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.
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 2026, 7th graders will meet from July 20th through August 7th.
- 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.
How much does the program cost?
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.
- Free Tuition: low income families (second column from left in the chart below)
- Reduced Tuition: ($3,932.50/year): moderate or middle income families (third column from left in the chart below)
- Full Tuition: ($7,865/year): families with higher than middle income (far right column in the chart below)
Following are household income requirements for free and reduced tuition:
Household Size |
Free Tuition |
Reduced Tuition |
Full Tuition |
2 people |
$99,440 or below |
$99,441–$205,095 |
$205,096 or higher |
3 people |
$111,840 or below |
$111,841–$230,670 |
$230,671 or higher |
4 people |
$124,240 or below |
$124,241–$256,245 |
$256,246 or higher |
5 people |
$134,160 or below |
$134,161–$276,705 |
$276,706 or higher |
6 people or more |
$144,080 or below |
$144,081–$297,165 |
$297,166 or higher |
How to Apply
Applications are currently closed.
Watch this short information session video about the application process.
Questions? Reach out to [email protected]. Please sign up on this mailing list if you would like to be updated about any of our Middle School Programs.
Press
- 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.
- In 2015-16, students in the Lang program collaborated with Museum Curator Susan Perkins to produce two games based on her exhibit, The Secret World Inside You. Download the card game, Gutsy. Or try the Minecraft Map that explores the human microbiome.
- A 2014 study found that the Lang model enhances STEM interest, motivation, and persistence in girls who have participated. In 2014, to promote the Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs exhibit, Lang students made a video in which they attempted to pronounce Pterosaur names.
- EdLab at Columbia University's Teachers College visited Lang in the summer of 2013 and made this video. Lang students participated in NASA's MoonKAM project.
- Read about Henry Lim, who was a winner in the 2011 Young Naturalist Awards. Read the New York Times article on Henry's work.
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.