If you are a middle school student passionate about technology, university-led computer science programs offer a structured, challenging, and engaging way to deepen your skills. These programs provide more than an introduction to coding and software development — they offer a structured pathway to discover what learning at a university level feels like. Early exposure to computer science can help you build foundational skills, sharpen problem-solving abilities, and expand your interests before high school. 

University programs often grant access to advanced tools, expert instructors, and a community of like-minded peers, creating an enriching environment for young learners eager to explore the world of tech. For those curious about programming, digital innovation, or future STEM careers, these programs provide an immersive way to experiment and grow.

Here’s a look at 8 university computer science programs for middle school students, with details on structure, cost, eligibility, and program highlights.

1. Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) at New York University (NYU)

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April

Program Dates: July 8 - August 2, 2024 (2025 schedule TBA)

Eligibility: NYC students aged 12-14 with a strong academic record and an interest in STEM

The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is a 3-week experience designed to introduce middle school students to the computer science, engineering, and technological concepts that drive city sustainability and safety. Through hands-on projects and experiments, participants explore urban science, coding, and physical sciences, gaining insight into how scientists and engineers create solutions for real-world challenges using microcontrollers, sensors, and other hardware. As a participant, you’ll receive guidance from NYU engineering students, who offer mentorship on projects and insights into STEM education and career pathways. 

SoSC culminates in a final presentation where students showcase their projects to experts and the public, demonstrating creative solutions to urban issues. This program aims to foster critical STEM skills through interactive learning, equipping students with knowledge and inspiration for future roles in city planning and technology.

2. Sally Ride Science Academy at the University of California San Diego

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA

Cost: Courses range from $175 to $450; Financial aid is available.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May

Program Dates: July 7 - July 25, 2025

Eligibility: Middle and high school students

The Sally Ride Science Academy at UC San Diego offers a dynamic summer program designed to immerse middle and high school students in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The academy provides hands-on workshops where students can explore various fields, including computer science, robotics, environmental science, biotechnology, and digital design.  

Led by experienced instructors and scientists, each workshop emphasizes interactive learning, encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills through collaborative projects. The program aims to inspire young learners to pursue STEAM careers by allowing them to learn and interact with professionals in various fields.

3. Science Summer Camps at Oakland University

Location: Oakland University, Rochester, MI, and some camps are online as well.

Cost: $425 per camp (includes lunch)

Application Deadline: Varies based on camp selected.

Program Dates: July 2025 (tentative, based on last year’s schedule))

Eligibility: Open to all middle school students

Oakland University offers a variety of summer camps designed to engage middle school students in STEM fields. These programs provide interactive experiences that develop foundational skills in engineering, robotics, and coding. Here are three notable camps for students interested in computer science:

Engineering Exploration Camp – Middle School

This camp introduces students to a broad spectrum of STEM disciplines through interactive experiments and activities. Participants engage in coding with Scratch and Python, create slime to understand chemical reactions, and build roller coasters to explore energy concepts. The curriculum covers industrial, mechanical, electrical, chemical, bioengineering, and computer science topics, offering a comprehensive overview of engineering fields. 

Ground Robotics Camp – Middle School

Focusing on robotics, this camp allows students to work with VEX clawbots, Elegoo OwlBot smart cars, and conqueror tanks. Participants learn essential skills such as creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. The program includes basic block code programming using the Elegoo platform and hands-on assembly of VEX clawbots, providing a practical introduction to robotics engineering. 

CodeStart: Basic Coding Adventure (Coding Level 1) – Middle School

Designed for students interested in computer science, this camp offers an introduction to coding. Using the Tynker platform, participants explore sequencing, game editing, and animation coding. The program combines block-based and line-based coding exercises, helping students develop a solid foundation in programming fundamentals. 

4. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes - Introduction to C++

Location: Virtual

Cost: $3,050 (financial aid available)

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March

Program Dates: Session 1: June 17 - June 28, 2024; Session 2: July 8 - July 19, 2024

Eligibility: 8th–11th graders with basic algebra knowledge

Stanford's Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offers an engaging introduction to C++ programming for middle schoolers. The course covers fundamental programming concepts such as syntax, data types, expressions, control structures, functions, arrays, algorithms (searching and sorting), recursion, file I/O, and abstract data types, along with the interaction between the compiler and hardware. This two-week virtual course teaches fundamental programming skills in a language known for its versatility in software development, gaming, and data processing. Designed for students with no prior programming experience, this course also aims to build confidence in computing and lays the groundwork for further studies in computer science. 

5. Harvard University's CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free to audit; $219 for a verified certificate

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (start anytime)

Program Dates: 11 weeks long (self-paced)

Eligibility: Beginners in programming.

Adapted from Harvard’s popular CS50 course, the CS50x: Introduction to Computer Science course covers fundamental coding languages, including C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. You can engage in project-based learning, focusing on computational thinking and problem-solving. The self-paced course is divided into weekly lectures, each accompanied by problem sets and projects that reinforce the material covered. Students are encouraged to approach problems algorithmically and develop efficient solutions. The course culminates in a final project, allowing students to apply their learning to a topic of personal interest.

The program includes live sessions with instructors and guest speakers from Harvard’s computer science department. You are eligible for a certificate if you pay the optional fee and earn a satisfactory score on nine problem sets (i.e., programming assignments), along with submitting the final project.

6. UC San Diego – ForMIDABLE Program for Middle School Students

Location: Virtual 

Cost: Free

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March

Program Dates: June 21, 2025 – July 26, 2025

Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6 - 8

UC San Diego’s ForMIDABLE Program is a virtual initiative designed for middle school students interested in computer science, robotics, and engineering. This program is inspired by UCSD’s ABLE Program for 10-12 grade students. This 8-week program introduces students to STEM through workshops, seminars, tutorials, and robotics demonstrations. The program includes specialized sessions in areas like coding, computational biology, robotics, and data visualization. 

Throughout the program, you’ll work with UC San Diego faculty and STEM professionals, gaining insights into how STEM principles apply to real-world challenges. In the 2024 program, participants attended three sessions per week. One session featured hour-long lectures from guest speakers in computer science and robotics, including UCSD computer science professors, former NASA and JPL experts, climate scientists, and researchers. The other two sessions focused on hands-on coding: an introduction to Python for creating 3D models and an introductory course in Java. 

7. iD Tech – Computer Science with JavaScript: Coding & Game Design 

Location: Virtual and various U.S. campus locations

Cost: Starting at $999 (financial aid available)

Application Deadline: Open until sessions are filled

Program Dates: Multiple sessions available during the summer; specific dates to be announced for 2025

Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11-16; no prior coding experience required

iD Tech’s Computer Science with JavaScript: Coding & Game Design program immerses you in the world of coding by teaching you to build your own interactive games using JavaScript. Over the course of each session, you’ll learn core coding concepts, including variables, loops, conditionals, and functions, as you design games that respond to user inputs and feature engaging animations. The program is structured to make coding accessible and enjoyable by breaking down complex concepts into hands-on projects. You’ll be guided through coding your own versions of classic arcade-style games, learning to control player actions, creating dynamic scoring systems, and programming interactive game mechanics.

By the end of the program, you’ll have functional games built from scratch and a solid foundation in JavaScript programming. This experience will give you the confidence to continue exploring computer science and coding, with skills you can apply to future tech projects or more advanced coding classes.

8. UC Berkeley - Introduction to Computers and Programming

Location: Virtual

Cost: $995

Application Deadline: Open enrollment; students can start anytime

Program Dates: Self-paced; students have 180 days to complete the course upon enrollment

Eligibility: Students with basic computer literacy

UC Berkeley’s Introduction to Computers and Programming provides middle school students with a comprehensive introduction to computer technology and programming. Through hands-on projects using a Raspberry Pi, you’ll explore how computers represent and process data internally, learning about both the hardware and logic involved. Python is used as the primary programming language, introducing you to essential coding concepts like variables, loops, and functions. The course covers various topics, including operating systems, software development, computer applications, and data communications. 

As you progress, you’ll gain practical skills in building circuits, controlling devices with the Raspberry Pi’s GPIO port, and applying binary arithmetic in computing contexts. Additionally, you’ll study different types of computer systems — mainframe, personal, mobile, embedded, and supercomputers — and explore emerging trends in computer science that will shape the future of technology. Learning is reinforced through reading assignments, in-class discussions, quizzes, and a proctored final exam. This self-paced course provides a meaningful entry point for students interested in furthering their studies in computer science and programming. 

9. Stanford Online - Computer Science 101

Location: Virtual via edX

Fee: Free access to course materials; optional verified certificate available for $249

Application Deadline: Open enrollment.

Program Dates: Self-paced; approximately 6 weeks.

Eligibility: Open to all; no prior experience required

Stanford University offers Computer Science 101, an online introductory course hosted on edX for students eager to explore computer science. Taught by a senior lecturer at Stanford, this beginner-friendly course is designed for individuals with no prior computer science background. The self-paced course breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand patterns, allowing students to experiment with simple lines of code directly in their web browsers. 

Topics covered include computer hardware, software, the nature of code, loops and logic, abstraction, bugs, structured data, internet functionality, computer security, and more. No external software downloads are needed — everything is accessed within the browser. 

Bonus Program: Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: AI Trailblazers - $1,990 (need-based financial aid available); AI Junior Fellowship - $3,900

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024 (Winter Cohort)

Program Dates: AI Trailblazers: 25 hours over 10 weekends and AI Junior Fellowship: 12 weeks, starting December 16, 2024.

Eligibility: Open to middle school students interested in AI and programming.

Veritas AI offers two virtual programs tailored for middle and high school students, developed by Harvard graduate students. For middle school beginners, the AI Trailblazers bootcamp provides an introduction to Python and foundational concepts in machine learning and artificial intelligence. In this program, students work on real-world projects across fields like medicine, finance, and autonomous vehicles, gaining hands-on experience with the support of mentors from top universities. 

For students with previous Python experience, the AI Junior Fellowship is ideal. This advanced program allows students to work one-on-one with a mentor to develop their own project or research paper over 12 weeks, diving into the intersection of AI with various subjects. The Fellowship is a great way for students to showcase their passion for AI through a personalized research project.

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