15 Summer Internships for Middle School Students
Summer internships can help you connect classroom learning with real-world problem-solving, even if you are still in middle school.
What do summer internships for middle schoolers involve?
These experiences can show you what different careers actually look like, from building a prototype to explaining science to younger visitors or working on a community project. They can also help you practice communication, teamwork, leadership, and independent thinking in settings that feel different from a regular classroom.
Why pursue a summer internship in middle school?
If you are planning for high school, early summer experiences can help you build the confidence and skills needed for more selective internships later. Starting now also gives you a head start on figuring out which fields genuinely interest you before you have to make bigger choices about high school coursework.
Below are 15 summer internships for middle school students. For related opportunities, check out our guides on business programs for middle school students and summer programs in NYC for middle school students.
Quick Look
1 entrepreneurship-focused, fully virtual option: the Junior Innovator Program, which pairs you with one-on-one mentorship as you build a real project, a natural stepping stone toward programs like Young Founders Lab once you reach high school.
6 free programs: MIT dynaMIT, Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers, CTE Summer Discovery, Career and Technical Education Summer Camp, and others.
3 volunteer-based, unpaid roles: Play Pals Teen Volunteer Program, Summer Teen Volunteer Program, and (partially) Zoo Futures.
2 residency-restricted programs: the Middle School Cyber Safety Cadet Program (New Jersey students only) and CTE Summer Discovery (Madison, WI students).
Most programs run one to eight weeks over the summer, with a few offering ongoing exposure across multiple summers, like Zoo Futures.
15 Summer Internships for Middle School Students
1. Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge
Location: U.S. and U.S. territories; finalists attend national programming
Cost/Stipend: No application fee specified; finalists receive awards and recognition
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; nominees come from the top 10% of eligible affiliated science fair competitors
Program Dates: Science fair season typically runs during the school year; national finalist activities occur after selection
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 6, 7, or 8 who qualify through a Society-affiliated science fair
The Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge is not a traditional internship, but it gives you a serious research pathway at the middle school level. To participate, you first complete a science or engineering project and compete at a Society-affiliated science fair. If your project places in the top eligible group, you may be nominated to apply to the national competition. You develop research, data analysis, scientific writing, and presentation skills, which are valuable for future lab internships and STEM programs. The experience is especially useful if you want to test whether you enjoy long-term scientific investigation.
2. Junior Innovator Program
Location: 100% virtual, with one-on-one mentorship and interactive events
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Flexible start dates; varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to middle school students
The Junior Innovator Program is a virtual entrepreneurship incubator where you develop a project that addresses a problem you care about. You move from an initial idea to a more structured venture concept by learning entrepreneurship, pitching, problem-solving, and business fundamentals. Through one-on-one mentorship, you work on ideation, market thinking, communication, and leadership while also joining interactive events with other young founders. The program is useful if you want to explore business or innovation before high school because it gives you a concrete project to build rather than only lectures to watch. You also get exposure to how founders and professionals think through problems, test ideas, and present solutions.
3. MIT dynaMIT
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; recent program materials reference about 80 students
Program Dates: Summer; exact dates vary by year
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in spring
Eligibility: Massachusetts middle school students; exact grade requirements may vary by year
MIT dynaMIT is a free STEM summer program where you explore science and engineering through hands-on activities led by MIT students. You work on experiments, design challenges, and projects that introduce you to technical problem-solving in a college environment. The program is valuable because it combines mentorship with accessible STEM exploration, especially if you have not had many advanced STEM opportunities at school. You can expect to collaborate with other students, ask questions, and build confidence working through unfamiliar technical problems. If you live in Massachusetts and are interested in engineering or science, this can be a strong early exposure opportunity.
4. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Eight weeks; timing varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is an online research experience designed to help you build academic writing and independent research skills. You choose a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and work one-on-one with a PhD-level mentor. During the program, you learn how to explore a focused question, analyze information, and organize your findings into a formal project or research paper. This is a strong option if you are curious about research but are not yet old enough for most high school research internships. It can also help you practice advanced reading, writing, and critical thinking in a structured setting.
5. Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $220 for the three-week program; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Three weeks in summer
Application Deadline: June 14
Eligibility: Middle school students, with priority details varying by year
Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer is a project-based program where you explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through making and design. The focus for this year is climate and sustainability, so you work on hands-on activities connected to real-world environmental challenges. You may build, test, revise, and present ideas while learning from MIT-affiliated educators and mentors. This program is useful if you like creative problem-solving and want to see how science and engineering connect to public issues. It is also a good fit if you want a structured campus experience without committing to a traditional lab internship.
6. Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers
Location: In person at participating HBCUs, HSIs, and community colleges across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by host site
Program Dates: Summer; many sites run multi-week programs
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Middle school students, especially students from under-resourced schools; local eligibility varies by host site
Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers is a free program that introduces you to STEM and entrepreneurship through project-based learning. Depending on the site, you may work with technology such as 3D printing, augmented reality, robotics, design thinking tools, and digital media. The program is valuable because it combines technical skills with career exploration and social entrepreneurship, so you are not just learning how a tool works but also how it can be used to solve problems. Since it is hosted through partner colleges, you may also get early exposure to a campus environment. Check the specific host site near you because dates, grade requirements, and application steps vary.
7. Rice Computer Engineering Design Academy
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Cost not specified on the main program page; check Rice’s current registration details
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: One week in summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Rice University’s Computer Engineering Design Academy is a hands-on STEM program where you explore engineering through design, coding, and prototyping. You may work with tools such as Micro: bits, CAD programming, rapid prototyping, and engineering design challenges. The program is useful if you want to understand what computer engineering looks like beyond classroom math and science. You get to connect abstract STEM concepts to physical products and real applications, which can help you decide whether engineering is something you want to pursue more seriously. It is especially relevant if you enjoy building, testing, and improving designs.
8. Summer PEAKS
Location: Georgia Tech campus, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: 2026 Atlanta programs generally range from $440 to $550 depending on topic and length
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Weekly sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Varies by session; registration is typically first-come or availability-based
Eligibility: Middle school students; grade requirements vary by session
Georgia Tech’s CEISMC Summer PEAKS programs offer middle school students hands-on STEM and STEAM experiences on campus. Depending on the session, you may explore robotics, coding, science, engineering, game design, or related technical fields. The program is valuable because it gives you a practical look at STEM work in a university setting while helping you build problem-solving and collaboration skills. You work through guided projects rather than only listening to lectures, which makes it easier to understand how technical ideas are used in real situations. This is a strong option if you live near Atlanta and want a campus-based summer experience.
9. Mechanical Engineering STEM Summer Programs
Location: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Cost/Stipend: $500 for the Advanced Middle School Program
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15–19 for the Advanced Middle School Program
Application Deadline: Not specified; registration availability may vary
Eligibility: Ages 12–14 or rising 7th–9th graders; some tracks may require prior STEM experience
Colorado State University’s Mechanical Engineering STEM Summer Programs introduce you to engineering through interactive activities and design challenges. In the advanced middle school track, you explore engineering concepts in a more applied way, especially if you already have some STEM background. You may work with tools, models, design processes, and lab-style activities that show how engineers approach real problems. The program is useful if you are interested in mechanical engineering, robotics, product design, or applied physics. It can also help you understand whether you enjoy the hands-on side of engineering before taking more advanced high school courses.
10. Middle School Cyber Safety Cadet Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: New Jersey students in grades 6, 7, and 8
The NJCCIC Middle School Cyber Safety Cadet Program introduces you to cybersecurity concepts in a structured, age-appropriate format. You learn about online safety, cyber risks, responsible digital behavior, and possible cybersecurity career paths. This is a useful opportunity if you are interested in technology but are not yet ready for a formal coding or security internship. Because the program is virtual, you can build foundational cyber awareness without needing to travel to a campus. It can also prepare you for more advanced high school cybersecurity internships and competitions later.
11. CTE Summer Discovery for Middle School Students
Location: Madison, WI
Cost/Stipend: Free for eligible MMSD students; lunch and snacks are provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Registration may be approved or waitlisted
Program Dates: Summer; dates vary by academy
Application Deadline: Varies by year and program
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th grade MMSD students
MMSD’s CTE Summer Discovery program gives you hands-on exposure to career and technical education pathways before high school. Options may include areas such as culinary arts, carpentry, health sciences, video production, engineering, or transportation, depending on the year. The program is valuable because you learn by doing, whether that means practicing technical skills, using industry tools, or completing a small project. You also get a better sense of which high school CTE pathways might match your interests. If you attend MMSD, this is a practical way to explore careers without paying for a private summer program.
12. Career and Technical Education Summer Camp
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free for eligible School District of Philadelphia students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Space may be limited
Program Dates: Summer; dates vary by year
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8 in the School District of Philadelphia
The School District of Philadelphia’s CTE Summer Camp gives middle school students early exposure to career and technical education pathways. You may explore fields connected to high school CTE programs, which can help you make more informed course and pathway choices later. The program is useful because it focuses on career exploration and practical skills rather than only academic review. You can expect hands-on learning, exposure to different industries, and activities that help you understand what technical programs involve. If you are a Philadelphia student, this can be a free way to explore career interests close to home.
13. Zoo Futures
Location: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer; students may participate across multiple summers
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6–8
Zoo Futures is a summer program focused on conservation science, environmental measurement, and STEM career exploration. You learn about zoo operations, wildlife conservation, and the scientific work that supports animal care and habitat protection. This opportunity is valuable if you are interested in biology, environmental science, veterinary pathways, or informal science education. You may take part in hands-on STEM research activities while exploring how different professionals contribute to conservation work. Because it is designed specifically for middle school students, it offers a more age-appropriate pathway than many zoo internships that start in high school.
14. Play Pals Teen Volunteer Program
Location: North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Cost/Stipend: Volunteer role; cost not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; spots may be limited
Program Dates: Summer-only opportunity, typically May through August
Application Deadline: Varies by year
Eligibility: Teen volunteers; North Carolina Zoo teen opportunities include 6th–12th grade students
The Play Pals program lets you volunteer in Kidzone, the North Carolina Zoo’s nature-based play area for younger children. You help facilitate activities such as fort building, stream play, crafts, storytelling, wildlife spotting, and nature exploration. This is valuable if you are interested in education, child development, conservation, or careers in museums and zoos. You practice public communication, responsibility, and leadership while helping younger visitors engage with nature safely. It is not a paid internship, but it gives you real volunteer experience in a professional public-facing environment.
15. Summer Teen Volunteer Program
Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton, OH
Cost/Stipend: Volunteer role; no stipend specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; application, recommendation, and interview required
Program Dates: Summer; dates vary by year
Application Deadline: Applications are closed; future deadlines may vary
Eligibility: Ages 14–18
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s Summer Teen Volunteer Program gives older middle school students and high school students a chance to gain experience in a museum environment. As a teen volunteer, you may help with educational activities, visitor support, and public-facing museum programming. The program is especially useful if you are interested in science education, animals, museums, or working with children and families. Because the application process includes a questionnaire, recommendation, and interview, you also get practice with professional application skills. If you are 14 by the program start date, this can be a strong first step toward future museum internships.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there free summer internships for middle school students?
Yes. MIT dynaMIT, Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers, and several CTE-focused programs in Madison and Philadelphia are all free, though some are limited to specific school districts.
2. Is there a program focused on entrepreneurship rather than a single STEM subject?
The Junior Innovator Program is built around developing a real project that solves a problem you care about, with one-on-one mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. It's a strong lead-in to programs like Young Founders Lab, which offers a similar hands-on model once you're in high school.
3. Are there volunteer opportunities rather than paid or academic internships?
Yes. The Play Pals Teen Volunteer Program and Summer Teen Volunteer Program at museums and zoos both let you gain real volunteer experience in a professional, public-facing environment without pay.