Participating in computer science extracurriculars as a middle school student offers numerous advantages —  it fosters early exposure to coding, programming, and problem-solving skills, laying a strong foundation for future academic and career pursuits in technology. Engaging in extracurriculars enhances critical thinking, creativity, and logical reasoning. It also provides an opportunity for collaborative learning, teamwork, and communication. In this blog post, we’ve covered 9 computer science extracurriculars for middle school students!

1. Participate in a Hackathon

Engaging in hackathons is invaluable for middle school students passionate about computer science. These events offer a hands-on opportunity to tackle specific coding challenges within a set timeframe, encouraging students to think critically and work collaboratively. By participating, students can apply their coding knowledge to solve real-world problems, gaining practical experience and exposure to diverse technologies. 

In Duke University’s ODE Design Hackathon, students participate with their teachers and use rapid prototyping tools (such as 3-D printing, laser cutting, and Arduino programming) to design and create devices. Students are expected to develop a project like an app, game, website, or robot and bring it to life through code in QuHacks 2024. In FutureHacks Five, students must work individually or in teams of 2 to create a tech project based on a clear theme. Hackathons not only hone technical skills but also nurture creativity and teamwork, essential attributes for success in the field of computer science.

You can check out some great hackathons here!

2. Attend a Pre-College Computer Science Camp

Computer science camps provide a structured and immersive environment where students can delve into coding, programming, and other computer science concepts. The hands-on activities and projects offered in these camps allow middle schoolers to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations.

The Computer Science Summer Camp at Oakland University will cover computer programming, website coding and development, app development for mobile devices, and video game design. Summer Camps at the University of California San Diego allow students to choose from the various camps: Cartoon Animation and Beginning Programming with Scratch, Designing and Prototyping with TinkerCAD, and Creating Awesome Stop Motion Animation. 

3. Do a Computer Science Research Project

Embarking on computer science research projects is exceptionally valuable for middle schoolers keen on the subject. This hands-on experience allows them to delve into specific aspects of computer science, such as algorithm development, data analysis, or emerging technologies. Engaging in research projects encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and experimentation, helping middle schoolers develop a strong foundation in scientific inquiry. 

Veritas AI’s AI Junior Fellowship lets middle school students work 1–1 with a mentor to build their project or research paper over 12 weeks. In the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program, middle school students will get a chance to work with Ph.D. mentors from top universities like Harvard, Yale, MIT, and more to write research papers on computer science topics.

4. Participate in a Coding Competition

Coding competitions often present a variety of problem-solving challenges, honing critical thinking and algorithmic proficiency. The competitive nature of these events fosters a sense of enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants, promoting a deeper engagement with coding concepts. 

The Imagine Cup Junior is a highly prestigious competition in which teams will create a project to develop an original concept addressing the Microsoft AI for Good Initiatives. In the Congressional App Challenge, middle school students must develop original applications from scratch. The prestigious American Computing Science League (ACSL) Competition tests fundamental concepts in computer science, from number systems to boolean algebra and digital electronics. 

Success in coding competitions can boost confidence, validate skills, and open doors to further opportunities, establishing a strong foundation for future academic and professional pursuits in the field of computer science.

Here are some more coding competitions you should check out! 

5. Take up Online Programming Challenges

Online programming challenges provide a flexible and accessible platform for students to practice and refine their coding skills independently. The self-paced nature of online programming challenges allows students to explore different programming languages and topics at their own pace, fostering a sense of autonomy and curiosity. By solving a variety of problems, middle schoolers can enhance their problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning, and algorithmic thinking.

Middle school students can participate in ongoing programming challenges on platforms like HackerRank, LeetCode, or CodeSignal to continually enhance coding proficiency and problem-solving abilities. These platforms often provide a supportive community where participants can share insights, discuss solutions, and learn from each other. 

6. Build a Website or an App

For middle school students passionate about computer science, creating your own website or application is a fantastic way to showcase skills and creativity! This hands-on project not only demonstrates coding abilities but also encourages innovative thinking and project management skills. Designing a website or app sparks creativity as you explore ways to enhance user experience, incorporate interactive features, and personalize user interactions. 

While no project is without challenges, overcoming these obstacles hones problem-solving skills, encourages experimentation, and teaches you to debug codes effectively. Building an app or website is a great way to demonstrate professional development, adding a unique and valuable element to your portfolio. It also involves applying computer science to real-world problems, and making a meaningful impact with your newfound knowledge!

7. Sign up For Online Courses 

Online courses provide a structured and accessible way for students to delve into various aspects of programming, algorithms, and computer science fundamentals. By participating in online courses, students gain exposure to advanced topics not typically covered in standard curricula, building a strong foundation for future academic pursuits in computer science. 

One such program is the AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI where students learn the fundamentals of AI, ML, and data science. Designed specifically for middle school students, the course includes live lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world group projects under the guidance of mentors from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more! 

8. Contribute to Open Source Projects

Contributing to open-source projects stands as a uniquely challenging yet rewarding extracurricular for middle schoolers intrigued by computer science. It allows middle schoolers to apply their skills to meaningful projects and exposes them to diverse coding styles, project structures, and industry best practices.

The Season of KDE is open-source software offering opportunities for contributions to individuals worldwide. Hacktoberfest is a popular open-source program accessible to students worldwide. The Open Mainframe Project features its open-source program where mentees can broaden their understanding of mainframe technology.

Unlike some activities, this extracurricular demands a certain level of prior knowledge and skills in coding. However, overcoming this initial hurdle presents a valuable opportunity for students to enhance their proficiency and tackle real-world challenges.

9. Join a Coding or Robotics Club 

Joining coding clubs fosters teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, as students collaborate on projects that go beyond individual coding tasks. These extracurricular activities offer a collaborative environment where students can not only hone their coding skills but also engage in practical applications, such as building and programming robots. 

For instance, Code Club is a global network of free coding clubs for kids aged 9–13. Coderdojo is a global network of free, volunteer-led, community-based programming clubs for young people, and anyone aged 7–17 can visit a dojo to learn to code, build a website, create an app or a game. The Willows Community School offers a Robotics team every fall open to any Middle Schooler. The social aspect of coding clubs and robotics teams provides a supportive community, encouraging middle schoolers to share ideas and learn from peers.

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