Opportunities
Student Artist: Malie Kozlowski
One of the most common questions we are asked by our 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
- Natural Resources Defense Council: Summer 2021 E2 Clean Energy Intern – Deadline: April 11
- Marine Conservation Institute Internships
Florida
- Coral Restoration Foundation Internship (May 10-August 27) – Deadline: February 26
- Canterbury School of Florida Marine Studies Department: Marine Science Education Intern (May 31-August 6) – Deadline: March 1
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation: Marine Conservation Internship (May 24-August 13) – Deadline: March 14
- Marine Discovery Center: Summer Camp Assistant Internship (June 1-August 13)
- Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center Internships
- Reef Relief Internships
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center Internships
Georgia
- University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant: Marine Education Fellowship – Deadline: March 12
- University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant: Summer Internships – Deadline: March 26
Illinois
- Natural Resources Defense Council: Summer 2021 E2 Clean Energy Intern – Deadline: April 11
Maine
Maryland
- Morgan State University Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory Summer Internship (June 2-August 11) – Deadline: March 1
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Constituent & Legislative Affairs Volunteer Internship
Massachusetts
- Center for Coastal Studies: Education Program Summer Intern – Deadline: March 19
- New England Aquarium Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
Michigan
- Michigan Sea Grant Environmental Internship – Deadline: March 1
New York
- Natural Resources Defense Council: Summer 2021 E2 Clean Energy Intern – Deadline: April 11
Virginia
- Virginia Aquarium’s Life Support Division: Water Quality Lab Internship (June-August) – Deadline: March 26
Washington
United States
- 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
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: Destination Marketing/Communications for Ocean Recreation & Tourism Volunteer Internship (Remote)
- This is Zero Hour: Social Media Team
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: Citizen Science Volunteer Opportunities
International
- Environmental Law Institute: Development Intern (May-October) – Deadline: March 1
- Costa Rican Alliance for Sea Turtle Conservation & Science: Volunteer Field Assistants (May 20-August 20) – Deadline: March 15
- 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 +
Alaska
- Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska, Kachemak Bay Campus: Semester by the Bay (Spring 2021)
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
- High School Marine Science Symposium (March 15-19, Massachusetts), a week-long event where organizations from across Massachusetts share their work to protect the ocean and paths to a career in marine science
- Ocean Institute: Virtual Marine and Environmental Science College Fair (March 27), a free event that will give high schools students the opportunity to learn about educational programs in the areas of marine and environmental sciences directly from colleges and universities
- Power Shift Convergence 21 (April 16-18), New Orleans: A space for youth activists to get trained on critical skills and grow powerful campaigns for climate, environmental, and social justice for the coming decade, with a focus on the impacts of structural oppression such as environmental racism and the effects of climate disasters, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color
International
- One Earth Film Fest (March 5-14)
- International Coral Reef Symposium: Youth Leaders Workshop (Germany, July 18-23)
Contests, Grants & Scholarships
United States
- Ocean View Art Competition (Rhode Island) encourages students in grades K-12 to interpret the ocean through visual art – Commitment deadline: March 1
- Marine Conservation Institute’s JEDI Ocean Award (Sonoma County, CA) offers cash prizes, mentorship, and other opportunities for Black, Latinx, POC, and Indigenous high school students interested in pursuing studies in marine science and conservation biology – Deadline: March 15
- Youth Making Ripples 2021 Film Competition – Deadline: March 15
- Climate Video Challenge: What Does Climate Justice Look Like to Me? (California) – Deadline: March 31
- OurEcho Challenge empowers middle school students to identify threats to local ecosystems and then propose solutions to help preserve, protect, or repair those natural resources – Deadline: April 22
- President’s Environmental Youth Award, recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth – Deadline: April 30
- 53-Word Story Contest – Deadline: 21st day of each month
- National Ocean Sciences Bowl
International
- Science Without Borders Challenge: The Magic of Mangroves, a competition that inspires students to be creative while promoting public awareness of the need to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources – Deadline: March 1
- Sylvia Earle Ocean Conservation Award honors filmmakers whose stories honor people working to protect the world’s oceans – Deadline: March 1
- North American Marine Environment Protection Association Student Art Contest invites poster submissions that creatively depicts the vital role seafarers play in global shipping – Deadline: March 31
- Imagine 2200 climate-fiction contest seeks short stories that envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress – Deadline: April 12
- Boat U.S. Foundation: Recast & Recycle Contest, a competition to reward the best ideas on how to make recycling of fishing line and soft bait more efficient, more attractive and more accessible – Deadline: May 14
- 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
- Zero Hour 101 online training sessions (March) – Learn how to become better organizers within your communities through sessions on topics such as movement building, finances, base building, and more!
- 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
