Environmental science is one of those fields that makes more sense when you see it in action. For high school students who care about ecosystems, climate, conservation, or sustainability, internships offer a way to move beyond classroom lessons and into real work settings.
Environmental science internships often involve tasks like data collection, field observation, basic research support, or assisting with environmental projects. Through this work, you begin to see how science, policy, and community needs connect. It helps you understand what environmental work actually looks like day to day.
Why should you choose an internship?
Internships differ from classes or short programs because you are part of a working team. You may assist researchers, field staff, or project coordinators with tasks that contribute to real outcomes. Even when the work is basic, it shows you how environmental studies translate into daily responsibilities.
These internships are useful for students who want to test whether environmental science is a path they want to pursue further. They also give you experiences you can speak about clearly in college applications and interviews.
With that in mind, here are 15 environmental science internships for high school students! If you’re also exploring academic programs alongside work-based roles, you may want to read our guide on environmental science programs for high school students.
15 Environmental Science Internships for High School Students
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: American Fisheries Society partner sites, various cities, USA
Cost: Stipend of $3,000
Dates: Start and end dates are flexible and determined by the selected student and their mentor
Application Deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Open to students who will be rising high school seniors and rising college freshmen at the time of the summer internship.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program places you with a working fisheries scientist for a full summer internship. You spend eight weeks working full-time on field and lab tasks connected to real fisheries research. Daily work may include sampling fish populations, measuring habitats, monitoring water conditions, and recording biological data. You follow established research protocols and learn how scientists organize and manage long-term environmental studies. The program focuses on applied work rather than classroom lessons, so most learning happens through observation and participation.
2. EPA Student Internship Program (High School Level)
Location: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offices, various cities, USA
Cost: None
Dates: Summer (duration varies by placement)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. high school and meeting federal employment requirements
The EPA Student Internship Program offers paid internships for high school students across EPA offices in the United States. You work alongside EPA staff on projects related to environmental monitoring, data collection, pollution control, and public health initiatives. Tasks vary by office but may include organizing environmental data, assisting with reports, supporting lab or field activities, and learning how federal agencies manage environmental information. The internship operates as a professional workplace experience, with regular hours and defined responsibilities. You gain exposure to how science supports environmental policy and regulation.
3. Project TRUE (Teens Researching Urban Ecology) — Wildlife Conservation Society / Bronx Zoo
Location: Wildlife Conservation Society — Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY, USA
Cost: None. Summer stipend or hourly wage (dependent on eligibility through the SYEP program)
Dates: Late June–August
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in good academic standing who reside in the Bronx
Project TRUE is a summer research internship run by the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo. You work in small groups with undergraduate mentors and professional educators to study wildlife and ecosystems in New York City. Fieldwork takes place in parks and urban natural areas, where you collect data on animals, plants, and environmental conditions. You also spend time learning how to organize, analyze, and interpret the data you collect. The program includes regular discussions about research design and how to communicate findings. By the end of the internship, you will present your work to both scientific and public audiences.
4. Alaska Songbird Institute – High School Internships
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Cost: None. A stipend of $500 is paid
Dates: May 12- July 18
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–18
The Alaska Songbird Institute offers a summer internship focused on bird ecology and conservation. You work directly with biologists on field research related to songbirds and their habitats. Activities include observing bird behavior, conducting nest surveys, identifying species, and recording ecological data. You are trained in proper field methods and data recording techniques used in ongoing research projects. Mentors explain how observations are turned into usable scientific information.
5. Student Urban Nature (SUN) High School Internship — Natural Areas Conservancy
Location: Natural Areas Conservancy — Forest Park (Queens) & The Greenbelt (Staten Island), NY, USA
Cost: None. A stipend is paid (hourly wage)
Dates: 6‑week summer internship (July–August) with a professional development portion earlier in the year
Application Deadline: January 14
Eligibility: High school students who will be rising juniors or seniors; must live or attend school near internship sites
The Student Urban Nature internship places you in New York City parks and natural areas to study urban ecosystems. You learn how to identify plant and animal species and how to measure environmental conditions in forests and wetlands. With guidance from professional scientists, you design a small research project based on data you collect during fieldwork. The program also includes sessions on writing, presentations, and workplace skills. You present your findings in a public setting at the end of the internship. The experience combines ecological research with professional development over the course of the summer.
6. Fire Ecology High School Internship — Crystal Cove Conservancy & Partners
Location: Crystal Cove Conservancy, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, & California State Parks — Orange County, CA, USA
Cost: None
Dates: October 22 – May 30 (Saturday fieldwork + weekly virtual meetings)
Application Deadline: September 14
Eligibility: High school students (typically grades 9–12; local requirements may vary)
The Fire Ecology Internship runs during the academic year and focuses on how fire affects ecosystems in Southern California. You take part in field days at state parks where you collect data on vegetation, soil, and habitat conditions. Weekly virtual meetings are used to discuss research methods, fire science concepts, and project planning. You work with conservation scientists, land managers, and researchers who explain how fire is studied and managed. The program requires consistent participation over several months.
7. Environmentor Internship – Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE)
Location: Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) — Far Rockaway, NY, USA
Cost: None. Stipend of $1,200
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: Unavailable
Eligibility: High school students (typically grades 9–11; must live/attend school in Rockaway or adjacent NYC neighborhoods)
The Environmentor Internship combines year-long learning with a summer research project. During the school year, you attend after-school sessions where you learn ecology basics and field research methods related to coastal environments. In the summer, you apply those skills by conducting research in local ecosystems such as Jamaica Bay. You collect environmental data, assess habitats, and analyze results under professional supervision. The program includes writing and presenting your findings to community members.
8. Westmoreland Sanctuary High School Internship – Westmoreland Sanctuary
Location: Westmoreland Sanctuary — Mount Kisco, NY, USA
Cost: None
Dates: 4–6 weeks during the school year (specific dates vary)
Application Deadline: Unavailable
Eligibility: High school seniors (current)
Westmoreland Sanctuary offers a school-year internship for high school seniors at its nature preserve in New York. You assist staff with ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, and wildlife observation. Fieldwork includes surveying invasive species, tracking seasonal changes, and documenting ecological conditions. You will also help with environmental education programs, explaining concepts to visiting students and groups. The internship balances outdoor field tasks with communication and documentation. Mentorship focuses on applied conservation work and daily environmental management.
9. Environmental Science Internship — Urban Ecology Center (Milwaukee, WI)
Location: Urban Ecology Center — Milwaukee, WI, USA
Cost: Unavailable
Dates: Summer and school-year internships
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students, grades 9–12 (urbanecologycenter.org)
The Urban Ecology Center internship involves applied environmental research in urban settings. You work in parks and natural areas conducting habitat surveys, water testing, and biodiversity monitoring. Mentors teach you how to collect, record, and interpret scientific data. The program also includes outreach work, where you help share environmental information with community members. You will balance field research with education and communication tasks. The experience builds familiarity with urban ecology and conservation work.
10. Appalachian Headwaters High School Summer Internship
Location: Appalachian Headwaters, Lewisburg, WV, USA
Cost: None. Stipend of up to $4,000
Dates: 9 weeks, June 9 – August 15
Application Deadline: Unavailable
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who want real-world experience in environmental science and outdoor careers
Appalachian Headwaters runs a nine-week summer internship based at its field station in West Virginia. You spend most days outdoors working with ecologists and restoration staff on land management projects. Early in the program, you receive hands-on training in field safety, plant identification, and basic research methods. After that, you take part in native plant restoration, invasive species removal, pollinator monitoring, and ecological data collection. As the summer progresses, you assist with habitat management and help support environmental education programs, including youth day camps.
11. Pittsburgh Parks Young Naturalists Program
Location: Frick Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: None. Stipend of $1,200 plus a bus pass and outdoor gear package
Dates: 5 weeks, June 30 – August 1 (with orientation June 24 and overnight retreat July 1–3)
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students from 9th grade through graduating seniors attending Pittsburgh-area schools who are interested in pursuing careers in environmental science, ecology, or STEM fields
The Young Naturalists Program is a five-week paid summer internship run by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. You work four days a week in Frick Park alongside park staff, scientists, and naturalists. Daily work includes trail repair, invasive plant management, erosion control, and care of forest ecosystems. Each year also includes rotating science topics such as insects, fungi, plants, birds, or aquatic systems. Alongside fieldwork, you build workplace skills such as collaboration, time management, and problem-solving. The program provides a stipend, transportation support, and outdoor gear.
12. Chicago Botanic Garden College First
Location: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
Cost: None. Paid internship with bus transportation provided from designated stops
Dates: June 24 – August 9 (plus unpaid orientation and monthly school-year meetings)
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Current sophomore or junior in a Chicago public school with a strong interest in science and nature
College First is a paid summer internship at the Chicago Botanic Garden for Chicago Public Schools students. During the summer, you work weekday afternoons assisting with plant science research, habitat restoration, environmental monitoring, and education programs. Tasks may include collecting field data, supporting research staff, learning basic lab techniques, and working with visitors. The program continues during the school year with monthly meetings focused on college preparation and career exploration. Interns also take part in college campus visits.
13. Clifton Institute Young Scientists Research Experience
Location: Clifton Institute, Northern Virginia Piedmont, Clifton, VA, USA
Cost: $350 per week
Dates: 1 week during summer (multiple session dates available)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (apply for each session)
Eligibility: Middle and high school students, ages 13–18, with an interest in environmental and natural sciences and a desire to conduct field-based ecological research
The Young Scientists Research Experience at the Clifton Institute is a one-week field research program. You live at a field station in northern Virginia and work closely with a mentor to design and carry out a small ecological research project. The week is spent collecting data, identifying species, analyzing results, and preparing a final presentation. Research topics are shaped by the local environment and student interests. The program ends with a presentation to staff and peers. The experience gives you a clear view of how ecological research works outside the classroom.
14. NASA / UT Austin SEES Internship (STEM Enhancement in Earth Science)
Location: University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research (Austin, TX) & Virtual options
Cost: None. Housing/travel scholarships available for onsite selection.
Dates: June – July (Virtual coursework + Onsite/Virtual research)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (grades 10–11) who are U.S. citizens
The SEES internship is a nationally competitive program hosted by NASA and UT Austin. You work directly with NASA scientists and researchers to analyze satellite data related to Earth’s climate, atmosphere, and ecosystems. Projects often include studying mosquito habitats, tracking land use changes, or monitoring water quality from space. The program begins with distance learning modules in the spring, followed by an intense summer research component. It concludes with a science symposium where interns present their findings.
15. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (Remote & Hybrid options available)
Cost: $50 application fee (Financial aid available); otherwise free
Dates: 8 weeks, June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students (15+ for computer labs, 16+ for wet labs)
George Mason University’s ASSIP pairs high school students with faculty mentors for one-on-one research. While the program covers many STEM fields, it has strong tracks in environmental science, ecology, and sustainability. You might find yourself working in a “wet lab” analyzing water samples or in the field studying local biodiversity. The program requires a full-time commitment for eight weeks and focuses on professional skills, including using scientific equipment, scientific writing, and presenting at a final research symposium.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like climate science, environmental data analysis, sustainability policy, conservation biology, and environmental 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!
Image Source – George Mason University