to middle school students in grades 6-8

The Duke Continuing Studies Program in Technology and AI is an excellent starting point for middle school students to explore the world of AI and machine learning. Through comprehensive coursework, you’ll learn how AI and ML are changing fields like business, healthcare, and everyday tech. You’ll dive into core concepts like neural networks, data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and natural language processing — the technology behind tools like ChatGPT.

In addition to the technical skills, the program encourages critical thinking and collaboration. You’ll work on projects that help you think about the societal impact of AI, such as how these technologies can both benefit and challenge our world. This program gives you the tools to understand the ethical implications and broader consequences of AI.

6. UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy: Raspberry Pi

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA

Cost: $275

Program Dates: July 7 – July 11

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May

Eligibility: Open to middle school students in grades 6-8

The Raspberry Pi course at UC San Diego's Sally Ride Science Academy offers an engaging introduction to coding, electronics, and hands-on applications. Using the Raspberry Pi — a compact and versatile computer — you’ll dive into Python programming while exploring the basics of circuits and electronic components like resistors, LEDs, and rotary potentiometers. The program begins with an overview of the Raspberry Pi Model B motherboard and quickly progresses to building projects such as a dimmer switch, a camera-based intruder alarm, a digital drum set, and interactive visual games.

These projects help you develop a solid foundation in Python scripting and give you a practical understanding of how software and hardware integrate to create functional devices. Creativity and problem-solving are especially emphasized in this course, as you transform your ideas into working applications, sparking curiosity about how everyday technology operates. 

7. Philosophy of AI at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; Need-based financial aid is offered.

Program Dates: July 7 - July 18

Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grade 8 can apply

Stanford offers a variety of programs designed to provide a challenging educational experience. The pre-collegiate program focuses on academic, social, and extracurricular enrichment, with top instructors and programs tailored to your interests. The Philosophy of AI course encourages students to explore the big questions about AI, including its social and ethical impact. 

You’ll discuss issues like whether relying on algorithms and machine learning in areas like lending and criminal sentencing makes things fairer or worse, and who should be held accountable if something goes wrong. Through readings, discussions, and activities, you’ll dive into these important topics. Upon completing the program, you’ll also receive a certificate of completion.

8. UC Berkeley AI & Data Science Bootcamp for Young Innovators

Location: Virtual

Cost: Starting from $2,079

Program Dates: 

• Data Science: The AI Journey - July 14 - August 1 

• Code Confidently in Python - July 7 - 11

• Teaching Machines to See - August 4 - 8

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until filled

Eligibility: Students aged 12–18, with special consideration for younger students with demonstrated interest in programming.

The UC Berkeley AI & Data Science Bootcamp for Young Innovators summer program gives you the opportunity to master Python, explore big data, and dive into machine learning. You’ll learn to create data visualizations, build machine learning models, and develop real-world AI applications. The program includes active coding sessions, where you’ll work on projects and create coding notebooks stored in your Google Drive. The program’s curriculum has been refined over 5+ years and includes hundreds of videos, coding notebooks, and problem sets, all of which you’ll have lifetime access to.

You’ll work in small cohorts, getting 1-on-1 support from instructors to help you apply new concepts and work on your projects. At the end, you’ll present your final project and earn a Data Science Scholar Certificate to showcase your skills. Graduates of the program often go on to win science fairs, pursue Data Science majors, earn internships, and start AI clubs.

9. Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) at the University of Pennsylvania

Location: University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA

Cost: $650

Program Dates: June 23 - June 27

Application Deadline: March 3

Eligibility: Middle school students in 7th, 8th, and 9th grade 

Penn GEMS is a week-long day camp for middle school students all about exploring bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, graphics, and computing through hands-on activities. While not solely focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), the camp exposes students to computational thinking, robotics, and data-driven problem-solving — key foundational skills for future studies in AI and technology.

Throughout the program, you'll explore how AI and automation intersect with engineering disciplines, working on projects in robotics, environmental engineering, and chemical engineering that incorporate coding, data analysis, and computational modeling. You'll also collaborate with mentors and role models, learning about real-world applications of AI-driven engineering and how these innovations are shaping the future. Just keep in mind that it's a day camp, so you'll need to arrange for pick-up and drop-off at the Penn campus.

10. Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Program

Location: Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI

Cost: 

• $1,125 for live-in students (includes tuition, program fees, meals, room, and board)

• $695 for commuter students (includes tuition and meals)

Program Dates: June 15 - July 25

Application Deadline: May 1

Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8

Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Program (SYP) offers hands-on, immersive STEM experiences designed to spark curiosity and develop foundational skills in engineering, computer science, and robotics. Over the course of the program, you’ll participate in interactive labs, coding workshops, and engineering challenges, working alongside university instructors and industry professionals. Whether you're building robots, experimenting with circuits, or exploring AI-driven technologies, SYP encourages creativity and problem-solving through real-world applications of STEM concepts. 

The program also provides mentorship, teamwork exercises, and access to state-of-the-art university facilities, helping you gain early exposure to AI, programming, and emerging technologies.

Image source - Duke University