Environmental science is a field that connects directly to real-world issues like climate change and conservation. If you want to understand how these problems are studied and addressed, starting in high school can make a difference.
Environmental science programs allow you to work with data, study ecosystems, and understand how environmental decisions are made. You might take part in fieldwork, research tasks, or guided projects that reflect real-world challenges.
Why should you choose a program in Georgia?
Georgia offers access to universities, research centers, and diverse ecosystems that support environmental learning. This makes it easier to study different environmental issues within one region. These programs also help you build practical experience and strengthen your college applications. You gain exposure to how the field works while developing skills that carry forward.
With that, here are 15 environmental science programs for high school students in Georgia! If you are looking for online options, you can check out our blog on online environmental science programs for high school students here.
15 Environmental Science Programs for High School Students in Georgia
1. UGA CAES Young Scholars Internship Program
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, Griffin, or Tifton
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 1 – July 7: Internship Program | July 8 – 10: Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: High school students who have completed sophomore year, are first-time participants, will be at least 16 by the start of the program, have completed at least one high school science course with a lab, and one semester of algebra
The UGA CAES Young Scholars Internship places you inside an active research lab where you work directly with a faculty mentor on a project related to agriculture, food systems, or environmental science. Your day-to-day work depends on your placement, but it can include running lab procedures, collecting and organizing data, reviewing scientific literature, or carrying out field observations. Alongside your project, you attend workshops and site visits that show how research connects to real industries and public challenges. As your work develops, you begin to understand how research questions are shaped and refined over time. The program ends with a formal poster presentation at the Young Scholars Research Conference, where you explain your work and findings.
2. UGA Summer Academy – Natural Resources Leadership Academy
Location: University of Georgia Tifton Campus, Tifton
Cost: $575
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Opens December 1
Eligibility: Students ages 13–17
The Natural Resources Leadership Academy introduces you to environmental stewardship through a hands-on exploration of how land, water, forests, and wildlife are managed. Over the course of the program, you engage with practical topics such as forest measurement, fire ecology, wildlife management, and aquatic system health. The learning is built around field-based exercises, so you are not simply hearing about conservation methods but seeing how they are applied. You also benefit from exposure to multiple organizations and educators, which broadens the experience beyond a single instructor or subject area.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities throughout the U.S., including in Atlanta, GA (placements available within a 45-minute distance from your home)
Stipend: $3,000
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; dates are flexible
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors who are at least 16 years old and live in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program gives you the chance to explore aquatic science through a paid summer placement with a fisheries or aquatic science professional. Students are matched individually with mentors, so the work can look different from one placement to another, which makes each internship more tailored and grounded in ongoing projects. You may spend time in the field surveying fish populations, testing water quality, examining habitats, or helping process biological samples in freshwater or marine settings. Some placements also include lab work, office-based analysis, or educational outreach, depending on the mentor’s role and organization. The reporting and reflection components built into the summer also encourage you to think carefully about what you observed, learned, and contributed during the experience.
4. UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant – Aquarium Apprentices
Location: UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium, Georgia
Cost: $480 per camper
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 14–15
Aquarium Apprentices introduces you to marine science from the perspective of a working aquarium, blending environmental education with behind-the-scenes operational experience. Throughout the week, you take part in lab, field, and boat-based activities while learning how marine organisms are collected, identified, and cared for. The program also covers aquarium husbandry, so you gain insight into the daily work involved in feeding animals, maintaining tanks, and monitoring water quality. By the end of the experience, you have a better sense of how scientific knowledge is used in aquariums to support conservation and public learning.
5. Savannah State University – Coast Camp
Location: Savannah State University Marine Biology Building, Savannah
Cost: Free
Dates: June 1–26
Application Deadline: Opens March 14
Eligibility: Students ages 7–18; For high schoolers, the relevant cohort is ages 14–18
Coast Camp at Savannah State University runs over several weeks, where you study marine science through a mix of classroom sessions and fieldwork. You work on topics like beach ecology, erosion, and coastal habitats while connecting them to broader ideas in sustainability. The program integrates science with math and writing, which means you are not just observing but also analyzing and explaining what you find. Field experiences play a major role, giving you direct exposure to coastal systems. The involvement of university faculty and students adds an academic layer to the experience.
6. Georgia Aquarium – Beginner Environmental Leadership Program
Location: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
Cost: $45 administrative fee
Dates: Spring: January – April | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: March 27 (summer)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–17
The Beginner Environmental Leadership Program is designed for teens who want to build environmental knowledge while also developing communication and leadership skills in a public-facing setting. You will begin by learning how to engage aquarium visitors through roles centered on interpretation, guest interaction, and educational support. As the program progresses, you use those experiences to strengthen your understanding of how conservation messages are communicated to the public. You also contribute to a collaborative community project, which adds a service-oriented component beyond the aquarium itself. In the summer cycle, participants spend time assisting with Camp H2O, giving them additional exposure to youth education in a marine science environment.
7. Atlanta Botanical Garden – Summer High School Internship
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta
Stipend: $12/hour
Dates: June 2 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are 16 or older by June 2, attend a Metro Atlanta Title I high school, are eligible to work in the U.S., and can meet the physical requirements of the role.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden internship places you in a working conservation and horticulture environment where you rotate across different departments. You might spend time in greenhouses, labs, or outdoor garden spaces, depending on your schedule. The work includes hands-on tasks as well as observation, which helps you understand how plant science and conservation are applied in practice. You also take part in college and career readiness sessions that run alongside your internship. Throughout the program, you document your experience through journaling and develop a final project that reflects your work.
8. Atlanta Botanical Garden – SPEAK Volunteers
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta
Cost: None
Dates: June 2 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be age 16 or older by June 2
SPEAK, short for Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Knowledge, focuses on environmental communication, where you work directly with visitors in a garden setting. You learn about topics like sustainable gardening, native plants, and wildlife, then explain these ideas through short, interactive conversations. The role requires you to understand the content well enough to adapt it depending on who you are speaking to. Instead of formal presentations, most of your work happens through informal, one-on-one interactions. Over time, you begin to see how environmental knowledge is translated into everyday practices.
9. Student Conservation Association – Atlanta Urban Green Program
Location: Atlanta
Stipend: $13/hour
Dates: Summer and school-year opportunities available
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
The Atlanta Urban Green Program places you in community-based conservation projects where you work on real environmental tasks across the city. You might take part in trail construction, habitat restoration, park maintenance, or resource management, depending on the site. The work is hands-on and often outdoors, which makes each day slightly different. Alongside project work, you receive training in environmental practices, safety, and workplace skills. The program also includes career development sessions, which connect your work to future opportunities in environmental fields.
10. 21st Century Leaders – EarthCare
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville
Cost: None
Dates: June 7 – 12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Georgia
EarthCare runs as a residential program where you study environmental topics alongside leadership development. You spend your time working through sessions on sustainability, clean energy, and environmental problem-solving, while also building communication and teamwork skills. The program includes site visits and interactions with professionals, which help you understand how these topics are handled in real settings. Living on campus adds structure to the experience, especially when working in groups throughout the week. The focus stays on both understanding issues and learning how to respond to them as part of a team.
11. Georgia 4-H – Senior Natural Resources Exploration Camp
Location: Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Eatonton
Cost: $440
Dates: July 6–10
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students
The Senior Natural Resources Exploration Camp introduces you to different areas of environmental science through field-based activities led by university faculty and experts. You study topics like wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and water systems by working directly in natural environments. Activities may include animal tracking, electrofishing, and herpetology, which give you a closer look at how data is collected in the field. The structure allows you to explore multiple areas within a short time. You also work alongside other students, which adds a collaborative aspect to the experience.
12. AgriQuest Youth Summer Camp
Location: University of Georgia, Athens
Cost: $300; Full scholarships available
Dates: June 6 – 12
Application Deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders
AgriQuest is a residential summer program that introduces students to agriculture and environmental science through a mix of workshops, labs, lectures, and experiential activities. The program is designed for students who want to understand how sustainability, food systems, and environmental challenges intersect in real-world settings. Over the course of the week, you explore scientific concepts while also learning about the wide range of careers connected to agriculture and environmental fields. Field trips and hands-on activities help keep the program grounded in applied learning rather than classroom discussion alone. The program is designed to introduce environmental topics through the lens of systems that shape daily life, including food production and sustainability.
13. Georgia Aquarium – Camp H2O
Location: Georgia
Cost: Member: $344.99 | Non-Member: $380.99
Dates: June 29–July 2
Application Deadline: Opens February 2 (registration-based)
Eligibility: Students ages 14–16, based on age as of January 1
Camp H2O focuses on marine science and aquatic ecosystems through a mix of activities, lab work, and exploration of aquarium exhibits. You spend time learning about different species and how they interact with their environments. The program also introduces you to careers in areas like marine biology, conservation, and animal care. Alongside scientific content, you take part in creative and hands-on tasks that help reinforce what you learn. You also get a closer look at how a large aquarium operates beyond public exhibits.
14. UGA Summer Academy – Environmental Science
Location: University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens
Cost: $530
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 11–14
UGA’s Environmental Science program introduces you to topics like ecology, conservation, and sustainability through hands-on work. You learn field methods such as water-quality testing, stream sampling, and species identification, which are used by environmental scientists. The program also includes sessions on horticulture, plant biology, and environmental art, which adds variety to the experience. Activities like gardening and harvesting connect the work to everyday applications. The structure keeps moving between observation, testing, and discussion.
15. Zoo Atlanta – Volunteen Program
Location: Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta
Cost: $30 orientation fee
Dates: Year-round program
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–17
The Volunteen Program at Zoo Atlanta runs throughout the year, where you work on conservation education and public engagement. You learn about animal care, species conservation, and how zoos contribute to research and awareness. Your role involves interacting with visitors, sharing information, and supporting educational activities. Over time, you develop communication skills while also understanding how conservation is presented to the public. The program connects your work to the broader role of zoos in environmental protection.
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!
Image source: Zoo Atlanta