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 +
California
- Pacific Marine Mammal Center: Summer Camp Counselor – Deadline: April 6
- National Marine Mammal Foundation: Marine Mammal Internships (Fall 2020) – June 1
- Marine Conservation Institute: Blue Parks Internship
Connecticut
D.C.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Education Internship (Summer) – Deadline: March 30
Florida
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center: Animal Care Intern
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center: Education Intern
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center: Scientific Research and Conservation Intern
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Education Internships
- Reef Relief: Community Engagement Internship (Summer)
- Reef Relief: Coral Camp Education Internship (June to mid-August)
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Various Internships
Maine
- Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership: Various Employment and Internship Positions (Summer)
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
- Gundalow Company: Summer Camp Lead Counselors (mid-June to August)
New York
North Carolina
- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island Summer Internships (Fall) – Deadline: July 15 for Fall
Oregon
- South Slough Reserve: Science Camp Education Internship (June 22-August 24) – Deadline: May 15
Washington
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center: Camps Assistant (Summer) – Deadline: March 30
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center: Marine Education Internships (Summer) – Deadline: April 25
- Sound Experience: Month-Long Educator/Deckhand Internship
United States
- This is Zero Hour: Social Media Team
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Citizen Science Volunteer Opportunities
International
- Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences: Fall Research Internship (August-November, open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only) – Deadline: May 31
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute: Coral Reef Education Internship (Cayman Islands) – Deadline: July 1 for Winter; October 1 for Spring 2021
- Common Tides: Marine Science Expedition Internship/Volunteer Opportunity (July 1-26, U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation: Various Internships (Greece)
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Florida
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)
International
- International Field Studies: Wildlife Conservation in Borneo (June 24-August 5) – Deadline: April 1
- Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences: Summer Courses – Deadline: April 30
- 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 .
California
- California Ocean Alliance: Marine Mammal Scientist in Training Program (Summer 2020) – Deadline: June 20
Maine
Massachusetts
- Coastal Ocean Science Academy (Summer 2020) – Deadline: June 19
- Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids Summer Workshops
- Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids Blue Crew
New Hampshire
- Gundalow Company: Apprentice Program (Summer 2020)
Rhode Island
- Inner Space Center: Ocean Exploration: Naval Science and Technology Camp (July 20-24) – Deadline: April 2
- Inner Space Center: Ocean Science Exploration Camp (July 6-10)
Washington
- Deep Green Wilderness: The Orca Project Research Voyage (June 21-July 3) – Deadline: April 17
- Deep Green Wilderness: Wild Whales Research Voyage (July 19-August 8) – Deadline: May 8
- Port Townsend Marine Science Center: Summer Camps
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
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
- Earth Day Live (April 22-24)
- Ocean Heroes Bootcamp (June 26-29)
- International Coral Reef Symposium: Youth Leaders Workshop (Germany, July 5-6)
Contests, Grants & Scholarships
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Marine Educators Marine Art Contest – Deadline: May 1
- Woods Hole Sea Grant and Earthwatch Institute: Girls in Science Fellowship (August 8-15) – Deadline: May 4
United States
- Roots & Shoots Mini-Grants – Deadline: April 13, May 11
- OurEcho STEM Innovation Challenge – Deadline: April 21
- Youth Making Ripples 2021 Film Competition
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
International
- Ocean Exploration Trust: Nautilus Expedition Patch Design Contest – Deadline: April 1
- University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science: Underwater Photo Contest – Deadline: April 6
- Spellman HV Clean Tech Competition: Reducing Individual Impacts – Registration Deadline: April 10
- Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes – Deadline: April 15
- Science Without Borders International Student Art Contest – Deadline: April 20
- State-Fish Art Contest – Deadline: April 30
- Fish Migration Art Award – Deadline: April 30
- Earth Island Institute: Brower Youth Award for Environmental Leadership (North America) – Deadline: May 1
- Build a Better Box for Sea Turtles Design Contest – Deadline: June 1
- Marine Aquarium Societies of North America: Student Scholarship Program (North America) – Deadline: June 5
- Breakout Film Festival: Monthly Short Film Contest – Deadline: Last day of every month
- Youth Service America: Everyday Young Hero
- Greening Forward: Earth Savers Club Grants
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Youth-Led Initiatives & Leadership Opportunities
- The Wild Center: Youth Climate Leadership Retreat (New York, August 5-7) – Deadline: May 1
- 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
