7 University AI Programs for Middle School Students
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important across industries, reshaping fields like healthcare, finance, and education. For middle school students, university-led AI programs offer an opportunity to gain foundational knowledge and hands-on experience. These programs provide access to expert instructors and real-world applications, helping students develop technical skills, critical thinking, and creativity. Early exposure to AI can prepare students for future academic and career paths in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
This article highlights eight AI programs that give middle school students a chance to explore the field, create projects, and gain valuable insights into emerging technologies.
1. Berkeley Coding Academy – Summer 2025
The Berkeley Coding Academy Summer Program offers middle and high school students ages 12-18 a five-week introduction to computer science. Students learn topics like Python programming, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and AI Applications. The curriculum combines theory with practical coding exercises and projects, helping students develop technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Middle school students will work alongside high schoolers, collaborating on coding projects and enhancing their skills. Personalized one-on-one sessions are available for those seeking a more customized learning experience. The program encourages critical thinking, creativity, and an understanding of the tech landscape.
Location: Online (via Zoom).
Eligibility: Students ages 12-18.
Cost: Not specified (you may inquire directly with the academy for pricing).
Program Dates: June 2025 (specific weeks are yet to be announced).
Application Deadline: Admissions deadlines are yet to be announced.
2. HarvardX: Machine Learning and AI with Python
The Machine Learning and AI with Python program is designed for middle schoolers interested in how computers make decisions using data. Over six weeks, students will learn to build decision trees and explore more advanced models like random forests and gradient boosting. The program includes hands-on activities and real-world case studies, helping students develop skills to train models, analyze results, and address challenges like overfitting or bias. By the end, participants will have a solid understanding of Python in machine learning, laying the groundwork for further studies or a career in data science.
Location: Online (edX platform).
Eligibility: Middle school students with intermediate-level Python and statistics knowledge.
Cost: $299 USD (Free to audit without a certificate).
Program Dates: January 8, 2025 – May 14, 2025.
Application Deadline: Open until the session ends, subject to availability.
3. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Summer Camp
This summer camp is for middle and high school students interested in learning about artificial intelligence (AI). Over one week, students will explore key AI concepts like machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision. Through hands-on projects, they will build AI models using Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. Instructors will guide students in developing a basic understanding of AI and applying it to solve real-world problems. By the end of the camp, students will have created their own AI models and gained foundational skills for further exploration in technology.
Location: Miami Dade College (West Campus).
Eligibility: Students aged 12–17.
Cost: Not specified.
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (specific dates to be announced).
Application Deadline: Not currently open (inquire here for updates).
4. Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence at MIT
The Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence course at the Beaver Works Summer Institute offers students a chance to explore AI and game development in real-world contexts. The program focuses on using machine learning and game-like models to address challenges, such as AI in self-driving ambulances. Students will learn skills in systems modeling, AI for gaming, and backend game development, while considering ethical and human factors in AI technologies. The month-long course includes hands-on projects where students design experiments, build game code, and analyze data, gaining a solid foundation in AI, software development, and teamwork.
Location: Courses are conducted both online, and at the Beaver Works Summer Institute, MIT campus at Cambridge, MA.
Eligibility: Open to students living in the US with basic knowledge of Python.
Cost: visit the program’s official website or contact the Beaver Works Summer Institute directly for pricing details.
Program Dates: The online course opens on February 1, and the summer program will take place in July. Specific dates for the July program are yet to be announced.
Application Deadline: The exact application deadline is yet to be announced.
5. A.I. Adventures – Intro to Machine Learning
This one-week program introduces middle school students to machine learning and AI. Using block-based coding software, you'll learn how AI works and create interactive games and experiences, including models for image and text recognition. You’ll collaborate with teammates to build projects that combine AI concepts with creativity. By the end of the camp, you'll gain skills in coding, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Location: St. John’s Prep, Danvers, MA.
Eligibility: Students entering grades 4–5.
Cost: $625
Program Dates: August 11–15, 2025 (Full Day: 9 AM – 4 PM)
Application Deadline: Currently open until spots are filled.
6. Harvard University: CS50's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
This introductory course, designed by Harvard University, covers foundational AI topics using Python. You’ll explore areas like graph search algorithms, reinforcement learning, and machine learning, with hands-on projects such as game-playing engines and handwriting recognition. The course is suitable for students with basic Python knowledge and offers practical experience with Python libraries for machine learning. It’s a solid starting point for those interested in AI and computer science.
Location: Online (via edX).
Eligibility: Open to all learners with basic programming experience.
Cost: Free to audit; $299 for an optional verified certificate.
Program Dates: Sessions are available all year long (self-paced).
Application Deadline: None; open enrollment.
These free, self-paced Google AI courses are designed for middle school students interested in AI. They cover topics like Generative AI and Machine Learning, breaking down complex concepts into clear, manageable lessons. The courses allow flexibility to learn at your own pace, whether during summer break or the school year. You can access them from anywhere, making it easy to get started with AI.
Explore the full range of courses available from Google AI, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world, here.
Location: Remote.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible for this program.
Cost: Free.
Program Dates: The courses are available all year round
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions, simply registrar while starting a course.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers the opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more. Through these programs, you'll have the chance to create unique, personalized projects. Last year, over 1,000 students learned AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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