8 Data Science Research Programs for Middle School Students

As a middle school student with an interest in data science, joining a research program can be a game-changer in terms of cultivating curiosity, sharpening academic skills, and diving deeply into areas you’re passionate about. Research programs designed for middle schoolers focus on topics in innovative and accessible ways, giving students a foundation in critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. By participating in these programs, you can get a glimpse into fields like data science, artificial intelligence, and engineering, opening doors to future studies and potential careers. 

Here are eight data science research programs for middle school students that bring data science to life in an engaging way.

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a chance for middle school students to explore data science through hands-on projects with mentor guidance. Over eight weeks, you’ll work one-on-one with a mentor from top universities like Harvard, MIT, or Yale, diving into topics within your chosen field. 

During the first four weeks, you’ll explore four different areas of data science, giving you a broad overview and helping you discover your areas of interest. By weeks five and six, you’ll select a focus area and begin developing a high school-level project, which you’ll complete by the end of the program.

Throughout weeks seven and eight, you’ll bring your project to life, with your mentor guiding you through each step, whether you’re creating a data visualization, analyzing a dataset, or even developing a small-scale machine learning model. This structure allows you to experience the full cycle of a research project - from learning foundational concepts to applying them in a way that shows off your skills. Since this is a virtual program, you can participate from anywhere, connecting with academic mentors from the comfort of your home!

Location: Virtual

Cost: $2400; need-based financial aid is available.

Program dates: The upcoming Winter 2024 cohort starts on December 16, 2024, and runs for 8 weeks.

Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The upcoming Winter cohort deadline is November 24, 2024

Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8

2. Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Program at UC San Diego

The Sally Ride Science Academy Summer Program at UC San Diego is a unique opportunity for middle school students to dive into data science within a broad range of STEAM-focused workshops. In these workshops, you’ll learn about science, technology, and engineering while experimenting with data through hands-on projects. In addition to building foundational skills, you will work on exciting projects involving predictive analytics, pattern analysis, and data-led scientific problem-solving, which are important for advanced studies in data science and AI. Analyzing patterns, making predictions, and using data to solve scientific problems. 

Led by expert instructors and researchers, you’ll work on diverse projects with a focus on practical skills, which means you’ll learn how to gather and interpret data, use basic programming skills, and apply logic in real-world scenarios. With the chance to connect with professors and learn directly from university faculty, this program offers a great introduction to the world of data science and research for aspiring young scientists.

Location: University of California, San Diego, CA

Cost: $275

Program dates: July 7, 2025 - July 25, 2025

Application deadline: Applications typically close in May.

Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8

3. Bootstrap’s Data Science Course

Bootstrap’s Data Science Course is an opportunity for students in grades 5-12 to dive into data science through subjects like math, science, and social studies. This free, research-based program is taught by your regular classroom teachers, helping all students connect data science to real-world topics. As a participant, you’ll be exploring topics such as data visualization in statistics, learning how to analyze trends in business, or understanding the role of data in government and civics - all while building your analytical skills in an engaging way.

In collaboration with top universities like Brown University and UC San Diego, Bootstrap offers rigorous content that nudges you to explore real data science tools, such as calculating measures of center or interpreting data in visual formats. Teachers can integrate Bootstrap’s lessons into their curriculum, either as a few lessons or an entire unit, based on your school’s needs. While it’s not an individualized program to sign up for, you can work with your school to bring it to the classroom. 

Location: Your school

Cost: Free

Program dates and application deadline: Varies

Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12

4. MIT Beaver Works Middle School Program

The Beaver Works Middle School Program at MIT introduces middle school students to engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) in an engaging manner. As an extension of MIT's Beaver Works Summer Institute, you will get hands-on experience in data science, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other intelligent systems. You’ll get to work on projects such as the RACECAR courses, which range from beginner-friendly programming to more advanced challenges. Through these courses, you’ll learn the fundamentals of robotics and programming, helping you understand how AI powers the systems around us.

In this program, you’ll also learn Python programming and have the opportunity to design assistive technology prototypes for people with disabilities. This immersive experience isn’t just about working on tech; it’s about collaboration, teamwork, and tackling real-world problems with your peers. The final weekend event brings it all together as you showcase your projects, giving you a platform to see AI and ML in action and explore the possibilities of data science and engineering.

Location: Virtual or in-person at MIT campus, Boston, MA

Cost: Free

Program dates: 4 weeks, starting the Monday following the 4th of July weekend

Application deadline: Applications typically close in May.

Eligibility: Middle school students who are U.S citizens or Permanent Residents

5. Summer Teen Research Program at The Lawrence at UC Berkeley

Attending the Artificial Intelligence Summer Teen Research Program at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science will give middle school students a chance to dive deep into STEM and AI. This week-long program offers hands-on labs and research on real-world challenges in fields like biomedical innovation, bridge engineering, nano-satellite coding, and solar energy. You’ll build core AI and engineering skills while developing problem-solving abilities and an understanding of the scientific process.

Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside experienced mentors and faculty, gaining insight into the research field and STEM careers that use AI and data science. With engaging lab sessions and collaborative projects, you’ll refine your technical abilities, learn about the impact of AI across industries, and explore what it’s like to study at the university level. This program combines rigorous STEM learning with fun, interactive projects, making it ideal for young researchers eager to turn their curiosity into real skills and knowledge in data science and AI.

Location: UC Berkeley Campus, CA

Cost: Tuition and the residential add-on are $1,350 and $1,150 respectively. A subsidized option is available for families in financial need, at $1,215 and $1,035 respectively.

Program dates: June 10-14 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Application deadline: Applications are typically open from December to April.

Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-9

6. MST@MSU: Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Michigan State University

The Mathematics, Science, and Technology program at Michigan State University (MST@MSU) is a rigorous week of hands-on STEM research, with options to join as a commuter or a residential participant. Designed for middle school students with a keen interest in STEM, this program offers you the opportunity to explore areas beyond the traditional classroom setting. Each topic is carefully structured to help you apply critical thinking and analytical skills to real-world problems, making this a great way to explore different aspects of STEM.

As an MST@MSU participant, you’ll work in small, focused classes, each lasting two hours per day, where you can fully immerse yourself in the details of each research area. You’ll use professional tools and methods used in fields like data science and engineering to solve complex problems and present your findings. The program also emphasizes teamwork and leadership, giving you the chance to collaborate with other students who share your passion for STEM.

Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Cost: $950 commuter, $2,100 residential; need-based financial aid is available.

Program dates: (tentative, based on the 2024 program) 

• Session 1: July 8 - 12

• Session 2: July 15 - 19

Application deadline: Rolling until full; open till May 2025

Eligibility: Students in grades 7-8 

7. CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S at Georgia Tech

The CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. program at Georgia Tech offers middle school students a hands-on way to explore STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) through project-based learning. Held over one to two weeks on the Georgia Tech campus, Summer P.E.A.K.S. offers a unique range of topics tailored to your interests, including data science, coding, 3D game design, AI, and film production. You could learn to build your own game, experiment with energy concepts, or understand how data is used to solve real-world problems while working alongside Georgia Tech faculty and students.

In these engaging classes, you’ll get the chance to work on practical projects with professionals from different fields, enhancing your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. You’ll learn to develop innovative solutions while exploring fields like psychology and industrial engineering, while getting a sense of what it’s like to be on a college campus, and discovering exciting career possibilities.

Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 

Cost: $400-$650 per student; need-based financial aid is available. 

Program dates and application deadline: Varies depending on the course 

Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th graders

8. Berkeley Coding Academy Summer Program

The Berkeley Coding Academy’s five-week Data Science to AI program introduces middle school students to data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). You’ll start with a foundation course in Python programming and move on to data analytics, where you’ll explore how to work with data sets and analyze patterns. As the program progresses, you’ll also have the chance to build and train your own machine learning models using real data and deep learning models and learn about cutting-edge AI applications like image recognition, text generation, and recommendation systems. You’ll apply your newfound skills to group projects that will bring data science concepts to life.

A unique aspect of this course is that you’ll be guided by one-on-one mentorship, ensuring you grasp the techniques needed to code effectively and understand data’s role in AI. You’ll work on a series of mini-projects and complete a final project that reflects your personal interests, whether that’s analyzing environmental data or studying social media trends. By the end of the program, you’ll have a portfolio of Python-based projects and access to valuable resources, including recorded lectures, slides, and interactive notebooks. 

Location: Virtual

Cost: $1695

Program dates: June 17–28 and July 8–12 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)

Application deadline: TBA for 2025

Eligibility: Students aged 12-14

If you are interested in exploring independent research and gaining hands-on experience in data science, consider the  Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers.

The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual initiative designed to teach you, as a middle school student, the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Spread across 25 hours of lectures and group mentorship sessions, you'll dive into the basics of Python and explore topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics.  By the end of the program, you will have worked on a hands-on project in a subject of your choice! Past students have tackled exciting projects such as building a machine-learning model to classify music genres or creating an algorithm that customizes educational resources based on selected specifications.

Image Source - Georgia Tech