Climate science is one of the most urgent and intellectually rich fields a high school student can engage with right now. For students considering environmental science, sustainability, climate policy, or research-heavy STEM fields, a high school climate science program is a smart choice!
These programs go well beyond classroom environmental science. You engage with real data, real research questions, and real scientific methodologies in a way that fundamentally changes how you understand the relationship between human activity and natural systems.
What do climate science programs for high schoolers include?
Most programs combine fieldwork, data analysis, and research with direct mentorship from environmental scientists and policy professionals. You might collect and analyze climate data, work with atmospheric or oceanographic models, study ecosystem responses to environmental change, or examine how climate science informs policy decisions at local and global levels.
For college applications, a rigorous climate science program signals genuine scientific engagement and intellectual initiative in a way that stands out. It tells admissions committees that your interest in environmental issues is backed by real research experience rather than a general concern for the planet.
Without further ado, here are 15 climate science programs for high school students worth exploring! If you’re looking for fully funded or no-cost opportunities, you can also explore our guide to free environmental science programs for high school students!
Key Takeaways
- Climate science programs for high schoolers go beyond classroom environmental science, placing you in real research settings where you work with atmospheric data, field sampling, ecosystem analysis, and climate modeling tools
- Options span a wide range of formats, from fully funded paid internships like Hutton, LINC, and RISE Shore Corps to competitive residential programs at Columbia, Stanford, Yale, and UC Davis
- Several programs, including Hutton ($3,000), LINC SOL ($2,400), and RISE Shore Corps ($1,000), provide stipends, making hands-on climate research financially accessible
- Strong programs on this list connect climate science to adjacent fields, including policy, economics, environmental justice, and community engagement, reflecting how the field actually operates professionally
15 Climate Science Programs for High School Students
1. Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains
Location: Vermont State University, Castleton, VT
Cost: $7,290
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (including rising 9th graders)
The Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains lets you study topics such as climate modeling, decarbonization pathways, sustainability, and international climate negotiations through a combination of lectures and applied activities. The program includes hands-on environmental data collection methods like tree coring, biological surveys, turbidity testing, and water quality analysis. You also use tools such as the EN-ROADS climate simulator to explore how energy, policy, and emissions decisions interact at a systems level. The experience concludes with final presentations and poster sessions where you present research findings and climate action proposals.
2. University of Chicago’s Young Innovators Climate & Energy Program
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,500 (full financial aid + travel assistance is available for eligible students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: 11th graders (15+)
This climate science program introduces high school students to the scientific, economic, and policy dimensions of climate and energy systems. Through discussion-based seminars, lectures, assigned readings, and collaborative projects, you examine topics related to renewable energy, environmental impacts, and energy policy decision-making. Faculty from institutes, including EPIC and the Climate Impact Lab, lead sessions that connect climate science with economics and public policy analysis. You also participate in industry-focused programming, including discussions with professionals working in renewable energy generation and sustainability sectors.
3. Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s Young Investigators
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer; dates vary by research group
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least one year of high school and live and attend school in the San Francisco Bay Area
The Young Investigators program places high school students directly into sustainability and environmental research groups at Stanford, where you work alongside graduate researchers, postdoctoral scholars, and lab staff. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to projects involving climate data, marine fossil analysis, energy systems, ecosystem health, geology, agriculture, or environmental behavior research. Many internships involve one-on-one mentorship, while others use collaborative team-based structures centered on active scientific investigations. Research activities can include laboratory analysis, field sampling, computational work, and data interpretation connected to ongoing university projects.
4. The Watershed Institute’s Summer Programs
Location: The Watershed Institute, Pennington, NJ
Cost: $525 – $575 (Scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Weekly sessions in July
Application Deadline: Payments due by March 18
Eligibility: High school students
The Watershed Institute offers several climate science programs for high school students focused on environmental research, sustainability design, and green infrastructure. Across different sessions, you may study water quality, wildlife ecology, sustainable architecture, or environmental engineering through fieldwork and project-based learning. Programs combine scientific investigation with professional skill-building, giving you experience working with environmental data, conducting outdoor research, and presenting findings. Each session concludes with a final presentation format such as a research poster, film, interpretive installation, or multimedia presentation.
5. Rice University Center for Environmental Studies Summer Program
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students attending HISD schools
Rice University’s environmental studies summer program explores climate justice and environmental storytelling through interdisciplinary workshops, field experiences, and arts-based projects. The program examines environmental challenges from both scientific and social perspectives while introducing methods of community-focused storytelling. You participate in discussions and participatory activities led by university faculty, graduate students, and environmental experts working in climate justice and public engagement. Excursions and field experiences connect classroom discussions to environmental issues affecting local communities and ecosystems.
6. Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost: $2,650 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 300 students
Dates: June 28 – July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-graders who have been nominated by an educator or WYSE alumni (self-nomination is available for limited spots)
The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment is an interactive environmental studies program where high school students examine conservation, sustainability, environmental policy, and related scientific fields through simulations and experiential learning activities. You participate in role-based decision-making exercises that explore the scientific, ethical, and practical challenges involved in environmental problem-solving. The curriculum includes discussions with researchers, scientists, conservation professionals, and policy experts who provide insight into different environmental career pathways and current issues in sustainability. You also engage in field experiences connected to environmental research and conservation work, including visits with scientific organizations and institutions.
7. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Within a 45-minute commute of the student’s home
Cost: None. A stipend of $3,000 is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: High school students (16+)
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week internship where high school students work directly with fisheries and aquatic science professionals in research and conservation settings. Since placements vary by mentor organization, your experience may include laboratory work, field sampling, office-based data analysis, or marine and freshwater ecosystem studies. Students in this climate science program often participate in activities such as fish population surveys, aquatic habitat restoration, water quality testing, and specimen analysis under microscopes. Some internships also involve boat-based research, snorkeling, electrofishing, or extended field expeditions that expose you to real environmental monitoring practices.
8. NSLC Environmental Science & Sustainability Program
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $4,495 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 12 – 20; June 24 – July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The NSLC Environmental Science & Sustainability program introduces high school students to environmental systems, conservation strategies, and sustainability-focused problem solving through simulations, labs, and design projects. You examine topics related to ecosystems, climate systems, and environmental decision-making while participating in hands-on activities like soil testing, water analysis, and green building design challenges. The program uses experiential exercises to show how environmental science connects to urban planning, conservation, and sustainable development. Site visits and industry-focused tours provide additional exposure to how sustainability initiatives are implemented in professional settings.
9. UC Davis Young Scholars Program
Location: UC Davis School of Education, Davis, CA
Cost: $7,750 (fee reductions available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 40 students
Dates: June 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (16+) in the U.S.
The UC Davis Young Scholars Program is a research-focused summer experience. You will conduct independent scientific investigations in biological, agricultural, environmental, and natural sciences laboratories. Over six weeks, you work closely with faculty mentors and research groups while developing an individual project connected to ongoing university research. Early portions of the program combine lectures with laboratory work, while later weeks shift toward full-time research participation. Students maintain research notebooks, prepare journal-style scientific papers, and present findings during a formal symposium at the end of the program.
10. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE)’s Shore Corps
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Cost: None. A stipend of $1,000 is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 7 –August 14
Application Deadline: Applications open in April
Eligibility: 9th to 11th graders who live or attend school in the Rockaway Peninsula in New York
RISE’s Shore Corps internship combines environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and community planning through collaborative summer projects for high school students. You work alongside professionals and local organizations on initiatives connected to environmental science, food systems, and sustainability within coastal communities. The program incorporates practical outdoor activities such as kayaking, biking, and water safety training while also introducing students to environmental planning and public engagement work. Rather than focusing on classroom instruction, Shore Corps emphasizes teamwork, community-based projects, and place-based environmental learning.
11. UConn Pre-College Summer’s Earth and Environmental Sciences
Location: University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Cost: Varies; you can find exact information here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: April 1 (early bird), June 1 (final payment)
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are 14-17 years old with a minimum 2.0 GPA. Certain courses may have specific prerequisites
The Earth and Environmental Sciences program gives high school students an introduction to geology, environmental science, and Earth system research through a combination of lectures, laboratory activities, and field investigations. Working with university faculty and researchers, you study topics such as climate change, geologic history, natural hazards, and environmental sustainability. The curriculum includes hands-on analysis of rocks, soils, sediments, and water samples to demonstrate how scientists investigate environmental and geological processes. Field demonstrations and lab sessions expose students to methods used in environmental geochemistry, mineralogy, and Earth systems research.
12. Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute
Location: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
Cost: $4,300
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: July 12 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (including graduating seniors)
ESSYI is a college-level environmental studies program that introduces high school students to environmental issues through an interdisciplinary academic framework. Over two weeks, you examine environmental challenges from scientific, political, ethical, economic, and social perspectives while participating in collaborative discussions and group projects. The curriculum is organized around themes such as research, sustainability, complexity, and environmental problem-solving, emphasizing how different disciplines contribute to understanding ecological issues. The program also includes a larger group project where you apply interdisciplinary approaches to developing sustainable solutions.
13. Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities (LINC) Summer High School Programs
Location: Golden Gate National Parks, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: SEJI: $1,500; SOL: $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: SEJI: 12 students; SOL: 24 students
Dates: SEJI: 3 weeks; SOL: 6 weeks
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students living in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano, or Sonoma counties
LINC offers outdoor-focused environmental leadership programs where high school students explore climate science, environmental justice, and community-based ecological work through field experiences and collaborative projects. The Science & Environmental Justice Intensive (SEJI) emphasizes hands-on community science activities such as air quality monitoring, habitat restoration, wildlife observation, and climate impact measurement. In contrast, the Summer of Outdoor Leadership (SOL) combines environmental education with extended outdoor activities, including camping, kayaking, and service-learning experiences. Across both programs, you spend most of your time outdoors participating in physically active fieldwork and environmental stewardship projects.
14. Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Location: Virtual
Stipend: Cash awards up to $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open submission
Dates: None
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Students ages 11-18
The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest invites high school students to explore ocean conservation, climate science, and environmental awareness through creative and interdisciplinary projects. The contest encourages participants to communicate environmental themes using media such as film, poetry, visual art, music, multimedia, and creative writing. The annual theme asks students to examine the ocean’s role in areas like climate regulation, biodiversity, food systems, and cultural inspiration while connecting those ideas to personal or community experiences. The program also provides educational resources focused on climate change, marine ecosystems, and environmental storytelling to support project development.
15. Yale Young Global Scholars’ Solving Global Challenges (SGC)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 3; Session II: July 5 – July 17; Session III: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 7
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are 16-18 years old
Yale Young Global Scholars’ Solving Global Challenges session examines major global issues like climate change, sustainability, inequality, and public health through an interdisciplinary academic approach. You participate in lectures, seminars, and discussions that connect environmental science with economics, engineering, policy, ethics, and social systems. Rather than focusing solely on scientific research, the program emphasizes systems thinking and cross-disciplinary problem-solving strategies tied to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Throughout the program, you analyze case studies, participate in collaborative discussions, and develop frameworks for evaluating complex global problems.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are climate science programs for high school students? Climate science programs for high school students are structured experiences that introduce you to real environmental research methods, data analysis, and scientific fieldwork. Topics typically include climate modeling, ecosystem monitoring, water quality analysis, sustainability, and environmental policy. Most programs go significantly beyond what a standard high school environmental science class covers.
Do I need prior science experience to apply? Most programs on this list welcome students without a specialized background in climate or environmental science. Programs like WYSE, NSLC, and Columbia Climate School are accessible to students with general science coursework. More research-intensive placements, like UC Davis Young Scholars and Stanford Young Investigators, expect stronger academic preparation and prior science coursework.
Are there paid climate science programs for high school students? Yes. The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program provides a $3,000 stipend, LINC’s SOL program offers $2,400, LINC’s SEJI program provides $1,500, and RISE Shore Corps pays $1,000. Stanford Young Investigators and Rice University’s program are free with no stipend. The Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest awards cash prizes up to $1,000.
Are there climate science programs outside of the summer? Most programs run during the summer, but a few offer greater flexibility. Stanford Young Investigators timelines vary by research group, and the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest accepts submissions on a rolling basis with a June deadline. The Hutton program runs across an eight-week window in June through August, with exact dates set between you and your mentor.
What types of fieldwork do these programs include? Fieldwork varies widely by program. You might conduct water quality testing and tree coring at Columbia Climate School, fish population surveys and aquatic habitat restoration through Hutton, air quality monitoring and wildlife observation through LINC, or kayaking and coastal stewardship work through RISE Shore Corps. UC Davis and Stanford programs involve more laboratory and data-focused research.
When should I apply to climate science programs? Several programs, including Yale Young Global Scholars and SSP, close applications in January. Stanford Young Investigators, UC Davis, and LINC close around March 15. Many others, including Columbia Climate School and WYSE, accept applications on a rolling basis, so applying early gives you the best chance. Reviewing program requirements in the fall and preparing application materials over winter break is a practical approach.
Image source: UC Davis