8 Machine Learning (ML) Programs for Middle School Students
Middle school is the perfect time to start exploring specialized fields like machine learning and artificial intelligence, especially if you’re curious about how technology shapes the world. Participating in programs dedicated to ML not only deepens your understanding of cutting-edge topics but also sets a strong foundation for future learning.
These programs allow you to dive into exciting subjects such as AI, data science, and neural networks while engaging in hands-on projects that transform theoretical knowledge into real-world applications. Whether it’s training your first ML model, coding with Python, or tackling challenges like AI ethics, these opportunities encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
Here is our pick of 8 machine-learning programs for middle school students that offer an ideal early start into the fascinating and fast-growing world of AI and ML!
1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an exciting 8-week remote program for middle school students eager to explore their academic interests while working on a personalized project. With mentorship from scholars at world-class universities like Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, you’ll dive into exciting topics within AI and ML. For students fascinated by machine learning, the first four weeks introduce key concepts like algorithms, data patterns, and AI applications across four distinct topics. Weeks five and six allow you to zero in on a specific area, refining your understanding and shaping your project idea.
The final phase focuses on bringing your vision to life, whether it’s training an ML model, creating a prototype, or presenting your findings in a research paper. Guided by expert mentors, you’ll tackle real-world questions, develop critical problem-solving skills, and gain hands-on experience in machine learning. By the end of the program, you’ll not only have an academic project but also a solid foundation to continue exploring the world of AI and beyond.
Location: Remote
Cost:
Individual Research Program: $2,990
Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900
Research Fellowship $8,900
Professor Premium Publication Program: $8,900
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort; for the upcoming winter cohort, the deadline is December 29, 2024
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6-8
The Veritas AI Trailblazers program offers an engaging pathway for middle school students to dive into the fundamentals of Python programming and core principles of ML and AI. Over the span of 10 weeks (or an accelerated 2-week summer option), you’ll explore topics such as data analysis, regression, classification, and neural networks. The program kicks off with foundational learning in Python and AI, followed by a deep dive into practical applications like exploratory data analysis and image classification. Alongside these technical skills, you’ll engage in critical discussions on AI ethics, examining how AI impacts society.
Each session includes interactive lectures and small-group mentoring with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, ensuring personalized guidance. The program culminates in a collaborative group project, where you and a small team will apply what you've learned to solve a real-world problem - from training a neural network for image recognition to tackling a classification challenge and more!
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,990 (need-based financial aid available)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts are available throughout the year; for the Spring 2025 cohort, sessions run from March 9, 2025, to May 11, 2025 (Sundays)
Application deadline: January 5, 2025, for the Spring 2025 cohort
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6-8
3. MIT Beaver Works Middle School Program
The MIT Beaver Works Middle School Program introduces middle school students to engineering, AI, and ML through a structured, hands-on approach. In this four-week program, you will engage in fields like robotics and autonomous vehicles, applying programming and design skills to real-world challenges. RACECAR 1 provides an introduction to robotics for beginners, while RACECAR 2 builds on existing knowledge for more advanced exploration. Python programming is also a core component, guiding students in developing basic ML applications and understanding data-driven decision-making.
Another focus of the program is assistive technology design, where you prototype solutions to support individuals with disabilities. Emphasizing collaboration, participants work in small teams to address practical problems, combining technical concepts with innovative thinking. The experience concludes with a project showcase, allowing you to present your work and gain insight into how AI and ML can be used to solve complex challenges.
Location: Virtual or in-person at MIT campus, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Program dates: Typically a 4-week program starting the Monday following the 4th of July weekend
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May
Eligibility: Middle school students who are U.S citizens or Permanent Residents
4. GirlsWhoCode
Girls Who Code Clubs provide a supportive space for middle school students to explore coding while building valuable skills in a collaborative environment. Tailored for grades 6–12, these clubs offer a free and flexible curriculum, making coding accessible regardless of your prior experience. Through hands-on projects, you’ll delve into topics like algorithms, web design, and basic programming languages, including Python. The curriculum also emphasizes real-world applications, allowing you to create meaningful projects that tackle challenges in your community or explore innovative technology ideas inspired by trailblazing women in tech.
Clubs meet after school, on weekends, or during the summer and are supported by trained facilitators who guide your learning journey. Activities are designed to be both fun and educational, combining coding tutorials with creative problem-solving challenges. Whether you’re designing websites, building simple games, or experimenting with data visualization, Girls Who Code Clubs encourage curiosity and foster a sense of community, helping you grow both your technical skills and confidence in the ever-evolving world of technology.
Location: Remote and in-person options available across various locations
Cost: Free
Program dates: Ongoing throughout the school year; clubs typically meet 1-2 hours per week after school or on weekends.
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all middle school students
5. Duke Continuing Studies Program: Technology and AI
The Duke Continuing Studies Program in Technology and AI is an ideal starter program that allows middle school students to explore the exciting world of AI and ML. Through engaging coursework, you'll explore how AI and ML are transforming areas such as business, healthcare, and everyday technology. The program delves into core concepts, including neural networks, data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and natural language processing — the technology behind AI tools like ChatGPT.
Along with the technical aspects, the program focuses on critical thinking and collaboration. You'll participate in practical projects that encourage you to think critically about the societal impact of AI, exploring questions such as how these technologies benefit or challenge our world. From decision-making to understanding the ethical implications of AI, this program equips you with the knowledge to think about the broader consequences of these powerful technologies.
Location: Duke University campus, Durham, NC
Cost: As of 2024:
Residential: $2,150
Commuter: $1,525
Financial aid available
Program dates: July 21 - 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Application deadline: Applications are typically open from December to April.
Eligibility: Open to middle school students in grades 6-8
6. HarvardX: CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
HarvardX’s CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python offers a deep dive into the principles and algorithms that drive modern AI, ideal for middle school students eager to learn how artificial intelligence works. In this course, you’ll explore key topics such as graph search algorithms, classification, optimization, and reinforcement learning. You’ll work with Python to build your own AI programs, gaining hands-on experience with machine learning libraries, neural networks, and natural language processing. You’ll also learn about foundational concepts like Bayesian networks, Markov models, and logical inference, which are essential for creating intelligent systems.
Throughout the course, you’ll apply these AI principles through engaging projects that help you understand how technologies like game-playing engines, handwriting recognition, and machine translation function. Whether you're interested in building smart applications or just curious about AI, this course provides a thorough introduction to the powerful tools and concepts that make AI and ML such fascinating areas of study.
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: Free to audit; $299 for a verified certificate
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to anyone with basic coding knowledge
7. Stanford University: Machine Learning Specialization
The Machine Learning Specialization is a comprehensive online program developed collaboratively by Stanford Online and DeepLearning.AI. This beginner-friendly specialization is designed to teach you the fundamentals of machine learning and how to apply these techniques to build real-world AI applications.
The specialization comprises three courses:
Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification - Learn to build and train supervised machine learning models for prediction and binary classification tasks, including linear regression and logistic regression.
Advanced Learning Algorithms - Explore advanced machine learning algorithms, including neural networks, decision trees, and tree ensemble methods.
Unsupervised Learning, Recommenders, Reinforcement Learning - Understand unsupervised learning techniques such as clustering and anomaly detection, and delve into building recommender systems and reinforcement learning models.
Throughout the program, you'll gain hands-on experience with popular machine learning libraries like NumPy, scikit-learn, and TensorFlow, enabling you to implement and deploy machine learning models effectively.
Location: Virtual
Cost: The course materials can be accessed free of charge, with an option to obtain a certificate at the regular cost of $49 per month
Program dates: Self-paced
Application deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: Open to middle school students in 8th grade
8. UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy: Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi course at UC San Diego's Sally Ride Science Academy offers an engaging introduction to coding, electronics, and hands-on applications. Using the Raspberry Pi — a compact and versatile computer — you’ll dive into Python programming while exploring the basics of circuits and electronic components like resistors, LEDs, and rotary potentiometers. The program begins with an overview of the Raspberry Pi Model B motherboard and quickly progresses to building projects such as a dimmer switch, a camera-based intruder alarm, a digital drum set, and interactive visual games.
These projects help you develop a solid foundation in Python scripting and give you a practical understanding of how software and hardware integrate to create functional devices. Creativity and problem-solving are especially emphasized in this course, as you transform your ideas into working applications, sparking curiosity about how everyday technology operates.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275
Program dates: July 7 – July 25, 2025
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May
Eligibility: Open to middle school students in grades 6-8
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!
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