12 STEM Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Summer camps are a great way for middle school students like you to dive into hands-on experiences and build practical skills in fields you're passionate about. They offer the opportunity to explore fascinating topics within STEM, engage in exciting projects, and even build connections with professionals and mentors who can guide your interests further. If you're intrigued by STEM and want to spend your summer experimenting, coding, designing, or conducting experiments, a summer camp might just be perfect for you.
To help you get started, we've carefully selected 12 STEM summer camps for middle school students!
1. Stanford seeME
Through Stanford seeME, you’ll engage in dynamic, hands-on engineering projects. Hosted by Stanford’s Mechanical Engineering department, the program covers compelling topics such as wind energy, autonomous vehicles, disease spread prediction, industrial engineering, fire science, and data analytics.
You'll gain insights into engineering fundamentals through direct mentorship and interactive demonstrations guided by Stanford graduate students. This experience emphasizes practical skill-building and introduces complex engineering concepts in accessible, exciting ways.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Only 40 students selected
Dates: May 17; check here for updates.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; Check the program website regularly for updated information.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; no prior engineering experience required
Cost/Stipend: No cost, no stipend
2. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers a personalized, virtual research experience where you'll work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, and Oxford. Throughout this eight-week program, you'll explore various topics, choose a specific research area, and build an in-depth project based on your academic passions.
You'll gain valuable experience in scientific reading, writing, critical thinking, and research methodology. By engaging in this rigorous process, you'll enhance your understanding of fields such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, develop strong mentorship relationships, and produce work that could be suitable for academic journals or presentations.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective, with thousands of applicants annually.
Dates:
Summer Cohort I: Starts June 2
Summer Cohort II: Starts July 14
Application Deadline:
Summer Cohort I:
Early Admission: February 9
Priority Admission: March 9
Regular Admission I: April 13
Regular Admission II: May 11
Summer Cohort II: June 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Cost/Stipend: Need-based financial aid available; otherwise, standard tuition applies.
3. Virtual Coding Camps – UT Dallas
This virtual coding camp at UT Dallas gives you a deep dive into computer programming and coding languages like Scratch, Alice, JavaScript, Java, and Python. You can explore exciting projects like animations, game design, and interactive math applications. Sessions are intentionally limited to small groups (6-12 campers) to ensure personalized mentorship and guidance. You’ll participate in structured, instructor-led sessions lasting no more than 90 minutes daily, ensuring focused learning without burnout. Advanced campers even have the option to tackle college-level programming topics, building skills crucial for future academic and professional paths.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Fairly selective; typical cohort sizes range from 3-12 campers per session
Dates: June 9 - August 1 (sessions vary from two to four weeks each)
Application Deadline: Early registration discount available until April 15; registration closes roughly two weeks before each session begins
Eligibility: Grades 3-12 (Age ranges: 8-18)
Cost/Stipend: $50 - $400 (discounts available for low-income families)
4. STEM Academy Middle School Summer Camps – Oregon State University
At Oregon State University's STEM Academy Middle School Summer Camps, you will dive into hands-on projects guided by professional scientists, engineers, and educators. You will engage with nature in Wild About Wildlife Camp, build interactive gadgets in Making with Microcontrollers, or create your own video games in the Making Arcade Games workshop.
You’ll also explore various engineering disciplines through dynamic challenges in the Engineering Camp, or experience cutting-edge design and metal casting techniques in the half-day Art+Metal 3D Printing Camp. Each camp is designed to develop your creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, providing a well-rounded STEM learning experience.
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis campus, and HP ATAMI Campus
Dates: Varies by camp
Wild About Wildlife Camp: June 24 – 25
Making with Microcontrollers: July 14 – 18
Making Arcade Games: July 14 –18
Engineering Camp: July 21 – 25
Art+Metal 3D Printing Camp: August 12 (half-day)
Application Deadline: Open enrollment; early registration is recommended.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
Cost: $60-$320 (needs-based scholarships available)
5. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
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.
Location: Virtual
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Cost: $1,790; Need-based financial aid is available
6. iD Tech Camps at Caltech
At iD Tech Camps hosted on Caltech’s campus, you’ll engage in an interactive STEM experience tailored specifically to your interests. Through small-group sessions limited to 12 students per instructor, you'll receive personalized guidance in programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, and Scratch.
You will dive into cutting-edge topics like Machine Learning, AI, and robotics with VEX®, or explore creative technologies, including Minecraft modding, game design with Unreal, and 3D printing. You’ll not only develop technical skills but also gain practical experience by collaborating on projects and problem-solving in a collegiate environment.
Location: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; limited to 12 students per instructor.
Dates: Multiple sessions available between May 26 - August 15 (exact dates vary by selected course; refer to the program website for specifics)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Ages 7-18 (courses segmented by age and skill level)
Cost: Fees vary by course and format; typical week-long camps start around $1,000. Scholarships and promotions are available.
7. Penn GEMS: Engineering, Math, and Science Camp
Penn GEMS: Engineering, Math, and Science Camp offers you an engaging, week-long experience packed with interactive sessions in bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, graphics, and computing. Hosted on the University of Pennsylvania campus, you'll delve into hands-on projects designed to demonstrate how engineering affects daily life and addresses real-world challenges.
You'll work directly with current Penn students, gaining valuable mentorship and exposure to engineering career pathways. While working collaboratively on these practical activities, you'll build key skills in critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (day camp only, no overnight accommodations)
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8 who will enter grades 7–9 in the fall, residing and attending school within a 60-mile radius of the Penn campus, with at least a 'B' average. Participants from previous GEMS camps are NOT eligible to return.
Cost: $650 (includes lunch, GEMS t-shirt, certificate, and closing reception); limited need-based financial assistance available.
8. NYU Tandon: Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)
At NYU Tandon's Science of Smart Cities (SoSC), you'll dive deep into engineering, computer science, and technology with a focus on creating smarter, sustainable urban environments. You'll cover foundational electronics and circuit design, engage with microcontroller programming, and integrate sensors into real-world applications.
Collaborating in small teams, you'll tackle environmental challenges through hands-on projects, including urban sustainability and smart infrastructure. The program culminates in a final presentation, allowing you to showcase your innovative solutions to parents, peers, and STEM professionals.
Location: Andries Hudde Junior High, Brooklyn, NY (exclusively for NYC residents)
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising 7th–8th graders; NYC residents only
Cost/Stipend: No cost, fully funded through scholarships by National Grid. No stipend is provided.
9. Introduction to Engineering – Southern Methodist University (SMU)
The Introduction to Engineering summer camp at SMU is designed specifically for rising 7th and 8th graders who have little to no previous experience in engineering or integrated STEM programs. Throughout the week, you'll engage in practical, hands-on projects across key disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering, as well as computer science.
Using the engineering design process, you'll learn to conceptualize, build, and test various projects. The program also offers mentorship opportunities, as you'll be guided by current SMU Lyle Engineering students and local Dallas-Fort Worth college science and engineering students.
Location: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 students per session
Dates:
Boys Only Camp: July 7 – 11
Girls Only Camp: July 14 – 18
Co-ed Camp: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Applications opened on February 17; rolling until seats are full
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders
Cost/Stipend: $600 (includes materials, meals, snacks, and camp merchandise)
10. University of New Hampshire Tech Camp
At UNH Tech Camp, you'll participate in projects covering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through practical, collaborative experiences. Designed for all skill levels, the program emphasizes problem-solving and hands-on exploration. You'll gain experience working in advanced labs, focusing on projects in regenerative medicine, biofabrication, and other relevant STEM fields. Faculty members and researchers provide guidance and mentorship, giving you insight into current developments in STEM.
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Dates: Dates vary by session; check specific session details on the official website.
Application Deadline: Dates vary by session; please check the official website for updated deadlines.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5-12
Cost/Stipend: Fees vary by session; scholarships are available based on financial need.
11. Intermediate Marine Science Camp Program
At the Intermediate Marine Science Camp by the Acadia Institute of Oceanography, you'll explore oceanography through hands-on activities, laboratory work, and field trips around Mount Desert Island, Maine. You will spend your days conducting water quality tests in Somes Sound, investigating diverse tidal pools, and setting up your very own saltwater tank. You'll also participate in whale-watching trips, visit a bird rehabilitation center, and study coastal geology.
Location: Seal Harbor, ME
Dates: June 22 – July 4 and August 3 – 15
Application Deadline: Rolling until full; accepting waitlist registrations
Eligibility: Ages 12–15 (middle school students)
Cost/Stipend: $3,200 for a two-week session
12. MST@MSU
At the MST@MSU program, you'll participate in a one-week residential or commuter summer camp focusing on mathematics, science, and technology. You'll engage in three daily classes covering advanced STEM topics, including mathematics, science, engineering, and technology, with an emphasis on practical applications and problem-solving. Activities involve exploring real-world problems through hands-on projects, allowing you to experience active learning without repeating your regular school coursework.
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (Residential and commuter options)
Dates: June 23 – 27 and July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th-grade students
Cost/Stipend:
Commuter option: $950 (includes lunches)
Residential option (July 7–11 session only): $2,100
Need-based scholarships available