8 Free Data Science Programs for Middle School Students
For middle school students curious about technology, analysis, and how data shapes our world, free data science programs can be a great opportunity. Data science is a powerful tool, integral across a number of fields—from tech and healthcare to finance and environmental sciences. Not only can these programs give you a head start in understanding data, but they can also help you build skills in programming, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.
By participating in data science programs early on, students gain exposure to vital concepts like machine learning, data visualization, and basic statistics in a hands-on, engaging way. These programs help students build confidence in STEM, introduce them to real-world applications of data, and let them explore potential career paths in science and technology. With free programs, there’s no financial risk—just the opportunity to learn beyond the standard school curriculum, setting a foundation for future academics and a career in tech!
Let’s look at eight free data science programs perfect for middle school students; each offering a blend of data science education tailored for young learners.
1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Fully Virtual
Cost: $1990. Full financial aid is offered.
Application Deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines. Winter cohort application deadline is November 24, 2024.
Program Dates: Winter cohort begins December 16, 2024, and runs for 8 weeks
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP) offers a unique opportunity for middle school students to work closely with top-tier mentors and delve into their academic interests. You will collaborate one-on-one with mentors from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE, gaining unparalleled guidance and support. Founded by a Harvard and Oxford PhD, this rigorous and fully virtual program allows students to participate from anywhere in the world. You will be able to explore your passions and develop a personalized project that demonstrates creativity, problem-solving abilities, and academic growth. JEP emphasizes academic research, critical thinking, and project development, providing students with valuable experience in these areas.
To ensure accessibility, the program offers need-based financial aid for qualifying families. If you're ready to explore your interests and work with some of the brightest minds in academia, the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is the perfect opportunity for you.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,790. Full financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: The upcoming winter cohort deadline is December 1, 2024
Program Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends)
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers Program offers middle school students a comprehensive, virtual introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over the course of 25 hours, you will gain hands-on experience with Python programming, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. This interactive learning experience provides students with the opportunity to explore real-world applications of AI. The program features a low student-to-mentor ratio of 5:1, ensuring personalized attention during both lectures and group sessions. You will also have the chance to work on a final project, where you can apply their newfound skills. Past projects have included creating machine learning models for music genre classification and developing algorithms for personalized educational resources.
AI Trailblazers is ideal for students eager to dive into the rapidly growing field of AI, develop coding skills, and engage in meaningful, real-world projects. Need-based financial aid is available, making it an accessible opportunity for young innovators to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.
3. MIT RAISE — Creativity and AI Workshop
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Varies
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6-8) with an interest in AI.
The Creativity and AI Workshop from MIT’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) program offers a hands-on experience for middle school students interested in exploring the creative side of artificial intelligence. Designed as an introduction to AI and machine learning, this free workshop provides students with the tools and knowledge to use AI in artistic and creative projects. Throughout the program, students will dive into creative machine-learning techniques, learning how to collaborate with AI tools to produce art. The curriculum includes both “plugged” activities, which involve digital devices and hardware, and “unplugged” activities, where students can explore concepts without the need for technology.
As a flexible, self-paced curriculum, RAISE’s resources are perfect for students or educators looking to integrate AI concepts into their learning. A highlight of the workshop is the focus on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), an AI platform capable of generating original works of art, music, and other media, providing students with a firsthand look at how AI can inspire creativity. You can explore additional workshops available on the RAISE website, including topics like Conversational AI Tools and PICaboo. These modules allow for a broad exploration of AI applications, making RAISE a great option for students just beginning their AI journey.
4. Bootstrap’s Data Science Course
Location: Cleveland, OH
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Workshop registration closes July 12, 2024
Program Dates: Cleveland workshop runs July 29 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-12.
Bootstrap’s Data Science Course, developed by a team at Brown University, brings research-based data science and computer science lessons into middle and high school classrooms. Designed for grades 7-12, this program provides data science modules tailored for subjects like math, science, business, and social studies, making it ideal for students interested in exploring data analysis across various fields.
Through the program, you’ll learn key data science concepts like measures of center, data visualization (for statistics), consumer demand (for business), and the role of data in government and policy (for civics and social studies). Bootstrap is a great way to strengthen analytical skills and see how data science is applied in real-world contexts, from economics to public policy.
5. AI Planet: Data Science Bootcamp
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Program Dates: Self-paced, available year-round
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-11.
AI Planet: Data Science Bootcamp is a 5 week comprehensive, free, and self-paced course designed for learners at all levels. Covering fundamental to advanced data science concepts, including Python programming, data analysis, and machine learning, the bootcamp is taught by industry experts. It features weekly modules, live sessions, and practical applications using real-world datasets. This bootcamp is perfect for anyone seeking to develop data science skills or explore machine learning techniques with a flexible, accessible curriculum.
The 5-Week Data Science Bootcamp was designed to help data science enthusiasts learn key concepts and their real-world applications. Due to high demand and successful participation, all learning materials—including slides, notebooks, and live sessions—are now available for free. This community-driven initiative encourages learners to complete the course at their own pace, with a focus on passion and dedication. It's a great opportunity for those interested in data science to access top-tier resources and expand their skills.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: None; registration is open year-round.
Program Dates: Available year-round
Eligibility: Different courses are offered for different age groups.
AI for Oceans, a collaborative program by Code.org and Microsoft, offers an innovative blend of marine biology and artificial intelligence. Designed to be accessible and engaging, this free virtual program introduces participants to AI, machine learning, and important ethical considerations, going beyond basic coding concepts to train actual machine learning models. Throughout the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in AI by customizing a pre-trained model from the TensorFlow MobileNet project, as well as working with a Support-Vector Machine. Through these tools, you’ll analyze oceanic data, explore the intricacies of marine ecosystems, and learn how to use AI to address critical environmental challenges. With a focus on real-world applications, participants will learn how AI can help tackle issues like ocean pollution, climate change, and marine conservation.
Along with that, Computer Science Discoveries is a beginner-level course for grades 6-10. The curriculum covers a variety of topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Data, Web Design, Physical Computing, App Design, Games and Animations, Art and Design, and Programming, using tools like App Lab, Game Lab, AI Lab, and Web Lab. Professional learning options include facilitator-led workshops and self-paced modules. The course offers accessibility features such as text-to-speech, closed captioning, and an immersive reader and is available in multiple languages, including Italian, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Slovak.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: None; only registration is required at the time of starting a course.
Program Dates: The courses are available all year round.
Eligibility: Open to everyone.
The Google AI Courses are a collection of self-paced learning modules designed to introduce students to generative AI and machine learning. These free virtual courses offer middle school students an accessible introduction to AI, breaking down complex concepts into manageable and engaging lessons. Covering foundational topics like linear algebra for AI, machine learning problem framing, and the basics of machine learning, these courses are ideal for building a strong base in AI and computer science.
You can take these courses at your own pace, making it easy to integrate AI learning into your summer break or school year. With courses available year-round and accessible from anywhere, Google AI Courses provide a flexible and valuable opportunity for young learners interested in the exciting world of artificial intelligence.
Location: Virtual / In-person
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: None; only registration is required.
Program Dates: Each club has its own timeline for the academic year, which you can read about before joining/making a club of your own.
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 3 and above.
GirlsWhoCode hosts Clubs, which are free groups for students in Grade 3 and above. These clubs can be virtual or in-person and the objective is to help students learn computer science concepts like loops, variables, conditionals, and functions. As a Club member, you get a chance to engage in real-world projects, collaborate with peers, and develop your computer science skills. Clubs cover various topics and can run during summer breaks, weekends, or after school. With the guidance of a Club Facilitator and access to free tutorials and meeting guides, you'll enhance your coding skills in a flexible and safe learning environment.
If you are looking to learn while engaging with like-minded peers and be part of a community, this is a good fit for you. You can apply to join clubs/form clubs using this link.
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