Explore 4 Exciting Summer Enrichment Programs for Middle Schoolers in New Jersey

At Polygence, we define enrichment programs as experiences that provide hands-on, engaging learning experiences outside of a standard curriculum. Enrichment programs are highly beneficial, especially for middle school students. In a meta-study of 26 papers, researchers found that summer enrichment programs not only benefited students’ academic outcomes but also had strong positive effects on middle schoolers’ socioemotional abilities. Participating in summer learning programs helps children build confidence in their social and academic strengths at a crucial moment during their development.

Top Summer Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students in New Jersey

1. Liberty Science Center Summer Science Camp

• Dates: July 7 - August 15 (week by week)

• Eligibility: Students entering grade 8 or below

• Tuition: $1,000 - $1,050 per week

Liberty Science Center is a museum in Jersey City that organizes a variety of hands-on summer programs for STEM-oriented middle school students. Their fun and educational science camp runs a completely different course each week of the summer, encouraging broad scientific exploration through guided experiments and creative projects. Their upcoming course offerings for students entering grades 6-8 include:

• “A Puzzling Escape” (an escape room game design course covering logic puzzles, circuitry, 3D printing, and more)

• “CSI: LSC” (an introduction to forensic science, forensic pathology, forensic anthropology, and more)

• “Drone Flight School” (a drone operation class that teaches coding skills for programming flight paths

2. iD Tech Camp at Princeton University

• Dates: June 30 - August 15 (week by week)

• Eligibility: Students ages 7 - 17

• Tuition: $1,229 - $1,579 per week

iD Tech’s courses teach programming skills in a fun and collaborative environment, often through video game design and development projects. Their courses range from introductory coding camps (including a girls-only Python session) to advanced classes on AI and machine learning. For students interested in the growing video game development industry, iD Tech offers courses on game design, 3D character modelling, VR game design, and more! In addition to their camp located at Princeton University, programs are available at Montclair State University and at Fairleigh Dickinson University - Madison.

3. Camp Invention

• Dates: Vary by location (each camp lasts one week)

• Eligibility: Students entering grade 6 or below

• Tuition: Varies by location (approx. $300 - $400)

Camp Invention is a one-week enrichment program from the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The camp sends a staff of experienced educators to schools throughout the country, including to more than two dozen locations in New Jersey in 2025. Each program lasts for one week and focuses on building STEM and collaboration skills in a fun and open environment, encouraging curious tinkerers to become creative young inventors and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

4. Somerset County Environmental Education Center Summer Camp

• Dates: July 7 - 18 (Swampology) and July 21 - August 1 (Flora & Fauna)

• Eligibility: Students ages 10-13

• Tuition: $800 per two-week session

The summer program for middle schoolers at Somerset County’s Environmental Education Center is called “AWESIM KIDS” (the acronym stands for Animals, Wetlands, Environment, Science, Imagination, Minds, Knowledge, Interdependence, Discovery, and Solutions). The majority of AWESIM KIDS camp days last from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, but each session includes exactly one “double day” that goes until midnight and includes a “unique evening swamp activity.” The first session (July 7 - 18) focuses on the environmental science of wetlands, ponds, and the Passaic River; canoes will be used. The second session (July 21 - August 1) takes place primarily on land and studies the plants and animals throughout the center’s 500-acre park.

Do Summer Enrichment Programs Impress Colleges?

Yes! Great summer programs are opportunities for students to gain valuable enrichment outside of traditional academic settings. Students can build leadership and teamwork skills while completing real-world STEM projects — all of which are highly valued during the college admissions process.

Of course, college and university admissions criteria can vary from one school to the next. However, students who engage in academic activities outside of school are able to clearly demonstrate their curiosity and their commitment to intellectual growth when applying to college. Plus, summer programs completed during middle school look great on applications for specialized high schools and/ for future scholarships.

Why Choose Polygence for Middle School STEM Enthusiasts?

Polygence provides individual or group STEM mentorship for intellectually curious middle school students. Our research mentorship program takes place entirely over video conference, making it simple and easy to incorporate into busy schedules. Whether your child is interested in biology, robotics, environmental science, or another research area, our Core Program lets them choose a STEM project that they are passionate about. From there, we’ll match them with a PhD-level mentor carefully selected from our network of expert researchers. The student will receive 10 total hours of 1-on-1 guidance (about an hour per week, depending on the student’s ideal pace), giving them unparalleled access to ask all of their questions at every stage.

For students who may prefer a small group learning environment, we created Polygence Pods. Pods sessions also take place over video conferences, but in addition to matching students to research program mentors, Pods also connect students to other students. Along with a handful of like-minded peers, your students will engage in mentor-led learning activities and group discussions on an academic topic that fascinates them. Pods meet once per week for one hour; each program lasts six weeks, and each student comes away from the experience with an individual learning outcome.

Whether you choose Polygence’s Core Program or Polygence Pods, our targeted STEM mentorship integrates seamlessly with other summer camps that offer broader educational experiences. With Polygence, students can truly dive deep into a topic that perfectly fits their personal and academic interests.

Give Your Child a Summer to Remember

Summer programs abound in New Jersey for STEM-oriented middle schoolers. Each program offers a unique combination of engaging learning opportunities for your child to explore. Polygence is designed to enhance these experiences, tying into your child’s individual interests and passions through targeted mentorship. Polygence students go deep into their chosen topics through project-based learning, developing valuable research skills under the guidance of PhD-level experts. Students also have the opportunity to receive near-peer support from Polygence alumni research coaches.

Help your child explore their passions this summer with Polygence — where curiosity meets mentorship!