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
- San Francisco Bay Keeper: Development Intern (September 2021-April 2022)
- Marine Mammal Center: Conservation in Marine Mammal Response Internship
- Marine Conservation Institute Internships
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Internships
Connecticut
- New England Science & Sailing Foundation: AmeriCorps STEM Education Ambassadors (August 2021-August 2022)
Florida
- Marine Discovery Center: Jobs & Internships
- REEF Marine Conservation Fall 2021 Marine Conservation Internship (August 23-December 17) – Deadline: June 27
- Coral Restoration Foundation Fall Internship (September 6-December 18) – Deadline: June 28
- Coral Restoration Foundation Summer 2022 Internship (May 9, 2022-August 27, 2022) – Deadline: February 25, 2022
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center Internships
- Reef Relief Internships
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center Internships
Massachusetts
Washington
Washington, DC
United States
- Boston Sea Rovers 2022 Summer Internship – Deadline: June 30
- Common Energy: Community Energy Advocate (Remote)
- 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)
- Ocean Conservancy Internships (Remote)
- Plastic Tides Internships (Remote)
- Sea Grant’s Community Engaged Internship aims to broaden participation in coastal, ocean, and marine sciences by offering paid internships to students from under-resourced, underrepresented and/or indigenous and tribal populations
- This is Zero Hour: Social Media Team
- World Wildlife Fund: Education Content Intern (Remote)
International
- Marine Programme Intern (Spain)
- Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation Internships (Greece)
- MARINElife Fundraising Volunteers (United Kingdom)
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
Colorado
Massachusetts
- Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summits on Climate Change and Public Health (Boston, July 18-24 and/or July 25-31): The Summits will train students to be leaders in their communities through workshops, field-based activities, and meetings with scientists, health and policy experts, academics, energy innovators, and more.
- Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids: Marine Megafauna Week (Chatham, August 9-13): Students in grades 5-8 will participate in hands-on ocean scavenger hunts at local estuaries, conduct a scientific study of marine mammals, and create a music project
New Jersey
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
United States
- Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference: Student Track (June 28, Virtual) – Networking activities and presentations on the topics of climate science, justice, and action for middle and high school students passionate about tackling climate change
- National Marine Educators Association Student Conference (July 15, Virtual) will include a career panel, opportunity for networking, and student presentations of projects related to the marine environment.
- Ocean Science: Marine & Environmental Sciences Career Fair (October 9, Virtual) – This free event will provide the opportunity to learn about a variety of careers in marine and environmental sciences, as well as internship and volunteer opportunities, and learning experiences/academic coursework, that will be helpful to prepare for each career.
International
- International Coral Reef Symposium: Youth Leaders Workshop (July 18-23, Germany)
- ClimateScience Olympiad 2021 – Local Qualifiers (through September)
Contests, Grants & Scholarships
United States
- National Marine Sanctuaries: Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest – Deadline: September 6
- 53-Word Story Contest – Deadline: 21st day of each month
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
International
- Wayfinder Society: Stay Stoked Award provides financial support for young leaders’ personal education and development, school efforts, community projects, internships, networking events, etc. connected to addressing the plastic crisis – Deadline: July 14
- 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
- Something or Other Publishing: Open Call for Short Story Submissions
- MY HERO Contests, opoprtunities to share your art, poems, films, songs, or stories about a hero with a global community
- Youth Service America: Everyday Young Hero
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Youth-Led Initiatives & Leadership Opportunities
- Future Voters Action Week is a 5-day virtual leadership training that empowers students to develop a plan to register voters in their high school – Deadline: June 30 for national programs
- 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
