10 Online Engineering Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student interested in developing your passion for engineering, consider taking an online engineering program! These programs will help you learn more about potential career paths in engineering and develop the creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills needed to design solutions for real-world challenges.
Virtual engineering programs are designed to make learning more accessible, interactive, and engaging. Many online engineering programs for middle school students will introduce you to foundational topics, like robotics, coding, electrical circuits, and mechanical systems, through project-based learning.
Here’s a list of 8 online engineering programs for middle school students that you can explore.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
Cost: $1,990 (need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts are available throughout the year. February 23, 2025, for the Spring 2025 cohort
Program Dates: March 9, 2025 – May 11, 2025 (Sundays)
Veritas AI Trailblazers is a dynamic online program designed to introduce middle school students to artificial intelligence and machine learning. Tailored for young learners, the program covers Python programming and foundational AI concepts through engaging hands-on projects like image recognition, data visualization, and game design.
As you advance through the program, you will explore complex topics like image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics, guided by knowledgeable instructors in live, interactive sessions. The program’s unique combination of live instruction and individual mentoring creates a stimulating and supportive environment. Once the program has ended, you will have developed essential coding skills, a comprehensive understanding of AI principles, and a strong foundation for future exploration of technology and computer science.
For more information, see here.
2. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 to 8
Cost: $2,400 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts are available throughout the year. December 29, 2024, for Winter Cohort II
Program Dates: 8 weeks. Winter Cohort II starts from January 20, 2025
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an 8-week initiative that connects middle school students with mentors from top-tier universities, including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and the London School of Economics. The program nurtures academic curiosity and passion, empowering you to create projects aligned with your personal interests.
The curriculum unfolds in three structured phases. The first four weeks explore four diverse topics within a chosen track. During weeks five and six, you will intensively study a specific area to build deeper expertise. The final two weeks focus on project implementation, guided closely by experienced mentors.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11 – 15; having a basic understanding of pre-algebra and algebra is recommended
Cost: $20 per week or $80 for 4 weeks
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Duration: 4 weeks (1 session per week, 60 minutes each)
Let's Start Engineering is an engaging, beginner-friendly course for middle school students interested in exploring the diverse engineering field. This program introduces various engineering disciplines and fundamental concepts, such as forces and stresses. It concludes with a hands-on final project that applies the principles learned. Led by an experienced mechanical engineer, the course emphasizes practical knowledge, career insights, and a fun, humor-filled learning environment.
The sessions incorporate live presentations via Microsoft PowerPoint, interactive Q&A, and assignments to reinforce learning. You are encouraged to ask questions, engage in discussions, and explore the real-world applications of engineering principles.
4. APP1300: Middle School Engineering
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: 8th-grade students who have completed MAT0700; 7th graders should be comfortable solving one- and two-step equations
Cost: $279.50/month. Check out the fee page for more details
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. The course begins every Monday.
Program Dates: 18 weeks
APP1300: Middle School Engineering introduces students to the Creationeering™ process, blending engineering concepts with entrepreneurial principles. This semester-long course combines hands-on activities with theoretical learning, using LEGO® blocks to teach fundamental physics concepts, design skills, and engineering analysis. You can explore various engineering fields, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and industrial while developing and assembling products and processes guided by Creationeering™ principles.
The program integrates a unique scriptural perspective, encouraging you to view intelligent design as a governing force in both engineering and business. By the end of the course, you will have acquired skills to design and assemble products while understanding the practical and ethical implications. The course requires an at-home physical lab kit for interactive lessons and experiments. A lab fee is automatically assessed during Financial Check-In, and the kit will be shipped to the address provided. Kits will arrive within the first two weeks of the course start date.
5. Engineering Experiences for Middle School Students – Remote
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Middle School students
Cost: $500
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, with early registration recommended
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (exact dates available upon request)
The Engineering Experiences program offers middle school students an opportunity to explore the world of engineering through interactive, hands-on activities. Taught by graduate STEM students, this program can be taken remotely, in-person, or in a hybrid format, providing flexibility for all types of learners.
The activities are designed to engage you with foundational concepts in engineering and coding while aligning with the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) Performance Expectations. You will learn essential engineering principles and apply them to real-world challenges, gaining a deep understanding of key scientific concepts and design processes. Sample activities include creating smart night lights, working with sensors, and learning Python programming. You will also explore engineering design processes, solve complex problems, and work on team-based projects.
6. BrownX: Introduction to Engineering and Design
Location: Online (Self-paced)
Eligibility: All learners interested in engineering
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: 3 weeks (self-paced)
The Introduction to Engineering and Design course from BrownX offers a comprehensive overview of key engineering fields and the engineering design process. Over three weeks, you will explore various engineering disciplines, including Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering. The course introduces you to the core aspects of engineering design, including conceptual design, evaluation of optimal choices, prototyping, and project construction. You will gain insights directly from industry experts who share real-world design challenges specific to each engineering field.
A key feature of the course is the Design Challenge, where you will apply your learning by designing, constructing, and testing a prototype. You can choose between using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools or building an actual physical prototype. The challenge enables students to apply the engineering design process to a real-world problem.
7. Hour of Engineering by Siemens
Location: Online
Eligibility: Middle school students
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Ongoing
The Hour of Engineering program hosted by Siemens is designed to inspire middle school students to consider careers in engineering, responding to the anticipated shortage of engineers in the future. This engaging online learning initiative aims to counter common misconceptions about the field and introduces you to the diverse possibilities that engineering offers before you make career decisions in high school. The program features flexible learning content that can be completed in as little as one hour, or extended for a more in-depth exploration over a full semester. Through videos, real-world examples, challenges, and 3D simulations, you are encouraged to explore key engineering concepts and careers.
You will be prompted to think critically and problem-solve through various challenges, with the option to extend your learning offline with hands-on activities. This interdisciplinary approach helps build your STEM competencies, aligning with core academic standards and providing the foundation for a strong STEM identity.
8. Middle School Engineering 1 by One Day Academy
Location: Online
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11 – 13
Cost: Varies by enrollment method
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Semester-based; specific dates provided upon registration
Middle School Engineering 1 introduces lower middle school students to the dynamic world of engineering. This course provides an overview of various engineering fields, including mechanical, computer, biomedical, chemical, electrical, aerospace, and architecture, combining foundational principles with hands-on projects to bring learning to life. As a participant, you will be conducting weekly design and build activities, working in teams to simulate real-world engineering environments.
The curriculum also includes basic math concepts, engineering principles, and instruction in isometric drawing to enhance technical skills. This engaging program is ideal for curious learners who enjoy building, exploring, and discovering how the world works, preparing them for advanced STEM learning while fostering teamwork and ethical decision-making.
9. Cars and Trucks Engineering STEM (SP) Course 1
Location: Online
Eligibility: Students aged 9 – 14
Cost: $20 weekly or $100 for all the content
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: 5 weeks (self-paced)
In this 5-week course, you will explore the principles of force and motion through hands-on challenges involving Hot Wheels cars. You will get to design ramps, tracks, jumps, and experiment with crashes while learning core science and engineering concepts in a fun and engaging way. The course incorporates practical applications of physics, such as energy, aerodynamics, momentum, and resistance, using everyday materials and toy vehicles.
Each week, you will complete a project to test the concepts covered in the lessons. These challenges promote creative problem-solving and critical thinking, allowing you to experiment, hypothesize, and adjust your designs. Weekly tasks will involve building, testing, and refining designs to optimize their performance based on the scientific principles introduced. The course emphasizes a growth mindset, encouraging persistence when faced with challenges and the development of a deeper understanding of design through inquiry-based learning.
Location: Online
Eligibility: Students aged 8 – 12
Cost: $11 weekly or $65 for the whole program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: 6 weeks (self-paced)
STEMtastic Engineering! is a 6-week flexible course where you will get to use engineering design practices to tackle a variety of STEM challenges inspired by real-world problems. Each week, you will be guided through the engineering design process, researching the problem of the week, designing solutions, and testing your ideas. Along the way, you will explore essential science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts, while working as mechanical, civil, architectural, and environmental engineers.
The course will focus on problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. You will develop critical thinking skills and learn how to communicate your results effectively by engaging in both individual and collaborative activities. You’ll get to create innovative solutions to challenges, such as drought relief, avalanche protection, earthquake resistance, and clean energy production.
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