Opportunities
Student Artist: Malie Kozlowski
One of the most common questions we are asked by our alumni and students is: How can I stay involved? This space is an evolving answer to that question, and provides opportunities for you to dive deeper into ocean science and conservation, connect with other young creatives and activists, and showcase your research or campaign at global events.
Student Artist: Malie Kozlowski
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES* 🔎
*This list is by no means exhaustive; you should explore opportunities at your local aquariums, science centers, community arts organizations, and universities.
Have a resource or event to share? Contact us.
Volunteer, Internship & Employment Opportunities
COLLEGE STUDENTS +
California
- Turtle Island Restoration Network Residential Internships
- Marine Conservation Institute Internships
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Internships
Florida
- Coral Restoration Foundation Summer 2022 Internship (May 9, 2022-August 27, 2022) – Deadline: February 25
- Marine Discovery Center: Jobs & Internships
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center Internships
- Reef Relief Internships
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center Internships
Maine
- Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge Summer Internships – Deadline: February 11
- The Climate Initiative: Policy Advocacy Intern
Massachusetts
- Center for Coastal Studies: Summer Educational Programs Internship (June-August) – Deadline: March 11
- Penikese Island School: Summer Camp Counselors (July 6-August 20)
- New England Aquarium Internships
New Hampshire
- Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation Summer & Fall Internships – Deadline: March 1
Rhode Island
- 11th Hour Racing Summer Internships – Deadline: February 18
Washington
Washington, DC
- White House Council on Environmental Quality Internship (Spring, Summer)
United States
- NOAA Explorer-in-Training Program – Deadline: February 5
- Alliance for Climate Education Influencer Campaign – Pays cash to content creators on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube who are ready to engage their audience in tackling the climate crisis
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Citizen Science Volunteer Opportunities
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Destination Marketing/Communications for Ocean Recreation & Tourism Volunteer Internship (Remote)
- Plastic Tides Internships (Remote)
- This is Zero Hour: Social Media Team
International
- Indo Ocean Project Internships (Indonesia)
- Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation Internships (Greece)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
United States
Educational Opportunities: Beyond the Classroom
COLLEGE STUDENTS +
International
- The School for Field Studies: Environmental Study Abroad Programs
- Cape Eleuthera Institute: Gap Year (Bahamas)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Massachusetts
- Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids: The Blue Crew, a virtual club, where students in grades 5-8 with a passion for the ocean to come together to learn about marine science
International
- The Island School: Fall, Spring, or Summer Academic Terms (South Eleuthera, Bahamas)
- Marine Science & Nautical Training Academy: Field Studies in Coral Reef Biology (British Virgin Islands)
Campaigns, Conferences & Events
International
- Ocean Institute: Virtual Marine & Environmental Sciences College & Career Fair (March 12, 2022) – This event will provide the opportunity to learn about educational programs in the areas of marine and environmental sciences directly from colleges, universities, etc., as well as professional pathways and careers.
Contests, Grants & Scholarships
United States
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards – Deadline: December 2021-January 2022, depending on region
- Cool Science Artwork Competition – Deadline: January 15
- Chipotle x Earth Force Sustainability Challenge – Deadline: January 31
- K-12 Coastal Art and Poetry Contest (California) – Deadline: January 31
- President’s Environmental Youth Award recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects developed by K-12 youth – Deadline: February 18
- The Next Swell, financial academic scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in the fields of marine biology and marine conservation – Deadline: March 31
- California Coastal Commission: Climate Video Challenge – Deadline: March 31
- 53-Word Story Contest – Deadline: 21st day of each month
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
International
- World Wildlife Day International Youth Art Contest – Deadline: January 26
- World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest – Deadline: February 22
- Science Without Borders Student Art Contest – Deadline: March 7
- Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award honors filmmakers whose stories honor people working to protect the world’s oceans – Deadline: Ongoing
- Breakout Film Festival: Monthly Short Film Contest – Deadline: Last day of each month
- MY HERO Contests: Opportunities to share your art, poems, films, songs, or stories about a hero with a global community – Various Deadlines
- Something or Other Publishing: Open call for short story submissions
- Youth Service America: Everyday Young Hero
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Youth-Led Initiatives & Leadership Opportunities
- Society for Women in Marine Science (SWMS) Mentorship Program pairs high school and undergraduate students with SWMS members to guide them in academic and career decisions.
- The Colorization Collective – This youth-led group assists teen artists of color by providing participants with resources and a community of peers and mentors who look like them and share their experiences, with the goal of creating and promoting diversity in the art world through inclusive and accessible means. Check out their outreach and mentorship opportunities!
- EarthEcho International: Ocean Echo 30×30 – Host an educational event in your community to join other youth from around the world in helping to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through education/outreach, coastal habitat restoration, and policy action.
- FXB Climate Advocates – Join a group of young people who are passionate and committed to climate change: engage with peers, interact with activists, and launch individual or joint advocacy projects.
- Our Climate: “Put a Price On It” Action Team – Join a network of volunteers who are working to advocate for fair and effective carbon pricing policy. You’ll be added to the listserv for occasional updates, included in the Facebook group, and have the opportunity to work on the most important climate fight of our time.
- Project Green Schools: Youth Leadership Council – National Youth Council students are difference-makers who are invited to participate in important environmental regional, national, and world events.
- SEVENSEAS Media University Student Ocean Ambassadors – One ambassador (or team of ambassadors) per university will be responsible for hosting an ocean-themed event on campus each month to spread the word about ocean conservation and sustainable tourism.
- Sunrise Movement – A movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process.
- Survey for the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis – Schools for Climate Action and the National Children’s Campaign are working with the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis to collect data and stories from youth climate activists.
- Sustainable Ocean Alliance’s Ocean Leadership Program – Be part of one of the world’s largest network of ocean advocates, joining forces with young leaders taking action in over 140 countries.
- ThinkOcean: Upper Leadership Team – ThinkOcean is an international network of young environmentalists that has more than 40 chapters in 8 different countries. It is searching for college and high school students with a passion for the environment to help organize initiatives such as legislative lobbying, grassroots organizing, awareness campaigns, and hands-on conservation initiatives. Read more about its work and fill out this form to apply.
- US Youth Climate Strike State Lead – Become a State Lead to help build the people power needed to stop climate change by being part of the grassroots movement taking on the fossil fuel industry.
- Zero Hour: Education Campaign Ambassador – Spread the word of Zero Hour and its work around climate and environmental justice in your communities and in your schools.
Youth Art & Writing Communities
