8 Free Machine Learning (ML) Programs for Middle School Students
Middle school is the perfect time for you to explore new interests and build skills that can shape your future. Machine learning, one of today’s most trending fields, offers endless opportunities for innovation and discovery.
Participating in free machine learning programs for middle school students is a great way for you to stand out and explore your options in STEM and data science. Free machine learning programs for middle school students provide an engaging and supportive environment where you can learn the basics of coding, analyze data, and understand how AI models solve real-world problems.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of free machine learning programs for middle school students for you to check out. Let’s get started!
1. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
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. Financial aid available
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual course designed to introduce middle school students to the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. For over 25 hours, you will explore Python programming, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. The program includes lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. By the end of it, you will have completed a hands-on project on a topic of your choice, such as building a music genre classifier or creating an algorithm to recommend educational resources.
2. The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
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
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a virtual, hands-on program for middle school students that gives you the chance to work closely with a mentor and explore your academic interests by creating a project. In the first four weeks of the program, you'll explore different topics in your chosen track. During weeks 5 – 6, you'll focus on one topic and define your project. Then, you'll build your project with guidance from your mentor, using everything you've learned. Mentors are scholars from top universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford., and the program itself was founded by Harvard and Oxford graduates.
3. Havard University’s Fundamentals of TinyML
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students with an idea of Basic Scripting in Python
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Self-paced. 5 weeks
Cost: Free ($299 for certification)
Fundamentals of TinyML introduces students to the basics of machine learning, deep learning, and embedded systems. You will learn how to collect data, understand machine learning algorithms, and train simple models. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the fundamentals of TinyML and ready to explore more advanced topics, like applying TinyML to real devices and deploying models to TinyML devices in future courses.
4. MIT DynaMIT
Location: MIT, Boston, MA
Eligibility: Middle school students entering 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grades in the coming school year
Application Deadline: Typically in April. Fill out this interest form for updates on the 2025 program
Program Dates: Mid to late August 2025 (1 week for rising 6th – 7th graders, 1 week for rising 8th – 9th graders)
Cost: Free
MIT’s dynaMIT is a free STEM summer program for students in the greater Boston area who have limited access to STEM opportunities. During the week, you'll take part in hands-on science and engineering experiments, work with MIT student mentors, and connect with other students. Past activities have included exploring math patterns in daily life, learning about diseases, solving mock detective cases with fingerprints, studying the life cycle of stars, and working with Arduino microcontrollers.
5. Google’s Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Anyone can apply
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
In this program, you will learn to implement the latest machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies with courses on Vertex AI, BigQuery, TensorFlow, and more. It will help boost your AI skills, advance your career, and prepare you for roles in machine learning or software development.
You will learn to build foundational knowledge in generative AI through the beginner course, Introduction to Generative AI. Progressing to the intermediate level, you will explore applications of generative AI with Gemini for Google Cloud. At the advanced stage, you will master cutting-edge techniques in Generative AI for Developers. Additionally, hands-on courses for machine learning engineers will provide real-world experience, teaching you how to design and build machine learning systems.
6. Udemy – What is Machine Learning?
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to all
Application Deadline: None
Program Dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
Udemy’s “What is Machine Learning?” course provides a gentle introduction to the three broad areas of machine learning: Supervised, Unsupervised, and Reinforcement Learning. Designed for all learners, it requires no prior experience with machine learning, Python, or programming, and no specific math background.
The course focuses on explaining key concepts using examples, plots, and animations, minimizing the use of complex mathematics to ensure accessibility. Python demonstrations illustrate machine learning in action, and learners are encouraged to experiment with the provided demo codes. Additional resources, including sources of data and publicly available software packages, are shared to support learning further.
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Anyone can apply
Application Deadline: None; only registration is required
Program Dates: Available all year round
Cost: Free
AI for Oceans is a program designed by Code.org in partnership with Microsoft. It combines marine biology and artificial intelligence in a fun and accessible way. As a participant, you’ll learn about the challenges facing ocean ecosystems and how AI can help solve them. You will analyze ocean data, create AI models to study marine life, and develop AI-based solutions for pollution and climate change issues. This program is ideal for anyone interested in computer science, marine biology, or ocean conservation and is a great choice if you’re passionate about protecting our planet.
Location: Remote/In-Person
Eligibility: Middle school students
Application Deadline: None
Program Dates: Each club has its own academic year timeline
Cost: Free
GirlsWhoCode offers free clubs that teach middle school students coding concepts like loops, variables, conditionals, and functions. As a member, you’ll collaborate with others, work on real-world projects, and develop computer science skills. Clubs cover various topics and can run during summer breaks, weekends, or after school. With guidance from a Club Facilitator and free resources, you’ll enhance your coding abilities in a supportive and flexible environment.
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!
Image source - Harvard Logo