9 Ivy League Data Science Programs for Middle School Students
In today’s technology-driven world, data science stands out as a crucial field, impacting industries ranging from healthcare to entertainment. Middle school is the perfect time to begin exploring this transformative discipline. Ivy League data science programs for middle school students will provide you with access to rigorous academic curricula, world-renowned faculty, and networking opportunities that can shape your educational journeys.
Participating in Ivy League data science programs for middle school students also builds confidence, enhances problem-solving skills, and demonstrates early initiative—qualities that look impressive on future college applications. More importantly, it sparks a passion for learning and equips you with a foundational understanding of a growing and lucrative field.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 8 Ivy League data science programs for middle school students that you can check out.
1. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Online
Cost: $1,990. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: January 5, 2025, for the spring cohort
Program Dates: 10 weeks. The spring cohort dates are March 9, 2025 – May 11, 2025
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI offers middle school students a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning. With over 25 hours of instruction, you will master Python basics and explore data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.
With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you will receive personalized guidance and engage in collaborative learning. You will complete a hands-on project by the program's end, such as building machine-learning models to classify music genres or creating algorithms to generate tailored educational resources.
2. Summer at Yale University – Applied Data Science with Python
Location: New Haven, CT
Cost: Commuter: $6,499 | Residential: $8,999
Application Deadline: Information not currently available
Program Dates: July 6 – July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Open to middle school students in grades 6 – 8
Summer at Yale, hosted by Summer Discovery, provides middle school students with an exceptional opportunity to explore academic interests while experiencing the prestige of one of the world's most renowned universities.
The Applied Data Science with Python course introduces you to data science, starting with the building blocks of programming. You will learn foundational concepts like binary computation, algorithms, and data types, progressing to Python fundamentals, including expressions, variables, and functions. As the course advances, You will implement object-oriented design, problem-solving techniques, and real-world coding projects. You will get to explore how data science intersects with computer engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and statistics.
This program’s location at Yale University, one of the world’s most prestigious Ivy League institutions, adds immense value to the experience. Yale’s reputation for academic excellence enhances the weight of the certificate earned, showcasing your commitment to early intellectual exploration and your ability to excel in a demanding environment. Alumni of Summer Discovery programs frequently cite their experience as pivotal in shaping their academic and professional futures.
3. STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders – Brown University
Location: Brown University Campus, Providence, RI
Cost: $5,788 (residential). See here for more info
Application Deadline: Opens on January 15, 2025, and closes on May 9, 2025. See here for more
Program Dates: July 13 – 25, 2025
Eligibility: Students completing grades 8 to 9, ages 13 to 15 by June 15, 2025
Brown University’s STEM for Rising 9th and 10th Graders offers you the chance to explore various STEM disciplines through engaging courses, rigorous academic content, and real-world applications.
As a participant, you will work on research projects or design challenges as the core focus of your academic work. Alongside these projects, you may have the opportunity to engage with Brown graduate students and explore graduate-level research. At the end of the program, you will present your project in a final showcase for peers, families, and instructors, demonstrating the knowledge and skills you've gained.
This program is designed to give you the opportunity to focus on your interests in a rigorous academic environment, without the pressure of formal grades. You'll collaborate with motivated peers from around the world while living and learning at the prestigious Brown University. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Digital Certificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report.
4. Data Science: R Basics – Harvard University
Location: Online (edX platform)
Cost: Free (paid certification available)
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Program Dates: 8 weeks; self-paced
Eligibility: Learners interested in data science and R programming
The Data Science: R Basics, offered by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health through edX, serves as the foundation of their Professional Certificate Program in Data Science. Designed for beginners, the program will help you build essential skills in data wrangling, analysis, and visualization using R. With a focus on practical application, you’ll work with a real-world dataset on crime in the United States to answer key analytical questions. This self-paced course introduces the foundational principles of R, preparing you for more advanced topics such as probability, regression, and machine learning in subsequent courses within the series.
Learners from this series gain a strong foundation in data analysis, making it ideal for those planning to pursue roles as data scientists or analysts. The combination of Harvard’s academic reputation and edX’s accessible platform ensures a high-quality learning experience.
5. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,050
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates:
Session One: June 16 – 27, 2025
Session Two: July 7 – 18, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an intensive online summer program where students can focus on single-subject study in small class sizes. As a participant, you can choose from over 70 online summer courses, including Introduction to Data Science, Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Introduction to Java Programming, Introduction to C++, and more. These courses will focus on concepts like data science and how it is reshaping our world, the basics of programming, and so on. The courses are ungraded and not for credit, giving you the chance to experience an in-depth and interactive exploration of your chosen course without worrying about your grades.
6. Applied Data Science with Python – Cornell University
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,500 enrollment deposit + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Not mentioned. Currently open
Program Dates: July 13, 2025 – August 1, 2025 (3 weeks)
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8. This is part of the gifted courses; see the Institute for the Gifted eligibility requirements for more
This Applied Data Science with Python course is designed to introduce middle school students to the exciting world of data science and programming, regardless of prior experience. As a participant, you will begin by learning foundational programming concepts, such as binary computation, problem-solving, algorithms, and data types (expressions, variables, and functions). You will deepen your understanding of Python programming by creating modules, implementing object-oriented design, and solving real-world problems.
As the course progresses, you will explore how principles from computer engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and statistics apply to industries like business, policy, and technology. Key skills include data visualization, machine learning basics, and data-driven decision-making.
As part of Cornell University’s respected summer courses, this program combines the rigor of Ivy League instruction with a supportive learning environment tailored to middle school students. The knowledge gained and certification awarded carry immense weight, demonstrating early mastery in a high-demand field.
7. Penn GEMS – Engineering, Math, and Science Camp
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $650. Financial aid available
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Program Dates: June 23 – 27, 2025
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 7 – 9 who live and attend school within a 60-mile radius of the University of Pennsylvania
The Penn GEMS (Engineering, Math, and Science Camp) is a week-long day camp designed to ignite middle school students' passion for engineering, data science, and computer science. This hands-on program explores the real-world applications of engineering disciplines, helping you see how these fields impact everyday life. During this program, you will get to explore fields like bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, and computing. The program also focuses on collaborative problem-solving and teamwork, fostering curiosity and building self-confidence in STEM.
8. Computer Science – Cornell University
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,500 enrollment deposit + $100 application fee
Application Deadline: Not mentioned. Currently open
Program Dates: July 13, 2025 – August 1, 2025 (3 weeks)
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 – 8
Cornell University’s Computer Science course is perfect for middle school students looking to explore the foundational principles of computer science and technology. Whether you aspire to build a mobile app, create a website, design video games, or dream up the next big tech invention, this program provides the skills to help you get started.
During this program, you will gain hands-on experience in computer hardware and software development while exploring essential coding concepts. It also covers structured data, digital media, and the fundamentals of Internet technology, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.
9. Tech Savvy – Harvard University
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: $250 (tentatively)
Application Deadline: May (tentatively)
Program Dates: Summer 2025 (specific dates to be announced)
Eligibility: Young girls entering 7th or 8th grade
Tech Savvy is a weeklong summer program designed to immerse middle school girls in computing, technology, and engineering. Each day offers a unique experience at a different university or technical company in the Boston area.
During the program, you will engage in hands-on activities where you will design, develop, build, and test cutting-edge science and technology projects. It fosters creativity, collaboration, and confidence, encouraging you to explore STEM fields while gaining real-world insights into tech and engineering careers.
Co-hosted by Harvard University and other esteemed institutions, Tech Savvy offers you an invaluable opportunity to explore STEM fields in a supportive and inspiring environment. With sponsors such as IBM, Northeastern University, and the Museum of Science, this program highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in science and technology.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
Image Source - Harvard University Logo