New Summer Program for Middle Schoolers: Future Scientists: Biology Edition – Jun 1

Posted by Penn Arts and Sciences on March 10, 2026

New this year, Penn Arts and Sciences is offering an on-campus summer program for middle school students – Future Scientists: Biology Edition. Students currently in 7th or 8th grade during the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible to apply for this summer. The program is designed to give students a taste of life in a molecular biology lab—all participants will explore the topics hands-on.

Through supervised experiments, participants will gain familiarity with common tools and experimental techniques used in molecular biology research, meet Penn researchers, and tour Penn laboratories. Techniques include DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, light microscopy, ELISA, and sterile cell culture.

Choose from two sessions:

• Monday, July 6, 2026 – Friday, July 10, 2026
• Monday, August 10, 2026 – Friday, August 14, 2026

This program is taught by Dr. Hanna Sherrill, the Associate Director of the Science Outreach Initiative. Class meets in Leidy Labs on Penn’s campus, and students will receive a lab coat to keep, eat lunch daily in a University dining hall, and earn a Certificate of Completion.

Application Deadline: June 1, 2026 (Apply by May 15 to save $300 off tuition.)

Ready to apply? Parents are required to complete the online application. We accept applications on a rolling basis until all seats are full; limited space is available.

For questions about this new program, please contact the Penn Arts and Sciences program team at middleschoolprograms@sas.upenn.edu or (215) 746-2309.

Learn more and apply.

Please note that Penn employee tuition benefits do not apply to this program.