Applying to research programs in middle school can be a rewarding experience, giving you the chance to dive deeper into subjects you’re passionate about while developing invaluable skills early on. These programs introduce you to advanced topics, fostering curiosity and critical thinking as you gain confidence in your academic abilities. By participating in these programs, you can explore complex subjects, strengthen problem-solving skills, and demonstrate a clear commitment to learning.

Engineering research programs, in particular, go beyond traditional classroom learning by offering hands-on experiences through labs, experiments, and projects. These allow you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, making abstract concepts more accessible and engaging. You will also discover your strengths, explore new interests within engineering, and create projects you can showcase in future academic or competitive settings.

In addition to technical know-how, these programs help you develop practical skills in teamwork, communication, and innovation. Working alongside mentors and peers, you will learn how to tackle challenges collaboratively and gain experience in presenting ideas, which are crucial skills for any academic or professional setting. Participating in such programs can spark a deeper interest in STEM fields while building a strong foundation for high school, college, and beyond. 

Benefits of Applying to Research Programs for Middle School Students

• Early Exposure to Advanced Topics: Research programs introduce you to complex concepts beyond their regular curriculum, sparking curiosity and deepening your understanding of subjects you enjoy.

• Skill Development: Through research and experimentation, you’ll build critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that will support you in high school and beyond.

• Hands-On Learning: Many engineering programs include labs, experiments, and project-based learning, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and make learning more engaging.

• Teamwork and Communication: Working on projects with peers and mentors will help you develop collaboration and communication skills, essential for future academic and professional success.

• Building Confidence and Independence: As you explore your own research projects, you will gain confidence in your abilities and learn to work independently, preparing you for success in more advanced studies.

• Portfolio and Resume Enhancement: Completing a research program, especially in a specialized field like engineering, adds valuable experience to your portfolio, helping you stand out in applications and academic competitions.

• Mentorship Opportunities: Many programs provide access to mentors, such as university faculty or professionals in the field, who can guide you and offer insights into potential career paths in STEM.

By participating in these programs, you will not only develop academic and personal skills but also lay a strong foundation for future success in STEM. Below is a carefully selected list of 8 engineering research programs designed for middle school students like you.

1. UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science Summer Teen Research Programs

Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA

Cost: Average of $1,300 (varies by program)

Program Dates: Middle school camps typically held in June and July. Each camp has different dates. Check out here.

Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 7-12

The Lawrence Hall of Science offers a range of week-long STEM research programs at UC Berkeley, designed to you immersive, hands-on experiences in scientific exploration. If you are entering grades 7–9, you can join specific programs tailored your age group such asDesigning and Engineering Bridges, Body Systems and Biomedical Innovations, Coding and Engineering Nano-Satellites, and Solar Energy and Electrical Engineering. Each program incorporates real-world engineering challenges that will help you apply scientific principles to solve complex problems.

These programs bring science to life through hands-on, research-based approaches, giving you a deeper understanding of STEM fields while experiencing life on a college campus. You will have the opportunity to tour UC Berkeley’s facilities, engage in lab visits, connect with faculty and students, and explore potential STEM careers. Emphasizing the practical application of scientific concepts, the program also helps you foster skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking— providing an excellent foundation if you’re interested in pursuing STEM pathways.

2. Rice University R-STEM Student Summer Programs

Location: Rice University, Houston, TX

Cost: $499 per week (limited scholarships available)

Program Dates: Week A: June 24 – 28, 2024 and Week B: July 8 – 12, 2024

Application Deadline: Open until seats are filled

Eligibility: Current 6th and 7th-grade students

Rice University’s R-STEM Institute offers a variety of summer programs covering topics such as computer science, energy, biotech, physics, computer-aided design, and 3D printing. These programs are designed to introduce you to STEM through hands-on activities and problem-solving projects that change yearly to include exciting new topics and technologies.

The iRIDE (Introduction to Research and Innovative Design in Engineering) summer program is a week-long immersive experience tailored for middle school students entering grades 6 and 7. You’ll explore diverse fields within engineering while tackling real-world challenges through meaningful Capstone projects focused on community-based problems. Working closely with mentors and peers, you’ll gain an applied understanding of engineering, making it an excellent program for developing research and design skills, alongside gaining experience presenting your work.

On the other hand, the Computer Engineering Design (CED) Academy is designed to inspire you to envision yourselves as future scientists and engineers through hands-on design experiences. Through the program, you will connect STEM concepts—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—to real-world applications using cutting-edge technology. At CED Academy, you will learn the fundamentals of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) programming and modern manufacturing techniques, focusing on rapid prototyping. You will also gain practical skills using 3D printers, Micro-Bits, and Rovers. At the end of the program, you will get to take home your 3D-printed creations, giving you a tangible reminder of your accomplishments.

3. Texas A&M University - Aggie STEM

Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Cost: $1499. Limited number of need-based scholarships available.

Program Dates: Week 1:June 1 - June 7, Week 2: June 8 - June 14, Week 3: June 15 - June 21, Week 4: June 22 - June 28, Week 5: Gaddis Girls Camp: June 22 - June 28 2025.

Application Deadline: April 28, 2025

Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders

Aggie STEM at Texas A&M University offers a variety of week-long STEM programs tailored for students of all ages. For middle school students like you, the Exploring STEM Week program would be a great way to dip your toes into prominent STEM fields like robotics, rocketry, coding, and engineering design. These sessions will help you build foundational skills across multiple STEM disciplines, preparing you for more advanced studies or even future research projects.

During the week, you’ll have the chance to tour STEM labs on the Texas A&M campus, offering a glimpse into cutting-edge research and facilities. A sample schedule is available to help families preview the activities before enrolling, giving you a sense of what to expect. While Aggie STEM is not a traditional research program, it’s an excellent starting point if you’re interested in STEM and enjoy project-based learning (PBL).

4. NYU’s Science of Smart Cities (SoSC)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: Free for all accepted participants

Program Dates: July 8 to August 2, 2024

Application Deadline: April 29, 2024

Eligibility: NYC residents aged 12 by the start of the program and no older than 14 can apply.

The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program at New York University invites you to explore how technology, engineering, and computer science come together to build safer, more sustainable cities. This free, three-week program offers a hands-on introduction to the rapidly growing field of smart cities, where innovation is crucial to address complex urban challenges. 

Throughout the program, you will dive into interactive activities and projects that cover coding, engineering, urban planning, and the physical sciences. You will also explore emerging technologies such as microcontrollers, sensors, and circuitry, using them to develop solutions to real-world problems like traffic congestion, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency.

Under the guidance of mentors from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, you will work in collaboration with your peers to design and build models of smart cities. At the program’s conclusion, you will have the opportunity to showcase your projects and ideas in a final presentation, in front of industry experts, university faculty, and the public. It’s an opportunity to apply your creativity and gain valuable experience in the area of smart city innovation. 

5. Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering’s SEE: Summer Engineering Experience

Location: Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering, Pittsburgh, PA

Cost: Free for all accepted participants (housing and transportation are not covered)

Program Dates: June 24 to 28, 2024 

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis

Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders are eligible to apply

The Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) at Carnegie Mellon University offers a week-long immersion in the world of engineering. This free program will give you the chance to develop skills and tackle real-world problems through innovative design. Over the week, you will take on two key projects. The first project will be a structured group assignment that will introduce you to essential engineering principles. The second project is a smaller group project where you will apply your creativity and problem-solving skills to design solutions using everyday household items, making the experience accessible and practical.

In addition to these projects, you will attend educational presentations and discussions covering a broad range of engineering topics—from foundational concepts to advanced techniques. By the end of the program, you will have honed critical skills in problem-solving and design, while gaining hands-on experience in addressing real-world challenges.

6. NYU’s Sounds of New York City (SONYC)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: Free for all accepted participants

Program Dates: July 8 to August 2, 2024 

Application Deadline: April 29, 2024

Eligibility: Students who live in New York City and are age 12 by the start of the program, but no older than 14, are eligible to apply

The Sounds of New York City (SONYC) program at NYU is an free, interactive opportunity for  students to explore STEM through the lens of New York City’s vibrant urban environment. Designed to spark curiosity, this program dives into topics like engineering, computer science, and the study of natural phenomena such as sound and waves, offering a unique blend of hands-on learning and real-world application. . Through SONYC, you will explore the inner workings of microcontrollers, sensors, and other hardware components, learning the fundamentals of coding, circuitry, and electronics along the way. The program emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, showing you how scientists and engineers use these tools to solve real-world challenges.

By the end of the program, you will apply your new knowledge to create innovative smart city technologies,  culminating in a final presentation to your peers, subject matter experts, and the general public, at an end-of-program expo. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving abilities while contributing to the future of urban technology.

7. Georgia Tech’s CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S.

Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

Cost: $400 to $650 per participant; needs-based scholarships available.

Program Dates: Typically from June to July

Application Deadline: Deadline varies based on the program opted.

Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders are eligible to apply

The CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. (Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEAM) at Georgia Tech offers middle school students immersive one- to two-week residential programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM). These engaging educational experiences are designed to spark curiosity  and build a strong foundation inSTEAM fields. 

During the program, you will explore a variety of topics, ranging from coding and 3D game design to engineering basics, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), psychology, and film production. Whether you want to design your own video game, or dive into the world of energy generation and industrial engineering, Summer P.E.A.K.S. offers a wide array of courses that match your  interests.

Led by Georgia Tech faculty, staff, students, and experienced science and math educators, the program ensures that students receive expert guidance and personalized mentorship. Through interactive projects and activities, you’ll develop skills inproblem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, making this program an opportunity for you to deepen your understanding of STEAM.

8. MIT Materials Science Summer Programs for Middle School Students

Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA

Cost: Varies (check for specific details)

Application Deadline: Varies by year

Program Dates: Summer (exact dates vary)

Eligibility: 7th and 8th grade students from Cambridge public middle schools

The MIT Materials Science and Engineering Science and Engineering Program offers middle school students an opportunity to explore the fascinating world of materials science. Founded in 1992, this program is designed to introduce seventh and eighth-grade students from Cambridge public schools with a week-long, hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of materials science and engineering. 

Throughout the  program, you will participate in interactive activities that explore how various materials behave and how their properties can be manipulated for specific applications. These activities will help you develop a foundational understanding of concepts like the material structure, properties, and engineering processes.

The program also offers a chance to collaborate  with peers and work closely with a dedicated science teacher in a supportive environment. By spending time on the MIT campus, you will gain a first-hand look at life at a world-renowned research institution while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific inquiry skills.

Bonus Program: The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Fully Virtual

Cost: $1990. Financial aid available for eligible students

Program Dates: The upcoming Winter cohort starts on December 16, 2024 and runs for 8 weeks.

Application Deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines throughout the year.Winter Cohort application deadline is November 24, 2024.

Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) offers middle school students a unique opportunity to explore their academic interests while working one-on-one with a mentor. These mentors are top scholars from prestigious universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE, providing students with unparalleled guidance and support. Founded by a Harvard and Oxford PhD, the program is designed to be rigorous and fully virtual, making it accessible to students from around the globe. 

JEP encourages you to engage deeply with your interests by developing a project that showcases your learning, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Through this personalized mentorship, you  will gain invaluable experience in academic research, critical thinking, and project development.

The program also offers need-based financial aid for families who qualify, making this an accessible opportunity for a diverse range of students. If you’re eager to work with some of the brightest minds in academia and create a project you’re proud of, the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is the perfect platform for you.

Stephen Turban

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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