Next Steps for Middle School Students
As a middle schooler, you're starting to discover what excites you, and that's powerful!
Now is the time to explore what it means to care for others. Whether it's learning about the human body, talking to health professionals, or volunteering in your community, every step brings you closer to a future in medicine…and pediatrics!
Activities & Ideas
You're old enough to take the lead! Start discovering what you care about, what excites you, and how you might make a difference as a future doctor or scientist.
Looking For Programs? Start with UChicago
Why UChicago? At the University of Chicago, we believe every child should have the opportunity to explore careers in science, healthcare, and medicine. Through our schools, hospitals, community partnerships, and outreach programs, students can connect with mentors, participate in hands-on STEM experiences, build leadership skills and begin building pathways toward future careers in healthcare.
Explore dozens of University of Chicago-supported programs focused on education, mentorship, and STEM. We recommend starting with these University of Chicago opportunities before exploring additional Chicago-area STEM and healthcare programs.
UChicago - Office of Civic Engagement Youth Programs
One of the best places to start is the University of Chicago's Youth Programs Directory, which brings together dozens of programs focused on STEM, mentorship and academic enrichment.
Highlights: Learn about our wide variety of University of Chicago-supported programs, initiatives, and community resources.
Website:Website
UChicago - South Side Science Festival
A free, all-ages science celebration held annually at UChicago's Hyde Park campus. With over 100 hands-on demonstrations, live experiments, robotics, 3D printing, and interactive panels, the festival brings science to life for kids, teens, and families alike.
Highlights: Past festivals have included activities like CPR training, fossil exploration, and liquid nitrogen experiments. Ideal for elementary, middle, and high school students eager to explore STEM in a fun, engaging environment.
Website:Website
UChicago – Neighborhood Schools Program
A UChicago program that provides K–12 students with academic support, tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities to help them succeed in school.
Highlights: The Homework Help Initiative (HHi) connects students with UChicago student volunteers across all subjects for extra help. For students needing more consistent academic support and mentorship, the Tutor Match Program matches a UChicago student tutor for weekly one-on-one sessions in math, reading, science, and more.
Websites:Homework Help InitiativeTutor Match
UChicago - South Side Science Scholars (S4)
A UChicago mentorship program connecting students at the William T. Sherman School of Excellence (K-8) for engaging, weekly after-school science activities.
Highlights: Strong focus on curiosity, confidence, and scientific thinking.
Next, Talk With Your Child's School
After exploring UChicago opportunities, connect with your child's teachers, counselors, and school STEM coordinators to learn about local programs.
You can ask about:
- Chicago Public School STEM programs
- School-based STEM clubs
- Science fairs and competitions
Additional Chicago STEM & Healthcare Programs
After-school Alliance – Little Medical School
Hands-on programs for kids ages 4–14 that explore health careers through interactive STEM lessons. Topics include becoming a doctor, veterinarian, or forensic scientist.
Highlights: After-school and summer options; national program with Chicago locations; themed kits and camps.
Website:Website
@rtifice (Artifice)
A Woodlawn-based organization that uses project-based, hands-on learning to explore science and technology.
Highlights: Combines tech and entrepreneurial skills to help make students masters of their own destiny.
Website:artificechicago.org
Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) Mentoring Map
An interactive tool developed by APPD to connect URiM students—from kindergarten through pre-med—with experiential STEM programs across the U.S. It allows users to search by zip code for opportunities like research internships, clinical shadowing, and college prep, helping students build confidence and pursue careers in science and medicine.
Highlights: Nationwide access, free to use, supports diversity in STEM and healthcare.
Website:Website
Challenge Island – Central Chicago
Award-winning STEAM enrichment combining adventure-themed learning with team challenges that promote critical thinking and creativity.
Highlights: Creative group activities; after-school programs and camps; ages 5–12.
Website:Website
Chicago Public Library – YOUmedia STEM Programs
Chicago Public Library offers teen and tween programming in STEM, coding, design, and creative media across multiple branches.
Highlights: Free and local; middle school–friendly STEM drop-ins and workshops; tech and creativity focused.
Website:chipublib.org/youmedia
Chicago Public School - Health Science Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
Many CPS high schools host Health Sciences CTE programs, but some middle schools offer introductory exposure through Career Awareness programming and science fairs that partner with health institutions.
Highlights: Early exposure to medical professions, aligned with high school health pathways.
Website:cps.edu/cte
Chicago STEM Pathways Cooperative
A citywide network of organizations (like Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago Academy of Sciences, Shedd Aquarium) offering STEM programs for middle school students. Not health-specific but great for early exposure.
Highlights: Comprehensive program directory searchable by age and interest.
Chicago Youth Programs – STEM Clubs
Serves underserved youth across the city with after-school enrichment, including STEM clubs and mentorship for middle schoolers.
Highlights: Longitudinal support; academic, STEM, and leadership tracks; serves youth on South and West Sides.
Website:chicagoyouthprograms.org
Creating Pathways and Access for Student Success (CPASS) – Chicago Area Health & Medical Careers Program (CAHMCP)
A long-standing initiative offering academic enrichment, career exposure, and mentorship for students from middle school through college.
Highlights: Keep up to date by joining STEMMing Forward - their monthly newsletter of inspiration and innovation.
Girlstart (Chicago Area)
Girlstart delivers innovative STEM programming designed specifically for girls in grades 4–8. Their After-School programs are offered in several Chicago public schools and include hands-on activities in coding, engineering, astronomy, and more—all aimed at boosting girls' confidence and curiosity.
Highlights: Gender-responsive curriculum, free to schools and families, led by trained STEM facilitators.
Website:Website
Girls Who Code – Chicago Chapters
National organization with middle school clubs throughout Chicago. Focuses on building coding confidence and problem-solving skills in girls and nonbinary youth.
Highlights: Free weekly coding clubs; beginner-friendly; encourages teamwork and creativity.
Website:girlswhocode.com
Girls 4 Science
A nonprofit dedicated to engaging girls aged 10-18 in STEM through hands-on lab, field, and classroom experiences. Programs include Saturday STEM Academies at multiple Chicago locations and summer camps that cover everything from biology to robotics.
Highlights: Free enrollment, focus on underrepresented youth, role model exposure, parent engagement.
Website:Website
Illinois Resources And Programs for Increasing Diversity in Health Professions (RAPID)
RAPID has a comprehensive online directory designed to help Illinois students of all ages explore and connect with healthcare and STEM programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Highlights: Programs from elementary school to graduate school and everything in between!
Website:Website
Kids STEM Studio
Chicago-based program offering weekly classes, after-school programs, and camps focused on coding, engineering, and robotics.
Highlights: Hands-on tech exploration for ages 4–14; age-appropriate instruction and projects.
Website:Website
Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine
Loyola offers summer and after-school pathway programs for underrepresented youth in health sciences. Some programs extend to middle schoolers through partnerships with local schools.
Highlights: Mission-driven service learning, shadowing, and health disparities education.
Website:ssom.luc.edu/diversity
Lurie Children's Hospital
Has a variety of programs to help middle school students explore healthcare career exposure and skill-building activities.
Highlights: Interactive career exposure; mentorship and confidence-building; middle school–focused.
Website:luriechildrens.org
Northwestern University - Boys & Girls Science Club
Weekly mentoring and experiments with grad students for middle schoolers. Long-term engagement builds confidence and scientific thinking.
Highlights: Weekly hands-on science; long-term mentorship; CPS and community-based.
Website:scienceclub.northwestern.edu
Northwestern University - Medicine Discovery Program
Aimed at middle school students, this program offers exposure to biomedical research and healthcare careers through workshops, lab experiences, and faculty mentorship.
Highlights: Students participate in monthly sessions that include lectures, hands-on activities, and mentorship from healthcare professionals.
Websites:K-8 programsHS programs
Project Exploration
Provides free, hands-on science programs to underrepresented youth across Chicago. Programs like "Sisters4Science" and "Science Giants" combine mentorship with exciting STEM challenges.
Highlights: After-school and summer options, transportation and meals often included, strong emphasis on equity and access.
Website:Website
Rosalind Franklin University
Their Mini Medical School and Parent Hero Academy provide an engaging, hands-on introduction to the health sciences for 4th–8th grade students and their families.
Highlights: Through interactive case studies, experiments, anatomy exploration, and role-model mentorship, young learners and parents discover the world of medicine together.
Website:Website
Rush University
Provides healthcare and STEM education experiences for Chicago students. Programs include field trips, hands-on simulations, and career exploration activities at Rush University Medical Center.
Highlights: Focus on West Side youth, exposure to real health professionals, structured career pathways.
Snapology Chicago
STEAM education through LEGO®, K'Nex, and tech-based activities. Great for early exploration of robotics, engineering, and problem-solving.
Highlights: Year-round classes and camps; ages 4–14; robotics, design, and team-based learning.
Website:Website
Sneakers to Scrubs
A Chicago-based program that empowers Black student-athletes to explore healthcare careers through sports medicine camps, hands-on workshops, and mentorship.
Highlights: Free programs for middle and high schoolers; CPR training; founded by med students & athletes.
Website:sneakers2scrubs.org
South Side STEM Station
Community-based STEM programs designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world problem solving.
Highlights: STEM workshops and enrichment programs; hands-on projects; mentorship opportunities; community-focused learning experiences.
Website:Website
STEAM Academy Chicago
Technology-rich after-school programs focused on solving real-world challenges with creativity and innovation.
Highlights: Interactive learning for ages 4–12; hands-on exploration of coding, engineering, and more.
Website:Website
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
UIC's Health Science Learning Exchange / Urban Health Program (UHP) supports pathway programs for underrepresented youth, including STEM clubs and summer enrichment for middle school students through partnerships with CPS schools.
Highlights: Academic enrichment, mentorship, and exposure to careers in health sciences.
Website:uhp.uic.edu
This is just a start!
Looking for even more opportunities? Try searching for terms like "Chicago STEM programs," "middle school science camps," or "healthcare career programs for youth" to see what else might be on offer!
- Chicago Public Library – Free Homework Help
- Brainfuse Online Tutoring: Access live, one-on-one tutoring daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. in subjects like math, science, English, and social studies. Available in English and Spanish, this service supports students from early elementary through college prep levels. Additional resources include practice tests (e.g., ACT/SAT), a writing lab, and video lessons. Learn more
- Teacher in the Library: Certified teachers provide homework assistance and study skills support at various CPL locations. This program operates during the school year, from the week before Labor Day to the week before Memorial Day, with breaks aligning with public school schedules. Learn more
- Learning Tools: CPL also offers a range of online learning tools, including access to Khan Academy for video tutorials and practice exercises in various subjects. Learn more
- Chicago Public Schools Department of STEM: CPS offers a variety of STEM programs across its schools, aiming to make every school STEM-ready and every student STEM-powered. Programs include curriculum enhancements and extracurricular activities to promote STEM education. Be sure to talk to your child's science teachers & counselor to see what's on offer!