Summer STEM Programs for Middle School Students
Summer STEM Programs for Middle School Students
Virginia Tech summer programs give middle school students the chance to go deeper into emerging technologies through hands-on, project-based STEM learning. Depending on the offering, students may explore artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, coding, data, engineering design, or other technologies while working through challenges that require experimentation and problem-solving. Programs are designed to help learners understand not only how technology works, but how it can be used to address real-world problems. Along the way, students build technical skills, teamwork, and confidence while discovering STEM careers and college and career pathways they may want to explore next.
Location: Virginia Tech’s Academic Building One in Alexandria
Registration typically opens late November/Early December 2026
Explore Programs:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Program Overview
Code, build and explore what’s next in AI.
Middle school students explore artificial intelligence and robotics through an immersive, hands-on summer experience at Virginia Tech’s Academic Building One in Alexandria. Students design and program a VEX IQ robot for a Mars Rover-style mission while building engineering, coding, teamwork, and problem-solving skills and discovering STEM career pathways. Students strengthen hands-on learning, project-based learning and college and career readiness while connecting what they learn to real-world problems and future opportunities.
Audience / Grade Range: Grades: 6-8
Upcoming Dates / Availability: Summer Only | June 22- June 25 | 8:30am - 4:00pm
Duration: 40 hours
Registration Fee / Program Cost: $800 Pathway Scholarships Available
Program Overview:
The AI and Robotics Program is a dynamic, 40-hour educational experience hosted at Virginia Tech. Designed for middle school students, this program immerses young learners in the world of robotics and artificial intelligence, with a focus on developing a VEX IQ robot that simulates a NASA Mars Rover Mission. Students will gain foundational skills in engineering and programming, including simulation programming of a rover, while exploring various STEM career paths.
What to Expect:
Participants will engage in a comprehensive learning journey, beginning with foundational engineering and programming principles and progressing to more advanced topics such as sensor integration and autonomous navigation. Students will tackle daily challenges that mirror real-world problems faced by astronauts and engineers, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The experience culminates in a final project presentation, where students showcase their innovations and reflect on their learning journey.
Core Activities:
- Design and Program a VEX IQ Robot: Students will build and program a robot to simulate a Mars rover mission, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Implement Simulation Programming: Participants will learn how to write simulation programs that enable their rover to mimic real-world Mars exploration tasks.
- Explore STEM Careers: Participants will engage with professionals in fields such as robotics, AI, and space exploration, broadening their understanding of potential career opportunities.
- Develop Presentation Skills: Throughout the program, students will prepare and deliver a project presentation, enhancing their communication abilities.
Skills Gained
Through participation in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Program, students will acquire the following skills:
- Foundational Engineering and Programming:
- Gain hands-on experience with designing and programming a robot, simulating a real-world engineering project.
- Robotic Components and Functionality:
- Understand the basic components and functions of robots, enhancing their technical aptitude.
- Coding and Simulation:
- Develop skills in block and text coding, including simulation programming to mimic Mars rover tasks.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:
- Apply problem-solving techniques and critical thinking to overcome challenges and optimize robot performance.
- Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Enhance abilities to work effectively in teams, fostering communication and collaboration skills.
- Presentation and Communication:
- Build confidence and competence in preparing and delivering presentations, a vital skill for future academic and professional endeavors.
This program is designed to inspire and equip students with the skills and knowledge to pursue their interests in STEM, fostering a lifelong curiosity and passion for exploration and innovation. By the end of the program, participants will have gained valuable experience in robotics and AI, and will be equipped with the confidence and inspiration to pursue future educational and career opportunities in the STEM field.
Explore the Future Through Data & Sensor Technology
Sense the world. Design what comes next.
Middle school students explore how sensors and data help technology respond to the world around us. Through hands-on design challenges, learners collect and interpret data, build simple connected systems, and strengthen problem-solving skills while discovering emerging STEM careers. Students explore how sensors work and apply them to real-world contexts including healthcare, environmental monitoring, and smart homes, while building critical thinking and collaboration skills. Students strengthen hands-on learning, project-based learning and college and career readiness while connecting what they learn to real-world problems and future opportunities.
Audience / Grade Range: Grades: 6-8
Upcoming Dates / Availability: Summer Only | July 19 - July 23 | 8:30am - 12:30pm
Duration: 40 hours
Registration Fee / Program Cost: $400 Pathway Scholarships Available
Mandatory student and parent virtual orientation one week prior to prorgram starting. Details will be emailed to parents/guardians after registration.
Program Overview
Register for the “Explore the Future Through Data and Sensor Technology” 15-hour Summer Program! This immersive experience invites middle school students to delve into the fascinating world of sensor technology, coding, and data science. Students will not only learn about technology, but also see, hear, and perceive it in action. The summer program is designed to engage young minds in a hands-on learning environment. Through interactive sessions, students will explore a variety of sensors, how they work and their applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring and smart homes. They will be encouraged to think critically and creatively and work collaboratively as they uncover hidden insights within data and code sensors to perform specific functions.
What to Expect
Hands-on, Minds-on Sensor Exploration:
Students will have the opportunity to explore an array of sensors, each offering unique ways to interact with the environment:
- Light Sensors: Understand how sensors detect light and how this data can be used in various applications.
- Color Sensors: Explore how color detection can be applied in technology and industry.
- Touch Sensors: Learn about the mechanics and uses of touch sensors in everyday devices.
- Sound Sensors: Discover how sound is captured and analyzed through technology.
- Temperature Sensors: Investigate how temperature changes are monitored and their significance in different fields.
- Accelerometer Sensors: Explore how movement and acceleration are measured and their importance in devices.
- Humidity Sensors: Learn how humidity levels are tracked and their applications in different environments.
- Ultraviolet Sensors: Understand how UV radiation is detected and its relevance to health and safety.
- Air Quality Sensors: Discover how air pollution is monitored and its impact on the environment and health.
- Gyroscope Sensors: Delve into how orientation and angular velocity are measured in various technologies.
Uncovering Data Insights
In addition to sensor exploration, the program emphasizes data analysis. Students will learn to interpret data collected from sensors and use it to draw meaningful conclusions. This process will enhance their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World STEM Skill Development
Students will acquire essential STEM skills that are applicable in real-world scenarios. The program aims to build a strong foundation in:
- Coding: Basics of programming necessary for interacting with sensor technology.
- Data Science: Techniques for analyzing and visualizing data to make informed decisions.
- Electronics: Understanding electronic components and how they work together in systems.
Exploration of STEM Careers
As part of the program, students will gain insight into various STEM careers in labs, museums, and industry settings. They will explore fields such as computer science, electronics, data science, and engineering through field trips and guest speakers. This exposure will help them understand the multitude of opportunities available and inspire them to pursue further education and careers in these dynamic fields.
Join us in this exciting journey to explore the future through data and sensor technology.
Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action
This summer program immerses students in the science of flight through hands-on drone piloting and coding challenges. Participants will explore lift, thrust, drag, and weight while learning to fly drones manually and program autonomous flight paths with block coding.
Upcoming Dates / Availability: Summer Only | July 12 - July 16| 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Mandatory orientation: July 1, 2027 at 5:30pm
Registration usually opens late November / early December.
Duration: 5 days
Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Registration Fee: FREE
Location: Virginia Tech Academic Building One in Alexandria
Grade Range: 6-8
Mandatory student and parent virtual orientation one week prior to program starting. Details will be emailed to parents/guardians after registration.
Program Overview:
Get ready to lift off with Flight Lab: Drone Dynamics in Action, a high-energy, hands-on summer program designed for middle students excited by flight, coding, and innovation. Hosted at the Virginia Tech Academic Building One in Alexandria, this immersive week-long camp introduces students to the world of aerial robotics through daily challenges, guided learning, and collaborative exploration.
What to Expect:
Participants will learn the principles of drone flight and aviation dynamics, dive into block-based coding, and put their new skills to the test through manual flight drills and autonomous missions. The program features a blend of real-world FAA drone safety training, engaging icebreakers, and team-based activities like Drone Soccer scrimmages where students design, build, and pilot their drones through goal-oriented gameplay and CoDrone Challenges, where students demonstrate their flight mastery, programming skills, and problem-solving abilities in an aerial obstacle course. Industry based field trips and guest speaker engagement activities to introduce students to the world of work and innovation.
Core Activities:
- FAA TRUST safety certification
- Manual flight skills and coding missions
- Drone Soccer design, build, and flight
- Team-based engineering and troubleshooting
- CoDrone flight challenges and competitions
- College and career-based tours and guest speakers
Skills Gained:
- Drone piloting (manual and coded flight)
- Engineering and design thinking
- Team collaboration and communication
- Foundational coding concepts
- Real-world problem-solving using STEM
Whether you're a curious beginner or a future aerospace engineer, this camp provides a launchpad to explore careers in uncrewed systems, robotics, and beyond. Join us for a week where drones aren’t just toys—they’re tools for the future.