8 Data Science Courses for Middle School Students
Data science is becoming an essential skill in our rapidly developing technology-driven world. It’s not just about numbers and charts; it’s about uncovering patterns, solving real-world problems, and making sense of the world through data.
As a middle schooler, enrolling in data science courses for middle school students can develop essential analytical skills and open doors to future academic and career opportunities. Data science courses for middle school students offer a hands-on approach, helping you explore your interests while building a foundation in one of today’s most in-demand fields.
If you’re eager to explore a field combining creativity, logic, and technology, check out these data science courses for middle school students listed below.
1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary for each cohort. February 9, 2025, for the spring cohort
Program Dates: 8 weeks from March 3, 2025, for the spring cohort
Cost: $2,400; financial aid available
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers an engaging 8-week experience for middle school students. As a participant, you will be paired with a mentor and will get to explore your academic interests and develop a meaningful project. Mentors are accomplished scholars from top-tier institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
Throughout the program, you will progress through structured phases. You will study four unique topics within your chosen track in the first four weeks. Weeks five and six intensify this exploration, allowing you to focus deeply on a single area of interest. The final two weeks will be dedicated to project creation, where you will work closely with your mentors to bring your ideas to life.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Online
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025, for the spring cohort
Program Dates: 10 weeks. The spring cohort dates are March 9, 2025 – May 11, 2025
Cost: $1,990. Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: Middle school 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 and topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You will learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio.
By the end of the program, you will have worked on a hands-on project in a subject of your choice! 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
Application Deadline: N/A. However, applications are currently open
Program Dates: July – August. Check the exact dates here
Cost: Starting from $1,999
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12 – 14
UC Berkeley’s Coding Academy offers a virtual learning experience for students eager to delve into Python, Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI. The program features a specialized curriculum that includes a 4K video library, slides, daily guidelines, problem sets, and project instructions. As a participant, you will attend live online lectures with access to real-time one-on-one and chat-based support.
Through this program, you will create coding notebooks that evolve into portfolio-ready projects, ideal for school applications, internships, and science fairs. Advanced year-round classes focus on topics like Deep Learning, Advanced Machine Learning, AI Applications, and research projects, equipping you with the skills needed to excel in our rapidly growing tech landscape.
4. UCSD’s Sally Ride Science Academy: Introduction to Python Programming and Machine Learning
Location: San Diego, CA
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: July 7, 2025 – July 25, 2025
Cost: TBD for 2025
Eligibility: Middle school students
UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy provides middle school students with engaging STEM programs, including the Introduction to Python Programming and Machine Learning course. This hands-on course introduces you to Python programming, focusing on foundational coding concepts and real-world applications in machine learning.
During this program, you will get to build a basic image classifier using Google’s Teachable Machine and integrate it into both a web page and a Raspberry Pi platform. Additionally, the course covers essential skills, such as writing Python scripts for math operations, conditional statements, and loops, as well as creating and using custom Python functions.
5. MST@MSU: Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Michigan State University
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Application Deadline: May 2025
Program Dates: July 7 – July 11, 2025 (tentatively)
Cost: $950 commuter, $2,100 residential; need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7 – 8
The Mathematics, Science, and Technology program at Michigan State University (MST@MSU) is a rigorous research-focused course, tailored for middle school students passionate about STEM. This immersive experience pushes students to delve into advanced topics through hands-on investigations and problem-solving that go far beyond the standard curriculum. Whether participating as a commuter or a residential student, MST@MSU provides a unique chance to explore STEM fields in depth while working alongside peers and mentors who share your enthusiasm.
In this course, you will engage in focused, two-hour daily research sessions that utilize real-world tools and professional techniques in areas like data science and engineering. MST@MSU is designed not just to build knowledge but also to inspire leadership and teamwork, ensuring students gain critical skills for future STEM endeavors.
6. Data Science Summer Camp @ Ohio State University
Location: Pomerene Hall, Columbus, OH
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Program Dates: July 7 – 11, 2025
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Middle school students within the State of Ohio entering grades 7 – 9 in autumn; students from Columbus City Schools and underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply
The Data Science Summer Camp at Ohio State University offers a dynamic introduction to data science for middle school students entering grades 7 – 9. In this 5-day program, you will learn the core principles of data analytics and its real-world applications. Throughout the week, you will also explore how data science leverages scientific methods and processes to extract meaningful insights from data.
A key focus of the program includes examining how gender, race, and cultural biases can impact data interpretation and influence societal dynamics. You will engage in team-based projects led by mentors, enhancing your analytical and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the camp offers unique opportunities to interact with professional scientists and college students, providing insights into educational pathways and career options in data science.
7. Applied Data Science with Python at UCLA
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Application Deadline: Applications are currently open; the deadline is unspecified.
Program Dates: June 29, 2025 – August 18, 2025
Cost: $1,500 enrollment fee + $100 application fee
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
Offered through Summer Discovery, this course introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of programming and applied data science. Beginning with binary computation, algorithms, and basic data types like variables and functions, you’ll build a strong foundation in Python programming. As part of the curriculum, you'll also develop modules to implement object-oriented problem-solving techniques.
Beyond the basics, the course incorporates principles from computer engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), mathematics, and statistics. You’ll explore how data science can drive innovations in various fields, learning to analyze data, create visualizations, and develop machine learning models. By the end of the program, you’ll use your newly acquired coding skills to generate insights and solve real-world challenges.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Application Deadline: Currently unspecified
Program Dates: July 6 – July 25, 2025
Cost: $6,499 for commuters | $8,999 for residential participants
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
Summer Discovery at Yale University offers middle schoolers a chance to immerse themselves in academic exploration alongside enrichment activities like campus workshops, off-campus excursions, and social events. One of the data science courses for middle school students you can try is the Applied Data Science with Python course. It is designed to help you develop essential programming and problem-solving skills.
Starting with programming basics, such as binary computation, algorithms, and data types, you will be introduced to Python and object-oriented design principles. As the course progresses, you will delve deeper into advanced concepts, including data visualization, machine learning, and statistical analysis. By the conclusion, you’ll be equipped to apply your programming skills to interpret data and tackle real-world challenges, all while building a strong foundation for future academic pursuits.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program designed for high schoolers and founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to allow students to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
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