8 University Engineering Programs for Middle School Students
If you’re an ambitious middle schooler, this stage in your education is a good time to dig deeper into subjects you care about, sharpen your skills, and start envisioning possible academic or career pathways. University programs give you a unique chance to explore your interests more fully, working alongside experts and experiencing hands-on learning that breaks away from traditional classroom settings. These immersive experiences cover fields like engineering, technology, and science, letting you tackle real-world problems, develop problem-solving abilities, and apply your learnings in practical, meaningful ways. In these programs, you won’t just learn advanced concepts early; you’ll also build connections with peers who share your enthusiasm.
Here are eight opportunities for middle school students eager to dive into engineering topics.
1. MIT DynaMIT
DynaMIT, a free, week-long program at MIT, introduces middle school students to cutting-edge STEM subjects, with a focus on software and computer engineering. On the MIT campus, you’ll engage in hands-on activities, from experiments to team projects. Each day is structured around a theme—like electromagnetism or forensics—that builds toward a final project by week’s end. Guided by MIT student mentors, you’ll tackle challenges that encourage critical thinking and practical problem-solving.
The curriculum pushes beyond typical classroom content, emphasizing skills in coding and software design. By participating in experimental activities and interactive workshops, you’ll get a head start on understanding technology and engineering, applying complex concepts in an approachable way.
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Cost: Free!
Program Dates: The program typically runs a week in August.
Application Deadline: Applications close on March 10.
Eligibility: Middle school students in the Boston area are eligible to apply.
The U-Design program at Boston University’s College of Engineering offers workshops where you’ll learn engineering through designing and building. Each workshop is limited to 20 students and highlights the engineering design process, letting you work alongside BU mentors on real-world challenges. In “Electrifying Discoveries,” for example, you’ll explore electromagnetism by creating circuits and motors and even designing your own security system.
If robotics interests you, the “Introduction to Robotics” workshop lets you build and program robots using LEGO Spike Prime kits. You’ll tackle challenges like navigating obstacle courses or robot sumo matches, coding your creations with Scratch. A capstone project gives you a chance to invent something unique, and you’ll leave with materials to keep exploring at home.
Location: Boston University College of Engineering, Boston, MA.
Cost: $650.
Program dates: The program typically runs for a week in July.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
3. Penn GEMS
Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) is a week-long camp at the University of Pennsylvania that dives into engineering disciplines like bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, and computing. You’ll conduct experiments, build prototypes, and work with peers to tackle real-world problems, all while learning from Penn’s engineering students and faculty. Workshops blend theory with practical application, showing you how STEM impacts daily life and industry.
You’ll design materials with unique properties, explore the world of nanotech, or create computer graphics. Collaborating with instructors and new friends, you’ll develop problem-solving and teamwork skills, getting a firsthand look at university-level academic life.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Cost: $650. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Program dates: The program typically runs for a week in June.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7-9 are eligible to apply.
4. NYU Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)
NYU’s Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) prepares New York middle school students for college and future STEM careers. You’ll dive into courses in engineering, math, and other STEM fields. The program emphasizes skill-building in research, problem-solving, and applying scientific concepts, positioning you well for college admissions and advanced studies.
STEP also includes college prep workshops, test strategy sessions, and career exploration activities. By the end, you’ll have sharpened your academic and research skills, built a clearer picture of STEM pathways, and connected with a supportive community to guide you forward.
Location: New York University, New York, NY.
Cost: $200.
Program dates: October 19, 2024 - May 3, 2025.
Application deadline: Summer applications will open on March 1, 2025.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7-9 who are New York residents, with an average of 80 in Math, Science, and English, are eligible to apply.
Stanford’s seeME (Stanford Exploration of Engineering and Mechanics) program offers middle school students a one-day deep dive into mechanical engineering. You’ll get a firsthand look at college-level concepts, exploring areas like wind energy, autonomous vehicles, industrial engineering, and data science.
Guided by Stanford graduate engineering students, you’ll engage in practical, hands-on activities that mirror real-world engineering challenges, such as designing sustainable energy solutions or working with data to improve health technology outcomes. By the end of the session, you may even present your work, applying the skills you’ve developed through teamwork and design-based activities.
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Cost: Free!
Program dates: To be announced for 2025.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
6. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program - Engineering Track
In the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program’s Engineering Track, you’ll spend eight weeks delving into engineering concepts and creating a personal project. During the first four weeks, you’ll explore a range of topics like mechanics, electronics, or environmental engineering, experimenting and learning through practical activities. Once you’ve found your area of interest, the program lets you zero in on that field, dedicating time to develop a project with guidance from your mentor. Your final work might be a research report, a detailed presentation, or even a hands-on prototype.
One-on-one mentorship from scholars at institutions like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE ensures that you receive tailored support as you work through your ideas. The program doesn’t just focus on engineering skills; it also emphasizes foundational abilities in research, writing, and critical thinking, preparing you for future academic pursuits.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $1,990. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Program dates: The program typically runs for eight weeks and has multiple cohorts available throughout the year.
Application deadline: Application deadlines vary depending on the cohort.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
7. University of Michigan Thinkabit Lab Summer Camp
Hosted at the Michigan Engineering Zone, you’ll engage in a week-long exploration of engineering and technology at the Thinkabit Lab Summer Program. This experience combines hands-on learning with design-based projects. You’ll tackle activities like building robotic crafts, learning the basics of programming, and understanding how technology influences our daily lives. Engineers and instructors provide guidance, helping you navigate each challenge.
By the end of the week, you’ll create a working prototype, giving you a tangible sense of how engineering applies to the real world while sharpening your skills in teamwork and innovative thinking.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Cost: Free!
Program dates: The program typically runs for a week in August.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in April.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8 are eligible to apply.
8. NYU Science of Smart Cities
NYU’s Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program introduces middle school students to engineering, computer science, and technology with a focus on sustainable urban design. You’ll dive into energy systems, environmental science, and urban planning while working hands-on with coding, sensors, microcontrollers, and electronics. Activities are structured to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, like using data collection and circuitry to address urban challenges.
Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with peers on a project aimed at solving a specific issue facing modern cities. This project-based learning approach culminates in a final presentation, where you’ll showcase your solution.
Location: New York University, New York, NY.
Cost: Free!
Program dates: The program typically runs for four weeks from July to August.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Eligibility: Middle school students between the ages 12-14 and who are NYC residents are eligible to apply.
One more option - Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers
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 as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students 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.
Image Source - NYU Logo