8 AI Research Programs for Middle School Students
AI research programs offer young students a structured entry into one of today’s most transformative fields, introducing them to principles that span from machine learning to ethical AI applications. For middle school students, these programs provide a unique chance to understand the potential of AI and how it impacts everything from healthcare to environmental science, sharpening critical thinking and analytical skills from a young age.
Starting early with AI research will allow you to tackle real-world problems through coding, data analysis, and design, laying the groundwork for developing valuable skills in problem-solving and innovation. Engaging with AI now gives young minds an edge, equipping them to approach future academic and career opportunities with confidence, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility toward technology’s impact on society.
Here are 8 AI research programs for middle school students!
1. MIT’s Beaver Works Middle School Program
Location: Both in-person (on MIT campus, MA) and virtual options are available.
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025
Program Dates: 4 weeks, typically between July and August. Specific dates TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.
The Beaver Works Middle School Program, an initiative by MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), provides middle school students with an introduction to AI and engineering concepts. In this program, you’ll work on team-based projects designed to tackle practical challenges using AI and engineering skills.
With a focus on building and programming smart systems, exploring robotics, and working with modern technologies, the program offers a way to develop relevant skills and learn about the applications of AI and engineering in a collaborative environment.
2. Middle School: Raspberry Pi at UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $275; financial aid is available
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in May for all courses.
Course Dates: July 7, 2025 – July 25, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8 can apply.
Credits Awarded: 1.50 unit(s)
The Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Program offers a range of courses, from foundational STEM subjects like computer science, robotics, and engineering, to specialized topics like filmmaking, business, financial literacy, and gemology. For those interested in coding or AI, the Middle School: Raspberry Pi course introduces you to the Raspberry Pi, a small computer that connects to a monitor and enables various computing projects.
This course teaches you about the Raspberry Pi Model B motherboard and basic circuit elements such as resistors, LEDs, and potentiometers. With a focus on hands-on projects, you’ll use Python scripting to build applications like a dimmer switch, an intruder alarm with a camera, a virtual drum set, and visual games, applying your skills to create practical and interactive systems.
3. Veritas AI: AI Trailblazers + AI Junior Fellowship
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Trailblazers : $1,990 | AI Junior Fellowship : $3,900 | Need-based financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Multiple application deadlines based on seasonal cohorts; the winter cohort deadline is on Dec 1, 2024. Apply here!
Program Dates: AI Trailblazers: 25 hours over 10 sessions | AI Junior Fellowship: 12 weeks
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8) can apply.
Veritas AI, created and led by Harvard graduate students, offers a virtual program designed specifically for middle and high school students interested in artificial intelligence. As a middle school student, you can choose between two engaging paths: the AI Trailblazers and the AI Junior Fellowship. In AI Trailblazers, you’ll explore the core principles of artificial intelligence and machine learning while building foundational skills in Python.
If you already have Python experience or have completed the AI Trailblazers, the Junior Fellowship provides a more advanced option, offering 12 weeks of personalized guidance. During this fellowship, you’ll work on crafting your own AI project or research paper, delving into how AI intersects with fields like biology, economics, or social sciences. All important details can be found in the program brochure here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,495; financial aid is available (note that this is the cost for the 2024 program and is subject to change for 2025).
Application Deadline: TBD for 2025
Program Dates: TBD for 2025. Typically between June and July.
Eligibility: Middle school students ages 12 and above are eligible to participate.
Berkeley’s summer program in data science and AI offers students aged 12–18 an introduction to key concepts in AI, machine learning, and data science. For those with more coding experience, there are 1-on-1 sessions, while younger learners (ages 7–11) can join a junior program focused on Python basics. Throughout these courses, you’ll learn to code and evaluate Python for AI and build machine-learning models using data from real-world scenarios.
With options for all skill levels, the program includes collaborative small-group projects where students develop their own models and applications. Participants also gain ongoing access to Berkeley Coding Academy’s lecture videos, slides, and project resources. For summer 2025, BCA has structured the program into focused weeks, each covering a specific area: Python foundations, data analytics, machine learning, deep learning, and AI applications, making it adaptable to your interests and experience.
5. HarvardX: CS50’s Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: Free without a certificate and $299 with a certificate. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Course Dates: 7 weeks at 10–30 hours per week; self-paced.
Eligibility: Open to all; however, programming experience in Python is required.
Harvard’s “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python” course explores essential AI concepts and algorithms, covering the basics behind technologies like game engines, handwriting recognition, and translation systems.
Throughout this course, you’ll work on projects that incorporate these ideas into your own Python programs, giving you hands-on experience with techniques such as graph search, classification, optimization, machine learning, and language models. By completing these projects, you’ll gain practical insights into using machine learning libraries and applying AI principles.
By the end, you’ll have a foundational understanding of AI applications and the skills to independently create and enhance intelligent systems.
6. AI Summer Camp by Adventure AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Below $500
Application Deadline: Rolling applications. Currently, you can join the waitlist for a specific camp slot of your choice.
Program dates: Multiple 5-day weekend and weekday options from July to August. Weekday: July 17-21 | Weekend: July 22-August 20
Eligibility: Middle school students can apply!
Adventure AI is a social program hosted on Discord with virtual classes led by an AI expert, offering students the chance to explore AI by developing projects based on their own interests. Participants can work on creating GPT-4-powered applications, like games, websites, digital art, or technical designs such as rocket diagrams.
The program includes a self-paced curriculum focused on using language models and AI for creative projects, with individualized support from an AI mentor. Alongside project creation, students can participate in AI competitions, applying their skills in a collaborative setting. Flexible registration options are available, including both weekday and weekend sessions with varied timings to accommodate different schedules.
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Application Deadline: None; applicants just have to register.
Program Dates: Available year-round. Open enrollment.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible for this program!
AI for Oceans, a program by Code.org in collaboration with Microsoft, introduces students to the intersection of marine biology and artificial intelligence. As a participant, you will get to explore current challenges facing ocean ecosystems and apply AI to develop potential solutions. Through analyzing oceanic data and building AI models, you will learn to study marine life and tackle pressing issues like pollution and climate change.
This program provides practical experience for those interested in using AI for environmental research or aiming for careers in marine biology, oceanography, or conservation.
8. RAISE by MIT
Location: RAISE is offered in collaboration with schools and after-school programs. If your school offers the RAISE program, classes will be held at your school!
Cost: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Varies based on the curriculum provided in collaboration with your school.
Eligibility: Open to middle school students. Consult your computer science/AI instructor at school for more information!
The RAISE program offers a range of courses and workshops for middle school students, introducing them to AI concepts and their real-world applications. As a participant, you can select from various workshops, including the DAIly Curriculum, which provides both hands-on and computer-based activities focused on key AI topics, ethical considerations, and creative AI applications.
In this curriculum, you’ll work on projects that involve using machine learning for predictive tasks, exploring biases in AI, and applying generative adversarial networks (GANs) to create digital art. Other options available on the RAISE platform include online workshops on Conversational AI Tools, GANPaint, and PICaboo., allowing you to deepen your AI knowledge through diverse, project-driven experiences.
Are you looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science? Try the AI Scholars program!
The 10-session boot camp introduces students to the fundamentals of AI & data science while providing a chance to work on real-world projects. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
Tyler Moulton is Head of Academics and Veritas AI Partnerships with 6 years of experience in education consulting, teaching, and astronomy research at Harvard and the University of Cambridge, where they developed a passion for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Tyler is passionate about connecting high-achieving students to advanced AI techniques and helping them build independent, real-world projects in the field of AI!
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