STEM Opportunities for Middle School Students
BEAM (Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics) Discovery
“The BEAM Discovery program is a 5-week day-camp focused around mathematics and problem solving. In addition to the classes, you will also enjoy games, sports, and optional field trips. The program is completely free, including all activities, field trips, transportation, and weekday breakfast and lunch. Admissions are competitive: this is a camp for sixth-graders who think they might like math, like solving puzzles, and want to see what else is out there.”
Eligibility: 6th graders only, low income
Application Deadline: Sometime in March, but contact them before March for application materials
Dates: July + August (exact dates TBD)
BEAM (Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics) Pathway
“During your first summer with the BEAM Pathway Program, you will get to experience an environment unlike any other. You will live in college dorms on a campus outside the city, surrounded by nature, as you study interesting mathematics, meet friends who are studying with you, and explore a new place with activities, hiking, and trips. The summer program is three weeks, and like BEAM Discovery, it is free for all participants. This includes food, lodging, transportation, activities, and field trips. Admission are highly competitive. We look for students who like math and solving puzzles, and who want to challenge themselves to do more. BEAM is an accepting and inclusive environment, and we seek to be a safe space for everyone. We want to welcome you as you are, and bring you to somewhere you can be yourself.”
Eligibility: 7th graders only (w/ continued support through high school), low income
Application Deadline: Sometime in March, but contact them before March for application materials
Dates: July (exact dates TBD)
Baruch College STEP Academy
“The Baruch College STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) Academy is a NY State Education Department funded pre-college program for middle and high school students who are interested in pursuing careers in the STEM professions.”
Eligibility: 7-12 graders, low income
Academic Year: Saturday workshops (9:00-2:00)
Summer: Mon-Thurs for 4 weeks in July
City Parks Foundation: Coastal Classroom
“Our program invites middle school students to become actively involved in our marine ecosystem with hands-on learning in parks along the New York City waterfront. Participants will learn about everything from water ecology to quality, urban waterfront restoration to preservation, sparking excitement and passion for conserving our coasts and waterways.”
Eligibility: Open to all 6-8 graders
March - June after school programs
Mondays 3:30-6:00 in Manhattan
Thursdays 3:00-5:30 in Brooklyn
5- and 4-week summer programs available as well
City Parks Foundation: Green Girls Summer Institute
“Our innovative program inspires early adolescent girls to excel as environmental scientists and stewards of New York City’s precious natural resources. We take middle school students on outdoor adventures in parks and along waterways after school and during the summer. Whether bird-watching, canoeing, conducting science projects or doing service, Green Girls develop a new understanding of natural ecosystems for girls, discover how they can create positive change within their environment, and learn about future careers in the sciences.”
Eligibility: Open to all 6-8 graders
Feb-June after school program:
3:00-5:30, weekly
July-August summer program:
Mon-Thurs 9:00-3:00
NYC Parks: Garden Kitchen Lab
“The Garden Kitchen Lab is a hands-on seasonal program that runs from spring to fall. Children can learn how to start and sustain a food producing garden; reap a harvest while picking up new cooking techniques, and learn the science behind cooking. Through a garden kitchen lab, you can bring the freshness of gardens and artisanal foods to the table.”
Eligibility: Age 8-13
Dates: 3 programs available
April - June
July - August
October - December
Creativity in Engineering, Science, and Technology (CrEST) @ NYU
“Creativity in Engineering, Science, and Technology (CrEST) from NYU Tandon’s Center for K12 STEM Education introduces middle school students to circuity, electronics, mechanical systems, physical computing, robotics and other STEM disciplines through hands-on, lab-based demonstrations, experiments, and projects that offer important learning experiences. Students will get the chance to attend 1 week workshops that focus on hands-on computer programming and engineering a variety of interactive devices. Middle school students will be introduced to 3D modeling, design, simulations and animations by providing a cross disciplinary approach to rendering real world objects and ideas in a 3D environment. Students advance from 2D sketches and Tinkercad to Autodesk Fusion 360. These workshops will vary from week to week and follow various exciting themes such as Ardunio and TinkerCAD, The Internet of Things, and 3D Printing and Basic Electronics.”
Eligibility: Entering 5-8 grade in Sept 2020
Application Deadline: June 3
Dates: 5 week-long sessions from July 6 - August, may participate in up to two
Girls Who Code Club
“We are an international nonprofit seeking to inspire, educate, and equip girls with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Girls Who Code has served over 185,000 students across the U.S. and Canada since launching in 2012. Our alumni major in Computer Science and related fields at a rate 15 times higher than the national average. Half of the girls we have served are from historically underrepresented groups. As a central part of the Club experience, girls work with one another on an Impact Project, where they use computer science to solve a problem relevant to their Club and community. Through this project, girls learn teamwork and leadership, while also learning the fundamental computer science concepts that form the basis for all computer programming languages: loops, variables, conditionals and functions.”
Talk to a teacher at your school about finding a Girls Who Code club in your school/community, or start one!