Environmental science programs for high school students typically combine scientific study with applied learning. You are introduced to topics such as ecology, climate science, conservation, and environmental systems through a mix of fieldwork, lab activities, and academic coursework. Many programs include data collection, sample analysis, and project-based work that reflects how environmental research is actually conducted. You may also engage with tools such as GIS, remote sensing, or laboratory equipment, depending on the program. Mentorship is often a core component, with guidance from faculty, researchers, or industry professionals. Some experiences also incorporate site visits, group discussions, or final presentations that help you communicate your findings clearly.
Why should you choose a program in Louisiana?
Louisiana stands out as a strong location for environmental science programs due to its complex and dynamic ecosystems. The state’s wetlands, coastal zones, and river systems provide direct access to environments where environmental change is actively observed and studied. Many programs are built around these landscapes, allowing you to engage with topics such as coastal erosion, habitat loss, and climate change in a setting where they are highly relevant. Universities and research centers in Louisiana often focus on coastal restoration, sustainability, and environmental management, which shapes the structure and focus of their programs. This creates opportunities to see how scientific research connects to policy, infrastructure, and community impact. For students interested in marine science, conservation, or environmental engineering, Louisiana offers a setting where environmental science is closely tied to real-world challenges and ongoing research.
We’ve selected 15 environmental science programs for high school students in Louisiana that emphasize practical experience, academic rigor, and hands-on environmental work.
If you are exploring options beyond Louisiana, you can also look at our broader list of 13 Environmental Science Summer Programs for High School Students to compare program structures and focus areas across locations.
15 Environmental Science Programs for High School Students in Louisiana
1. LSU Coast & Environmental Sciences Summer Camp
Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
Cost: $520
Dates: June 1 – 5
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12
The LSU Coast & Environmental Sciences Summer Camp introduces high school students to environmental research through a combination of fieldwork and lab-based analysis. Over the course of the program, you collect samples, observe environmental conditions, and examine how issues such as pollution, hypoxia, and habitat change affect coastal systems. The experience moves between outdoor study sites and university laboratories, helping students understand how raw data is processed and interpreted. Visits to research centers and conservation areas provide additional context on how environmental challenges are studied in practical settings. You also gain exposure to how environmental science is approached at the university level. The experience culminates in analyzing and presenting findings based on collected data.
2. LUMCON LEAD Camp (Louisiana Estuarine Awareness and Discovery)
Location: Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, DeFelice Marine Center, Cocodrie
Cost: $400 including housing and meals
Dates: June 7–13
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
The LUMCON LEAD Camp introduces high school students to estuarine and coastal science through a residential program centered on field and laboratory work. You take part in activities such as ecological surveys, specimen-based investigations, and data collection using scientific equipment. The program is designed to build an understanding of how environmental questions are developed and how evidence is gathered to study coastal ecosystems. Interaction with marine science professionals provides additional insight into research methods and potential career pathways. The program includes varied field experiences such as research cruises and barrier island exploration, which anchor the learning in real coastal environments. You also gain familiarity with how scientific data is used to interpret environmental change.
3. LUMCON Field Marine Science Camp
Location: Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Cocodrie
Cost: $400 including housing and meals
Dates: June 21–27
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
The LUMCON Field Marine Science Camp focuses on engaging students in field-based research in coastal marsh environments. As a participant, you spend the week collecting data, working in laboratory settings, and developing an understanding of how environmental studies are conducted. The program emphasizes how to design research questions, gather evidence, and communicate findings effectively. You engage with scientists through presentations and discussions, which helps place their work within a broader research context. The experience also highlights the importance of communicating scientific results to different audiences. The program concludes with a presention of your research findings.
4. UNO-AMRI High School Summer Research Program
Location: University of New Orleans / Advanced Materials Research Institute, New Orleans,
Stipend: $2000
Dates: June 1 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students; Must reside and attend high school within 40 miles of the University of New Orleans
The UNO-AMRI High School Summer Research Program places students in a full-time research environment where they work alongside scientists on active projects. Research areas vary and may include topics such as environmental remediation, nanomaterials, or applied science and engineering. You contribute either to individual projects or as part of a larger research team. The program includes regular seminars and tutorials covering topics such as research ethics, safety, and technical methods. Field trips and professional development sessions provide additional context on how research connects to industry and careers. The experience concludes with you synthesizing your work and presenting outcomes from your research involvement.
5. Marsh Maneuvers
Location: Multiple Louisiana coastal sites through the Louisiana 4-H / LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Sea Grant
Cost: $150 (covers lodging, meals, supplies, and camp t-shirt)
Dates: July
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: Youth in grades 9–12
In this course, students examine the structure and function of marsh environments, including species interactions, habitat requirements, and environmental processes. Activities may include field-based exploration, restoration work, and exercises related to coastal management. The program also introduces concepts such as hydrology and ecosystem change through applied learning. You engage with real environmental issues, including conservation and restoration strategies. Group-based activities encourage discussion and analysis of environmental challenges. You’ll also be exposed to experiential components such as marsh tours, restoration projects, and applied exercises that connect scientific concepts to real coastal systems.
6. Louisiana 4-H Wetland Ambassadors
Location: Statewide
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-long programming
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Louisiana 4-H members in grades 9–12
The Louisiana 4-H Wetland Ambassadors program is a leadership-focused initiative centered on wetlands education and conservation. As a participant, you engage in field study, outreach activities, and service projects related to coastal ecosystems. You take part in educational events, retreats, and workshops that deepen your understanding of wetland systems. Outreach is a core component, with you leading activities and presentations within your communities. The experience also introduces career pathways and connects you with professionals in environmental fields. You’ll complete projects and presentations that demonstrate your understanding of wetland-related issues and your ability to communicate them effectively.
7. Audubon Conservation Krewe Teen Program
Location: Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-long opportunity
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Youth ages 14–17
The Audubon Conservation Krewe Teen Program provides students with the opportunity to engage in environmental stewardship through volunteer work across Audubon facilities. You’ll contribute to activities that involve public interaction, environmental education, and conservation-focused initiatives. You gain exposure to how environmental information is presented in public-facing institutions such as zoos and aquariums. The experience also highlights the role of education in supporting conservation efforts. Work varies depending on placement, but typically involves assisting with programs and interacting with visitors.
8. Audubon Zoo Counselors-in-Training (CIT) Teen Program
Location: Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium/Insectarium, New Orleans
Cost: $110 (covers uniforms, training lunches, and training materials)
Dates: Mandatory orientation: April 25 | Training days: May 2, 9, and 16 | Volunteer sessions: June 1–12, June 15–26, July 6–17, or July 20–31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
The Audubon CIT Program engages students in leadership and environmental education through structured support roles in summer camp programming. As a participant, you assist the staff in delivering activities related to animals, nature, and exploration while working with younger students. The experience includes training sessions that prepare you for responsibilities such as group management and activity facilitation. You also develop skills in communication, teamwork, and time management within a supervised setting. The experience also provides further exposure to environmental learning environments at the zoo and aquarium. Responsibilities include assisting with activities, supporting staff, and maintaining a safe and organized environment.
9. Tulane Summer Enrichment Institute – Coastal Engineering
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Tulane Summer Enrichment Institute course in Coastal Engineering introduces you to environmental challenges through the lens of infrastructure, design, and resilience. The course focuses on issues affecting coastal communities, including sea-level rise and the long-term impact of climate change on built and natural systems. You’ll examine how scientific and engineering approaches are used together to address environmental risks. Collaborative work is a key part of the experience, with you exploring potential solutions to practical problems. Exposure to interdisciplinary thinking helps you understand how multiple fields contribute to solving environmental challenges.
10. Tulane Summer Enrichment Institute – One Planet, One Water, My Role
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: June 15 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The One Planet, One Water, My Role course focuses on water as both a critical resource and a global environmental issue. You examine challenges related to water access, infrastructure, and environmental change across both local and global contexts. The program introduces how water systems are affected by natural disasters, population pressures, and environmental degradation. Discussions and activities are designed to connect scientific understanding with real-world applications. You also explore potential solutions and consider the role individuals and communities can play in addressing water-related challenges. The experience emphasizes both environmental science and the broader social implications of water security.
11. Tulane Summer Enrichment Institute – Earth Snapshots: What Satellites Reveal About Our Changing Planet
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: June 15 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Earth Snapshots course immerses students in environmental monitoring through the use of satellite imagery and aerial data. You analyze visual data to track environmental changes such as deforestation, wetland loss, urban expansion, and storm patterns. The program focuses on how large-scale environmental processes can be studied over time using remote sensing tools. Hands-on activities include working with real datasets and exploring how technology is used in environmental research. You also gain exposure to drone-based observation, which adds another perspective to data collection. Discussions focus on how these tools inform environmental decision-making and long-term planning.
12. Tulane Summer Enrichment Institute – Leafy Legends: The Science of Plant Evolution and Adaptation
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Leafy Legends course offers exposure to plant biology through the study of evolution, adaptation, and genetic variation. You examine how plant species have developed over time and how environmental pressures influence their characteristics. The program includes hands-on activities such as observing plant structures, collecting data, and analyzing interactions with pollinators. Concepts in genetics are explored through applied exercises that connect directly to plant systems. Collaborative work encourages discussion and interpretation of findings, and a field-based component provides the opportunity to study plant diversity outside the classroom.
13. Tulane Summer Enrichment Institute – Form, Function, and Evolution in Louisiana’s Fishes
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: June 29 – July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Form, Function, and Evolution in Louisiana’s Fishes course introduces students to biodiversity through the study of fish morphology and ecology. You learn how physical traits relate to habitat, behavior, and evolutionary relationships. The program includes hands-on work with specimens and digital tools to support identification and analysis. You’ll dive into concepts such as classification and phylogeny to understand how species are related. A field-based component helps you connect classroom learning to real biodiversity research. The experience focuses on linking structure, function, and evolution to better understand aquatic ecosystems.
14. Tulane Science Scholars Program
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: Varies by course (June/July)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-graders who have a strong interest in science and mathematics
The Tulane Science Scholars Program provides students with the opportunity to engage in college-level coursework across science and engineering disciplines. Environmental-focused offerings explore topics such as climate change in coastal ecosystems and the use of satellite and drone technology to study earth systems. You participate in lectures, discussions, and applied assignments that reflect university-level expectations. The program emphasizes analytical thinking and the ability to work with complex scientific concepts. Exposure to faculty-led instruction provides insight into academic and research pathways in STEM fields. The residential format also introduces you to the structure and pace of college life.
15. Tulane Young Public Scholars Program
Location: Tulane University, New Orleans
Cost: Varies as per program
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
The Environmental Media Production course within the Young Public Scholars Program focuses on how environmental issues are communicated through digital media. You work on creating content such as short documentaries, video pieces, and other media formats for a real-world environmental organization. The program introduces both technical production skills and the role of storytelling in shaping public understanding. You examine how the media influences awareness, policy, and action related to environmental challenges. Collaborative projects form a central part of the experience, with you contributing to shared outputs. The experience culminates in the creation of a digital portfolio that reflects both technical and analytical work in environmental advocacy.
One more option—Horizon Academic Research Program
If you are looking for a competitive mentored research program in environmental science, you can consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! It is a selective virtual research program that allows you to engage in advanced research and come up with a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1,000+ high school students so far, offering 600+ research specializations to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Tulane University