10 Best Pre-College Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Middle school students can benefit a lot from joining pre-college programs. These programs allow them to get a headstart and provide them with valuable opportunities to explore various subjects, discover potential career interests, and develop essential skills. From hands-on learning experiences to building academic foundations and forging connections, pre-college programs offer middle schoolers a pathway to future success.
Below, we've compiled a list of 10 best pre-college programs specifically tailored for middle school students.
1. Junior Scientist Training Program at Scripps Research
Throughout the development and implementation of a research project, students will gain invaluable hands-on skills. They'll take part in lab tours and engage in diverse STEM activities. At the end of the week, students will present their findings to peers. Furthermore, participants will receive a completion certificate from Scripps Research, acknowledging their successful involvement.
To initiate the application for the Junior Scientist Training Program for middle school students, you will have to start by creating a login with personal details. Following this, you'll be able to register your child and any additional middle schoolers via the provided link.
Location: La Jolla, California
Dates: TBD
Cost: $300
Eligibility: Rising 6-8th graders
Deadline: Rolling, registration ends on May 13th.
2. MSM Steam Academy (Morehouse School of Medicine)
In this extensive four-week program, students will engage deeply in a wide array of enriching experiences covering engineering/technology and exploratory studies. Alongside these areas, participants will also explore the development of mobile applications with a focus on health science.
In addition to fundamental academic material, thematic programming encompassing subjects ranging from engineering/technology to health and wellness is integrated to fulfill extracurricular educational requirements. Moreover, students will actively partake in inquiry-based activities crafted to strengthen the program curriculum and link it to real-world applications.
Note: all materials (application and supplemental) must be received by the application closing date by 5 pm.
Location: Atlanta, GA (Morehouse University)
Dates: June 3-28
Cost: $800
Eligibility: Rising 5-8th graders
Deadline: Rolling
3. Oregon State University - Stem Academy
The program's objective is to promote increased college attendance rates and inspire engagement in STEM fields. While the topics for summer 2024 are awaiting confirmation, the offerings from the previous year in 2023 offer a preview of the diverse range of subjects available. Options included the Wild About Wildlife Camp, Making with Microcontrollers, Engineering Camps, ActivityBots Camp, and Flying Robots Camp. Some programs incorporated field trips and hands-on learning experiences to enhance students' educational experiences.
Location: Corvallis, OR (Oregon State University)
Dates: TBA
Cost: $90-300
Eligibility: Rising 6-8th graders
Deadline: Registration opens in late February
The program is committed to equipping students with vital skills like coding from an early stage. By engaging in hands-on experimentation, participants will nurture creativity while tackling their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) projects. For students who cannot attend the physical location, online alternatives are available, ensuring accessibility and flexibility in learning.
Location: Atlanta, GA (Georgia Tech) and online
Dates: April 19th.
Cost: $225-450
Eligibility: K-12
Deadline: Students are accepted on a rolling basis
5. Brown University Pre-College Programs
Brown University Pre-College Programs in STEM and Technology provide high school students with immersive experiences in cutting-edge fields. These programs offer a glimpse into college-level STEM education, fostering critical thinking and hands-on learning. With a focus on academic rigor and innovation, students engage in challenging projects that prepare them for future careers in STEM. Brown's commitment to excellence in STEM education ensures that participants gain valuable skills and insights in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.
Location: Providence, Rhode Island
Dates: TBA
Cost: varies based on course length and your total duration on campus, ranges from $900 - $8000 Eligibility: Middle school and up, depending on the specific program
Deadline: May (tentatively, based on previous years)
The TechLeaders program at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) provides an innovative summer experience focused on the intersection of technology and healthcare, specifically targeting regenerative medicine. Through hands-on projects and discussions, students explore how technological advancements are reshaping tissue regeneration and healing processes. Guided by expert faculty and mentors, participants delve into topics such as fabrication and bioprinting, gaining valuable insights into the tech-driven applications within regenerative medicine.
This immersive program equips students with essential data analysis skills and hands-on experiment capabilities. By fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, TechLeaders ignites students' passion for STEM while demonstrating the transformative potential of technology in healthcare.
Location: In-person on the UNH Durham campus
Cost: Tuition is $700 per week for day students and $1,350 per week for residential students
Dates: July, exact dates to be announced
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Middle or high school students
The summer program provided by the Sally Ride Science Academy presents STEAM workshops tailored for students from 3rd to 12th grade. These workshops allow participants to delve into various roles such as space explorer, marine biologist, and computer programmer through engaging hands-on projects. Led by experienced STEAM instructors who also serve as mentors, the workshops incorporate narratives of accomplished women in each field, aiming to inspire students and enhance accessibility to STEAM careers.
Location: Both in person and live-online session,
Dates: 8th July- 2nd August
Cost: $135 to $149 per course
Eligibility: 3 - 12th grade
Deadline: May 31
8. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies offers online classes and residential programs during the summer for academically talented youth, including middle school students interested in STEM and technology. These programs provide a platform for middle school students to delve into subjects like biomedical engineering, business strategy, discrete mathematics, and more, beyond their regular school curriculum.
By engaging in these programs, middle school students can explore their passion for STEM fields, develop critical thinking skills, and gain exposure to advanced topics in science and technology. The structured online classes and residential programs aim to nurture intellectual curiosity and academic growth in middle school students, preparing them for future academic challenges and opportunities in STEM-related fields.
Location: Stanford, California
Dates: 2 - 3 weeks, exact dates TBA
Cost: depends on program
Eligibility: grades 1–12, depending on program
Deadline: 29th March
9. Tech Explorer Camp at the University of North Texas
The Tech Explorer Camp, hosted at the University of North Texas, is tailored for middle and high school students with a fascination for technology. Taking place over five days at Frisco Landing, participants partake in hands-on activities aimed at nurturing their curiosity and fostering innovation. Led by experienced instructors, the camp offers an engaging curriculum covering various tech-related subjects, ranging from coding workshops to robotics challenges.
The program is crafted to stimulate creativity and cultivate critical thinking among young participants. Beyond imparting practical skills, the Tech Explorer Camp emphasizes teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Whether students aim for careers in programming, engineering, or simply harbor a passion for technology, this camp offers a rewarding opportunity to broaden their skill set and ignite their enthusiasm for the world of technology.
Location: Frisco Landing, Preston Rd, Frisco, TX
Dates: from July 8 to 12, 2024
Cost: $350 for the 5-day camp. Meals are not included
Eligibility: Summer camp participants must be middle or high school students
Deadline: TBA
10. MIT DYNAMIT
Targeting students entering grades 6 through 9 from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, this program strives to instill enthusiasm for STEM disciplines through interactive experiments and challenges. MIT students volunteer their time to teach STEM concepts to these underserved middle schoolers, aiming to ignite their interest in science and engineering, and ultimately shaping the future generation of STEM professionals. The program covers a range of STEM subjects including mathematics, biology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, earth and space sciences, and computer science, featuring captivating activities such as experimenting with bouncy bubbles, launching bottle rockets, and constructing water balloon slingshots. You can find the application form here.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Dates: Rising 6th and 7th graders- August 14th to August 18th,
Rising 8th and 9th graders- August 21st to August 25th
Cost: Entirely Free
Eligibility: 6th to 9th graders from the Boston area
Deadline: March 10th.
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Image Source: Scripps Research Logo