Lang Science Program
Do you love watching rocket launches, following #nature on Instagram, watching birds fly overhead, or learning about different cultures around the world? You can learn about all of that and more as a student in the American Museum of Natural History’s Lang Science Program!
The Lang Science Program is a six-year science program spanning middle and high school for students who live or go to school in New York City. Lang is for students who are curious about the world and eager to deepen their understanding of science.
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Through hands-on exploration, mentorship, and collaboration, Lang nurtures students’ curiosity and guides them to become informed, responsible contributors to and consumers of science. Our goal is to help students discover what they love about science and see how scientific skills and ways of thinking can be applied to any passion or career path.
Daniel Kim/© AMNH
Daniel Kim/© AMNH
Caregivers: Is Lang Right for My Child?
Take this quiz!
- Does your child have a favorite branch of science or simply love exploring nature or learning about people and our planet?
- Can your family make Lang a priority for three weeks in the summer and 15–18 Saturdays during the school year?
- Can your student travel to the Museum? Or can you support them in getting here?
- Is your child open to learning how to work as a community? Science is done as a team.
- Are you ready to partner with our staff to support your child’s academic and personal growth throughout their years in the program?
Program Overview
In middle school, students take courses in the major sciences that are exhibited and studied at AMNH, such as Anthropology, Geology, Astrophysics, Genetics, and other Life Sciences. Classes build on each other, creating a comprehensive experience.In high school, students choose courses and research topics, allowing them to concentrate on particular fields if they so choose, or continue taking a wide selection of different sciences. We offer courses in preparing for and applying to our high schoolers, as well as workshops for building career skills.
If six years isn’t for you, we encourage you to take a look at the Science Alliance Program, which offers weekday science programs for middle schoolers.
- Students join us for 3 weeks in the Summer and 15 to 18 days in the academic year for courses and workshops at AMNH.
- The Museum becomes your classroom, as you learn about the major sciences that are exhibited and studied at AMNH (such as Anthropology, Geology, Astrophysics, Genetics, and Conservation Science). This includes exploring the halls and exhibits, visiting collections and lab spaces, and taking classes with students who share your passion for science. You’ll also visit nearby forests, zoos, research centers, and other museums!
- In addition to investigating various scientific content areas, Lang scholars will focus on building skills in these main areas: critical thinking, collaboration, and communication
- As students approach graduation, traditional classroom learning transforms into college prep, experiential learning opportunities across NYC, and the opportunity to apply to paid internships.
- Junior and senior year can be stressful as youth approach high school graduation. The Lang 11th and 12th grade year has reduced hours, flexibility in scheduling, and support for college preparation.
- We keep the Lang community together with social gatherings and activities that happen throughout the calendar year.
At Lang, we believe that learning thrives in a community grounded in curiosity, care, and connection. Together, students, families, and staff create a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
Through one-of-a-kind STEM experiences in the Museum, we nurture both the mind and the heart, supporting students’ academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and confidence as young scientists and citizens.
Our team is guided by restorative practices: focusing on building strong relationships, fostering open communication, and working through challenges with empathy and accountability. We see mistakes and conflicts as opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen our shared community.
We invite every member - students, families, and staff - to help cultivate an inclusive environment where all voices are heard. Families are encouraged to join us at seasonal and annual gatherings that celebrate our collective journey of learning and discovery.
We invite students from across our five boroughs to explore human cultures, the natural world and our universe in a way that is creative, social, relevant, and welcoming.
To apply to the Lang Science Program, you must be:
- someone who loves science and can’t get enough of it!
- curious about the world and eager to to expand your knowledge
- enthusiastic about trying new things and challenging yourself
- Value working in diverse teams and collaborating with others
and...
- currently in the 6th grade
- living in and/or going to school in the five boroughs of NYC
- able, willing, and eager to commit to a 6-year program that meets for 3 weeks every summer, and 15-18 Saturdays during the school year
- able to attend all dates of this year’s summer session: July 20th to August 7th, 2026
For the incoming class starting in Summer 2026, program tuition is scaled to family income and size. Please see the income eligibility chart below to see if you qualify for free or reduced (50%) tuition. For those that do not qualify for tuition assistance, tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is $7,865/yr for the incoming class. Tuition is set annually and is announced by early spring.
We meet for 3 weeks each summer, and 15-18 Saturdays each school year.
- In the summer of 2027, orientation for the new team will be on Friday, July 23. Summer programming will follow on July 26 to August 13.
- During the summer, our schedule is Monday–Friday, from 10 am–3 pm with a one-hour lunch break. During the school year we typically meet on scheduled Saturdays, also from 10 am–3 pm.
Times may change due to trips and other special events. In high school, students may have the option to meet during after-school hours instead of Saturdays.
Tuition Rates
For the incoming class of 7th grade students, tuition is scaled to family size and income. Tuition rate is determined according to New York City affordable housing eligibility.
- Full Tuition: $7,865/year
- Reduced Tuition: $3,932.50/year
- Free
Following are household income requirements for free and reduced tuition:
| 2 | $108,560 or below | $108,561 - $223,905 | $223,906 or higher |
| 3 | $122,160 or below | $122,161 - $251,955 | $251,956 or higher |
| 4 | $135,680 or below | $135,681 - $279,840 | $279,841 or higher |
| 5 | $146,560 or below | $146,561 - $302,280 | $302,281 or higher |
| 6 | $157,440 or below | $157,441- $324,720 | $324,721 or higher |
| 7 | $168,320 or below | $168,321 - $347,160 | $347,161 or higher |
Application Process
Applications open: Friday, October 30, 2026, at 10 am ET
Deadline: Tuesday, January 5, 2027, at 11:59 pm ET.
Requirements: (instructions in application)
- 3 written responses from the student
- 2 written responses from a parent/guardian
- 2-minute video providing a creative solution to a science problem provided in the application
Interview Process
- Upon review of all applications, select students will be invited for an interview at the museum to meet with program staff and educators. Instructions for the interview will be provided in the invitation.
- Interviews will be held at the Museum on the following dates in 2027: January 27, January 29, January 30, and February 6.
- Final decisions for acceptance into the program will be made in Spring 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
We want to hear about your interests, curiosities, and passions! We want authentic, honest responses, so we highly encourage you to show up as yourself and share the things that bring you joy.
Please encourage your child to consider writing about the activities and subjects they enjoy doing and learning about. Help them to identify and discuss these interests more deeply, even if this includes dinosaurs!
We accept up to 24 6th graders each year.
Yes, all 3 weeks of summer programming are mandatory. This is when we invest in peer-to-peer relationships to strengthen our community and build the foundational knowledge every student needs to thrive in the program.
Yes, students must currently be in the 6th grade to apply and will start the program the summer before their 7th grade school year.
Absolutely! If you are not in the 6th grade or if six years seems like too big of a commitment for you, we highly encourage you to check out our Science Alliance Middle Schoolprogram.
If you’re in High School, you can check out our Science Alliance High School program.
Questions? Reach out to [email protected].
Press
- 2022: Authentic STEM research, practices of science, and interest development in an informal science education program.
- In 2018, a major study was published on Lang alumni, pointing to four reasons why students in the program tend to stick with STEM topics through college and into their careers.
The American Museum of Natural History Lang Science Program and Lang Scholar Awards are made possible by the Eugene M. Lang Endowment Fund.
Additional support has been provided by Melvin Klugman; the Zeldin Family Foundation; and Mary Beth Maloney.
Middle School Programming in the Gilder Center is proudly sponsored by the New York Life Foundation.