9 Data Science Camps for Middle School Students
Data science is an exciting and rapidly growing field that combines mathematics, statistics, and programming to analyze and interpret data. For middle school students, participating in a data science camp can be a great way to develop foundational skills, explore their interests in technology, and prepare for future academic and career opportunities. Unlike longer or more intensive programs, data science camps are typically short-term experiences designed to make learning fun and engaging. These camps provide hands-on opportunities to work on real-world problems, use coding tools, and understand the fundamentals of data science. You can enhance their problem-solving skills, collaborate with peers, and build confidence in their abilities.
Here’s a list of 9 data science camps for middle school students that you can consider.
1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 6–8
Cost: $1,990 (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: February 18, 2024 (Spring Cohort), May 12, 2024 (for the Summer Cohort); additional deadlines available throughout the year
Program Dates: March 11, 2024 - April 4, 2024 (Spring Cohort) and June 3 – July 28, 2024 (Summer Cohort)
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers middle school students an extraordinary opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and the London School of Economics. This 8-week program is designed to ignite curiosity, explore academic interests, and guide participants in building passion-driven projects.
The program is divided into three key phases. During the first four weeks, students explore four diverse topics within their chosen track. Weeks five and six focus on a deep dive into a specific topic area, allowing participants to develop advanced knowledge and expertise. In the final two weeks, students implement their projects with personalized support and guidance from their mentors, bringing their ideas to life. With its emphasis on personalized mentorship and project-based learning, the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program equips young learners with the skills, confidence, and experience needed to excel academically and beyond.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to middle school students (grades 6–8)
Cost: $1,990 (need-based financial aid available)
Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 (for the Winter Cohort)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Winter, Spring, and Summer sessions
Veritas AI Trailblazers is an immersive online program designed for middle school students eager to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning. Tailored for young learners, this program introduces Python programming and foundational AI concepts through hands-on projects such as image recognition, data visualization, and game design. As students progress, they delve into advanced topics, including image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics, under the guidance of expert instructors. The curriculum combines live interactive sessions with personalized mentorship, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment.
By the end of the program, participants will have gained essential coding skills, a solid understanding of AI principles, and the confidence to pursue further studies in technology and computer science. Veritas AI Trailblazers is an ideal starting point for middle school students passionate about the future of technology.
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: Open to current 6th–8th grade students in the Philadelphia area
Cost: $650
Application Deadline: March 4, 2025
Program Dates: June 24, 2025 – June 28, 2025 (Based on last year)
Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) is a week-long day camp at the University of Pennsylvania, designed for middle school students in grades 6–8. The program focuses on introducing students to exciting fields like bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, robotics, data science, and computing. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, participants explore engineering concepts in real-world contexts.
Led by world-class faculty, the camp emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and building self-confidence while showcasing how applied sciences and engineering can address real-world challenges. As a day camp, Penn GEMS requires daily drop-off and pick-up from the Penn campus, offering a dynamic and immersive learning environment without the need for overnight accommodations.
4. MehtA+ Machine Learning Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 8–12
Cost: $1,975
Application Deadline: June 5, 2024
Program Dates: June 17 – July 26, 2024
The MehtA+ Machine Learning Bootcamp is a 6-week virtual program designed to introduce middle and high school students to the cutting-edge field of data science. Taught by engineers from MIT and Stanford, this camp offers a university-level learning experience, covering foundational concepts in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning while progressing to more advanced topics. You will build essential skills, from understanding the mathematical frameworks behind machine learning models to training and deploying complex AI systems. The program culminates in interdisciplinary research projects where students collaborate on challenges in fields such as medicine, economics, and linguistics.
These projects often lead to opportunities for presenting research papers and posters at academic conferences and potential publication in research journals. The curriculum includes Python programming, hands-on experience with machine learning libraries, ethical considerations in AI, and comprehensive research methodologies. This bootcamp provides a great platform for students to gain valuable technical skills and explore real-world applications of machine learning, preparing them for advanced studies and careers in AI-driven industries.
5. National Computer Camp (NCC)
Location: Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT) and Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, GA)
Eligibility: Students aged 8–18
Cost:
Residential Camp: $1,350 per week (limited $200/week scholarships available)
Day Camp: $1,095 per week (limited $200/week scholarships available)
Morning Camp: $400 per week (limited $50/week scholarships available)
Optional Weekend Stay: $245
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Fairfield University: July 13 – July 18, 2025, July 20 – July 25, 2025, July 27 – August 1, 2025. Oglethorpe University: June 15 – June 20, 2025; June 22 – June 27, 2025
The National Computer Camp (NCC), America’s longest-running computer camp, provides a dynamic and flexible curriculum tailored to middle and high school students of all skill levels. Whether attending for one week or participating in multiple sessions, students gain hands-on experience in areas such as 2D and 3D video game design, programming in Python, Java, and C++, web development, and software applications.
You can conduct practical projects that foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. From designing their own video games to building personalized web pages, students leave the camp with a solid foundation in computing. To balance academics with recreation, NCC offers an optional sports program where students can participate in fun physical activities. With a 5:1 camper-to-staff ratio, NCC ensures personalized instruction and mentorship, creating an immersive learning environment where students can thrive both academically and socially.
6. Data Science Summer Camp by Ohio State University
Location: Pomerene Hall
Eligibility: Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders
Cost: Free (supported by campus and community partners)
Application Deadline: Contact the office for information.
Program Dates: July 8 – July 12, 2024
Data Science Summer Camp by Ohio State University is hosted by the Translational Data Analytics Institute, offering an engaging opportunity for middle school students to explore the dynamic field of data science and analytics. This rapidly growing discipline uses scientific methods to extract insights and knowledge from data, offering applications across diverse fields such as business, biology, healthcare, education, city planning, and social services.
During the five-day program, participants will collaborate in student teams and work with mentors to develop analytical and problem-solving skills and learn from experts across the data spectrum, including scientists and university students. You can explore educational pathways and career opportunities in data science and analytics and participate in presentations, including topics like Imageomics, to showcase your learning and discoveries. This free camp provides an inspiring introduction to data science, empowering students to combine their analytical skills with their interests to make a real-world impact.
7. STEM-Focused Data Science Summer Camp
Location: University of California, Riverside
Eligibility: Middle and high school students interested in STEM fields
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 2024
Program Dates: July 8 - 12, 2024
Hosted by UC Riverside’s Departments of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), the STEM-Focused Data Science Summer Camp is a week-long immersive program designed to introduce middle and high school students to the rapidly expanding fields of Data Science (DS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The camp begins with foundational concepts and an introduction to Python programming, progressing to hands-on lab exercises focused on data extraction, visualization, and real-world applications.
You can explore key AI applications while gaining insights into how engineering and data science influence diverse industries. This program provides a great opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of STEM and refine their academic and career interests.
8. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp
Location: Virtual/Remote
Eligibility: Middle school female students
Cost: $500. Need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: To be announced
Dates: July 27–August 1, 2025
The Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp, sponsored by the makers of Wolfram Language, Mathematica, and Wolfram|Alpha, is a one-week intensive program designed to enhance programming and computational thinking skills among middle school girls. You can participate in hands-on workshops guided by Wolfram instructors to explore coding, design, and innovative technology using Wolfram Language.
The camp includes interactive lectures, peer collaboration, and expert talks on topics of interest, creating an engaging and supportive virtual learning environment. You will gain foundational and advanced technical skills while fostering your curiosity for science and technology. This program can be a great platform for motivated students to expand their technical knowledge and develop problem-solving expertise.
Location: Frisco, TX
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Cost: $350 for the five-day camp (Meals not included)
Application Deadline: Full payment due by July 5, 2024
Dates: July 8–12, 2024
Tech Explorer Camp is designed for middle and high school students eager to learn about various technologies and their applications. This engaging five-day program introduces participants to careers in information science, including roles such as user experience researcher, information technology specialist, and library and information professional. The camp emphasizes human-computer interaction, informatics, misinformation, and the evolving future of technology.
You will start with foundational concepts and progress to more advanced skills by the end of the week. You are required to bring your own laptops. Led by UNT research faculty and Ph.D. students, campers will gain insights into cutting-edge research in information science while developing their technical abilities. This camp offers a strong opportunity for students to explore the dynamic field of technology in an engaging and supportive environment.
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