If you are in middle school and interested in tech, it can be hard to figure out what steps you should take to build foundational skills. Taking part in tech programs will allow you to explore these subjects in depth, with guidance from professionals. An added bonus is that a lot of these programs will help you when you later take high school courses in these subjects. 

In this list, we’ve detailed 6 tech programs open to middle school students. Choosing to take part in them will help you build your understanding of concepts, which you can later apply in research or competitions. 

1. Veritas AI 

Location: Virtual

Cost: 

• AI Trailblazers - $1,790 

• AI Junior Fellowship - $2,900 

Note. Need-based financial aid is available.

Application Deadline: February 25, 2024 (Winter Cohort). You can apply here!

Program Dates: 

• AI Trailblazers - Runs for a total of 25 hours over 10 weekends 

• AI Junior Fellowship - 12 weeks. The upcoming cohort for both starts on March 10, 2024.

Veritas AI is a virtual AI program for middle school and high school students founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Middle school students can pick from two options -  the first is the AI Trailblazers bootcamp. Through this program, you will learn the  fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning, along with the basics of Python. You'll work on hands-on, real-world AI projects in areas like medicine, finance, autonomous vehicles, and more under the guidance of mentors from top universities. This is best suited for students who are beginners! 

If you have already gone through the bootcamp or have some experience with Python, the AI Junior Fellowship is a good option for you. You get to work 1-1 with a mentor to build out your own project or research paper over 12 weeks. This is a great way to work with AI at the intersection of various topics and showcase your passion. 

You can take a look at the program brochure here. 

2. UC Berkeley Coding Academy’s Data Science to AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: $2,495. Limited scholarships are available.

Application Deadline: To be announced.

Program Dates: Held in the summer. Dates to be announced.

Berkeley’s summer course on data science to AI is focused on introducing students to the fundamentals of AI, ML, and big data science. The academy offers 1-1 classes for students aged 12-18 and a junior Python coders program for ages 7-11. 

Through the programs, you will learn how to write and evaluate Python code behind AI and build ML models from real data. This course is a good choice for you if you are looking to take part in a technical skill-building course. The course has different levels for students based on their coding background. You will work in small groups to create your own projects and models. 

If you’re looking to hone your technical and programming skills while gaining access to long-term valuable resources like Berkeley Coding Academy lecture videos, slides, and portfolio projects, consider applying to this program! 

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

Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,050. Need-based financial aid is available.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024 (based on previous year’s deadlines)
Program Dates: Typically conducted in June and July

Note. This is only open to students from grade 8.

This program encourages students to ask the fundamental questions of what AI means. This initial question leads to some interesting philosophical issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence and raises social and ethical questions about today’s existing technology.

Some of the things you will question and discuss are whether reliance on algorithms and ML (for instance, when banks make lending decisions or courts impose criminal sentences) improve fairness or make things worse, and who do we hold accountable if things go wrong? You will explore these wide-ranging issues through readings, discussions, and a variety of activities and projects.

On successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.

4. MIT’s Beaver Works Middle School Program

Location: Both in-person and virtual options are available.

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: The program is currently shut for 2023, but you can expect applications for the 2024 batch to open in May (tentative).

Program Dates: 4 weeks starting the Monday after the July 4 weekend, Monday-Friday.

The Beaver Works Middle School Program, an extension of MIT's Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), offers an exciting gateway to the realms of AI and engineering for middle school students.

This immersive program places a strong emphasis on teamwork, encouraging you to engage in collaborative projects and tackle genuine real-world challenges by applying AI and engineering concepts. Additionally, you'll delve into the intricacies of crafting and programming intelligent systems, explore exciting domains like robotics and autonomous vehicles, and gain invaluable hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art technologies thoughtfully provided as part of the program.

In essence, it's a great opportunity to dive into AI and engineering, discover their real-world applications, and cultivate your skills alongside peers who share your passion for innovative problem-solving.

5. MIT RAISE - Creativity and AI Workshop

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Varies. 

Program Dates: Varies. 

Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) at MIT offers a variety of valuable tutorials for students starting their AI journey. One of these offerings is the Creativity and AI Workshop for middle school students.

The goal of the program and its curriculum is to teach students about creative machine-learning techniques and how they can partner with AI to create art. You will participate in several hands-on activities, both plugged (using digital devices and hardware) and unplugged (activities that don’t directly use digital devices). This course encourages the explorative creation of art with and without AI tools. A strong focus will be given to GANs, which is an AI platform that can generate art and music, among many other forms of media.

RAISE is a curriculum, as opposed to the other programs that are mentioned in this blog, so you might have to reach out to your teacher/instructor for more information regarding some of the curricula offered. 

If you are looking to engage in self-paced learning, RAISE is a pretty good option for you. You can also choose to learn from other workshops and curricula available on the RAISE website, such as Conversational AI Tools and PICaboo. 

If you’re interested in going through the detailed curriculum, check this out! 

6. Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) at New York University (NYU)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.  
Cost: Free.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close mid-April.
Program Dates: July - August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Students who live in New York City and will be 12 years old by the start of the program but not older than 14, can apply. Students should have a strong academic record and demonstrated interest in STEM.

Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) is a three-week program designed for middle school students to explore computer science, engineering and technology that enhance city sustainability and safety. Through hands-on activities, demonstrations and experiments, you will dive into topics like coding, physical sciences, and urban science. You will also learn how scientists and engineers apply fundamental knowledge, STEM-based skills and innovative solutions to the real-world, and how microcontrollers, sensors and other hardware work.

Guided by NYU School of Engineering students, you will create your own smart city models, integrating STEM concepts that you learned during the program. The program concludes with presentations to experts and the public, emphasizing real-world applications of your projects. During the final presentations, you are required to demonstrate how your project creatively provides a solution to a real-world challenge. SoSC fosters STEM skills and awareness through interactive learning, preparing young minds for future challenges in city planning and technology. 

Bonus!

Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Remote 

Cost: $1990 (financial aid is available) 

Application deadline: Upcoming spring deadline - 18 February, 2024

Program dates: March 11, 2024

Eligibility: Middle school students

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a 1-on-1 research program designed particularly for middle school students. Through the program, students will get a chance to work with PhD mentors from top universities like Harvard, Yale, MIT, and more to write research papers in their field of interest. You can pick from a wide range of subjects and topics including engineering, business, psychology, and social science. This is a great opportunity for students interested in interdisciplinary research and want to gain in depth knowledge of a subject. 

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