Opportunities
One of the most common questions we are asked by our program participants 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.
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES* 🔎
*This list is by no means exhaustive; you should always explore opportunities at your local aquariums, science centers, and universities.
Have a resource or event to share? Contact us.
Volunteer, Internship & Employment Opportunities
COLLEGE STUDENTS +
Alaska
- Alaska Conservation Foundation Internships (May 20-August) – Deadline: February 16
California
- National Marine Mammal Foundation: Marine Mammal Internships – Deadline: March 1 for Summer; June 1 for Fall
- Marine Conservation Institute: Blue Parks Internship
Connecticut
Florida
- REEF Marine Conservation Internship (June 15-August 21) – Deadline: March 8
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Education Internships
- Reef Relief: Education Internship (Spring)
- Reef Relief: Community Engagement Internship (Summer)
- Reef Relief: Coral Camp Education Internship (June to mid-August)
- Ocean Conservancy: Dana Wolfe Legal Internship Program (Summer)
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Various Internships
Massachusetts
- New England Aquarium Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
- National Marine Life Center Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Environmental Education Internship – Deadline: March 1 for Summer
New Hampshire
- Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation: Summer and Fall Internships – Deadline: March 1
North Carolina
- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Summer Internships (10 weeks beginning late May) – Deadline: March 15
- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores: Education Internship – Deadline: March 15
- North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores: Special Activities Internship – Deadline: March 15
Washington
United States
- NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research: Explorer-in-Training Program – Deadline: January 31
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Citizen Science Volunteer Opportunities
International
- Ocean Exploration Trust: Science & Engineering Internship Program – Deadline: January 24
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute: Coral Reef Education Internship (Cayman Islands) – Deadline: July 1 for Winter; October 1 for Spring 2021
- Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation: Various Internships (Greece)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Massachusetts
- Northeastern University Marine Science Center Outreach Program and Girls Inc. of Lynn: Beach Sisters Peer Leaders – This is a great opportunity for teen girls looking to learn about education and marine biology, while also making some extra money after school. Contact Mary at [email protected] to find out more and apply.
New Hampshire
United States
Educational Opportunities: Beyond the Classroom
COLLEGE STUDENTS +
Alaska
- Alaska Coastal Summer Institute (July 12-August 14)
- Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska, Kachemak Bay Campus: Semester by the Bay (Fall 2020 or Spring 2021)
California
- California State University Monterey Bay: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (June 7-August 15) – Deadline: February 1
International
- International Field Studies: Wildlife Conservation in Borneo (June 24-August 5) – Deadline: April 1
- The School for Field Studies: Environmental Study Abroad Programs
- Cape Eleuthera Institute: Gap Year (Bahamas)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Alaska
- Teen Eco-Adventure Camp (July 2020) – For ages 12-15, this 10-day outdoor adventure and environmental stewardship camp explores the changing environment and how this connects to a most basic part of our lives – food – through activities such as camping, hiking, berry picking and preserving, learning about salmon fishing, tidepooling, understanding ethnobotany and local edible plant uses, and cooking a range of homemade foods. For more information, contact [email protected] or 907-235-1974 .
Massachusetts
International
- Huntsman Marine Science Centre (St. Andrews, Canada): Summer Marine Field Courses (July)
- The Island School: Fall, Spring, or Summer Academic Terms (South Eleuthera, Bahamas)
- Cape Eleuthera Institute: Summer Research Programs (South Eleuthera, Bahamas)
- Marine Science & Nautical Training Academy: Field Studies in Coral Reef Biology (British Virgin Islands)
Campaigns, Conferences & Events
California
- Girls in Ocean Science Conference (February 15 for Middle School; March 21 for High School)
Georgia
- Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (February 25) – Registration deadline: January 31
Massachusetts
- High School Marine Science Symposium (March 5)
Virginia
- Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (March 7) – Registration deadline: February 14
United States
- Students for Zero Waste Week (March 16-April 24) – Join this school-driven, week-long campaign to reduce waste on school campuses and within local communities with the intention of moving towards zero waste.
International
- Three-Day, Youth-Led Global Climate Mobilization and Strike (April 22-24)
- Ocean Heroes Bootcamp (Vancouver, Canada, June 26-29)
Contests, Grants & Scholarships
Florida
- Ocean Matters: Florida Marine Ecology Expedition Scholarship (June 19-29) – Bow Seat is providing one full scholarship (valued at $3,500) for a high school student to participate in this expedition, where they will earn scuba certification; participate in a coral restoration project; learn about manatee, turtle, and dolphin conservation from researchers in the field; and gain skills to make a difference. To be eligible, students must submit to Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest by March 1st, AND apply separately to Ocean Matters by March 15th.
United States
- Merlyn Climate Grants (New England and New York) – Deadline: January 31
- Paul Walker Youth Leadership Award – Deadline: February 5
- Ocean Exploration Trust: Nautilus Expedition Patch Design Contest – Deadline: March 1
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
International
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: National One Earth Award (United States and Canada) – Recognizes students whose creative works address the pressing issue of human-caused climate change. Deadline: Varies by region
- Portraits from the Precipice: A Worldwide Art Movement to Save the Planet – Deadline: February 1
- World of 7 Billion Student Video Contest – Deadline: February 27
- Action for Nature: Eco-Hero Award – Deadline: February 28
- Ocean Exploration Trust: Nautilus Expedition Patch Design Contest – Deadline: March 1
- Spellman HV Clean Tech Competition: Reducing Individual Impacts – Registration Deadline: March 13
- Science Without Borders International Student Art Contest – Deadline: April 20
- Greening Forward: Earth Savers Club Grants
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Youth-Led Initiatives & Leadership Opportunities
- Alliance for Climate Education: Florida Action Fellowship – Deadline: January 26
- SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Youth Advisory Council – Deadline: February 10
- 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
