Climate change, conservation, and resource management are becoming central topics across many fields. If you want to start engaging with these areas in high school, environmental science programs for high school students are a smart way to begin!
Environmental science programs for high school students focus on skills like analyzing environmental data, understanding ecosystems, and working with real-world case studies. You might take part in fieldwork, lab-based activities, or guided projects that explore issues like water systems or biodiversity. These programs help you understand how environmental problems are studied and addressed.
Why should you choose a program in Maryland?
Maryland is closely connected to environmental research through its coastal systems and academic institutions. Many programs are designed around these natural settings, whallowlows for direct field exposure and applied learning.
Choosing environmental science programs for high school students in Maryland can also make things easier logistically if you are nearby. You avoid extra costs and still access structured programs with strong academic value. These experiences can also support your college applications and add to your resume.
With that, here are 15 environmental science programs for high school students in Maryland! You can also consider these environmental science summer programs or these sustainability programs.
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: The program will connect you with an internship within a 45-minute commute from your residence
Stipend: $3,000
Program dates: Eight weeks from June to August, exact dates vary with each internship
Application deadline: January 25
Eligibility: Rising seniors and college freshmen who are at least 16 years of age and have residency in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, or the Pacific Islands
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program offers high school students an 8-week summer internship in the field of fisheries and aquatic science. This is a full-time, paid opportunity during which you will conduct hands-on research in fisheries science under the guidance of a professional. Previous students have engaged in activities like mussel surveys, electrofishing, data processing, water quality testing, eDNA sampling, and establishing fish habitat. The program also includes the submission of biweekly timesheets, a midsummer report, and a final report.
2. Johns Hopkins University’s Sustainable Energy Engineering
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, or Hood College, Frederick, MD (virtual options and other locations across the country are also available)
Cost: Ranges from $4,230 – $10,190 depending on the location and format. More details here
Program dates: June 29 – July 24 for the commuter and residential programs, June 29 – July 31 for the virtual program
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current high school students and recent graduates who meet the academic requirements (priority is given to older students). Students must be between the ages of 15 and 17 for the residential track.
Johns Hopkins University’s Sustainable Energy Engineering is a summer program for high school students that dives into sustainable energy innovation, such as solar, wind, smart grids, and storage technologies. You can expect plenty of hands-on activities like studying a hydropower case study, measuring the efficiency of a laboratory-scale wind turbine, and designing a space that will be completely powered by clean energy. In the process, you will explore topics like the science behind energy systems, the social and political issues involved in energy use, and the production and distribution processes. You will also earn three college credits!
3. University of Maryland’s Terp Young Scholars
Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD (an online option is also available)
Cost: $1,791 for the commuter program, $1,420 for the online program
Program dates: July 13 – 31
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders as well as graduating students
University of Maryland’s Terp Young Scholars is a pre-college program that allows high school students to Geta. Head start on college by taking on an advanced class and earn three college credits in the process. You can expect a rigorous academic setting involving theory lessons, project work, exams, and the opportunity to interact with peers and undergraduate students. There are several courses within the field of environmental science and sustainability, including topics like the use of AI in addressing environmental challenges, the role of space technology in sustainability, building sustainable cities, climate science education, and the connection between the environment and human health.
4. Department of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: There are 38 labs available across the country
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants, $4,500 for returning participants
Program dates: Eight weeks during the summer, the exact dates vary with each lab
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are US citizens, at least 16 years of age, and have at least completed grade 9 (individual labs may have further eligibility criteria)
Offered by the Department of the Navy, the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a prestigious opportunity for high school students to take part in real Naval research. During this 8-week program, you will work 40 hours per week at one of the US Navy’s laboratories and engage in STEM research under the guidance of a scientist/engineer mentor. Each lab offers several different research areas, and environmental science is one of the available options. The labs may include hands-on activities within the field of oceanography, undersea medicine, infectious diseases, biodefense, and more. You can go through the full list here.
5. Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE Program
Location: Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Cost: None
Program dates: June 23 – August 21
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are US citizens, at least 15 years of age, and have a minimum 2.8 GPA
Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE allows high school students to explore a STEM area through advanced coursework and a hands-on, professional environment. During the program, you will be paired with a mentor and work on STEM projects under their guidance. One of the available placement areas is Environmental, Earth and Life Sciences, diving into topics like coral reef protection, marine biodiversity, and even planetary geology. The curriculum includes activities like encapsulating coral reefs with an innovative adhesive, investigating the use of eDNA, and mapping the minerals of Mars. You can also choose from different types of projects, such as environmental lab work, research and development, or social impact projects.
6. University of Maryland’s High School Internship Program
Location: Online
Stipend: $900
Program dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students from the DMV region who are legally allowed to work in the US
The University of Maryland’s Department of Geographical Science offers this internship to encourage high school students to take an interest in the field. This is a paid opportunity during which you will be paired with a mentor and tasked with working on a research project. You will learn how to use GIS, AI, and remote sensing tools to conduct research into topics like marine biodiversity risks, agricultural land use, solar farm development, and tree mortality detection. The program ends with a poster presentation of your research, after which select students will be allowed to continue the internship through the academic year. You can go through previous projects here.
7. Student Conservation Association’s Individual Placement
Location: Charles County, MD
Stipend: $18/hr
Program dates: Every Saturday from May 30 to June 27
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 years of age or older and able to perform physical labour for up to 8 hours a day
The Student Conservation Association gives young students the opportunity to make a real impact on the environment while gaining skills in the field. This particular placement takes place in Charles County and involves caring for native trees and supporting park maintenance projects. Through the placement, you will learn about tree care, trail work, habitat restoration, and green infrastructure. While this will be heavy on physical labour, you will also attend equational events, career development sessions, and networking opportunities with professionals from the field. In case this position has expired by the time you read this, you can look for similar opportunities here.
8. Maryland Envirothon
Location: Varies, depending on the county you reside in. You might need to get in touch with the local soil conservation district to find out more.
Cost: Free
Program dates: Year-long program
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: All high school students
The Maryland Envirothon is a competition for high school students to learn and test themselves in the field of environmental science. You will join the program in teams of 5 and, over the course of the school year, study Maryland’s natural resources in the following buckets: aquatics, forestry, soil, wildlife, and a 5th area that changes each year. During this part of the program, you will explore various ecosystems and engage in activities like determining a tree’s age and conducting soil mapping. This is followed by the county Envirothon in the spring and the Maryland Envirothon in June, where you will be tested in all 5 areas and expected to provide an oral presentation.
9. University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Advancing STEM in Agriculture
Location: University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Stipend: $1,000
Program dates: October to the following July
Application deadline: September 15
Eligibility: Students who are eligible for employment in the US, have completed at least one science course with a grade above C, and have at least a year of high school after the completion of the camp
The Advancing STEM in Agriculture (ASTEMA) is a paid internship opportunity for high school students who want to explore a career in agriculture. The program consists of a year-long online component, with two Zoom meetings per month, and a three-week travel camp during the summer. The virtual meetings will cover topics like agriculture, genomics, biotechnology, phytochemistry, and the use of technology in agriculture. The camp will have field trips to agricultural facilities, wet lab experiments, and workshops on soil analysis, drone use in agriculture, 3D printing, and more. The program ends with a final report and presentation.
10. Washington College’s Environmental Science Conference
Location: Washington College, Chestertown, MD
Cost: $650. Financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 28 – July 2, Session 2 from July 13 – 17
Application deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Rising students in grades 10 – 12 who reside in DC, DE, MD, PA, or VA
Washington College’s Summer Conferences are summer pre-college programs that allow high school students to get an in-depth understanding of a specific subject. One of these is the Environmental Science Conference, a five-day residential program that explores ecosystems near Maryland’s Chester River and methods to restore them. You will camp in tents for part of the program and engage in hands-on investigation to collect data and study it in labs. You will also go kayaking, go on board a research vessel, and explore the Washington College River and Field Campus. By the end of the program, you will also receive one transferable college credit.
11. University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Future Builders Program
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
Cost: $374
Program dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Incoming 9th – 12th grade students
Future Builders: Creating A Sustainable World is one of the University of Maryland’s summer programs, which allows high school students to explore environmental and sustainability challenges. During the program, you will learn about ecosystems, energy, water, waste, and climate systems. You will also dive into various challenges, brainstorm solutions, and witness how sustainable solutions have been implemented on the college campus. The program is structured through a combination of interactive lessons, outdoor activities, and team-based projects.
12. Johns Hopkins University’s Global Leadership for a Sustainable Future
Location: Online
Cost: $85 application fee, $1,950 program fee. Financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 22 – July 3, Session 2 from July 6 – 17, Session 3 from July 20 – 31
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who have at least completed 9th grade and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
A part of Johns Hopkins University’s pre-college offerings, Global Leadership for a Sustainable Future is a 2-week, self-paced course that brings leadership training and sustainability studies together. This is a project-based program through which you will study sustainability challenges, design actionable solutions, gauge environmental impact, and communicate those solutions through presentations. You will hone your leadership skills by using an intercultural lens to approach environmental challenges. In addition to lectures and projects, you can also expect assignments, office hours, and group discussions. Another similar course is Green Chemistry: The Science of Sustainability.
13. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: None
Program dates: 2-8 weeks during the summer for half-time interns. 1-9 months for quarter-time interns, which run year-round
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have at least one honors science or English class and a minimum 3.25 GPA
EnergyMag’s virtual internships allow high school students to explore renewable energy while also honing their research skills. As an intern, you will be tasked with conducting research about either a company, technology, or market, and then analyzing the data you collect. Under the guidance of a mentor, you will synthesize the information you gather into a written report, which will be published on the website. This is a flexible program that allows you to choose between half-time or quarter-time internships.
14. Stanford Pre-College Summer Institute in Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Location: Online
Cost: $3,200
Program dates: Session 6 – 17
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 who have completed an algebra course
Stanford University’s Pre-College Summer Institutes give high school students the chance to attend advanced courses that explore a specific topic in depth. One of the available options is the Chemical and Environmental Engineering course, which introduces students to the chemistry and engineering behind major industrial processes, such as steel, ammonia, cement, and transportation fuels. You will study the materials and energy exchange in the processes, examine the environmental impact, evaluate decarbonization strategies, and explore how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You can expect a combination of live interactive classes and simulations, and asynchronous assignments and projects.
15. Washington University’s Introduction to Environmental Science
Location: Online
Cost: $985. Need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: June 15 – July 10
Application deadline: May 11
Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years of age, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and have completed at least two years of high school science, including biology
This online summer course introduces high school students to the basics of environmental science, touching upon fields like biology, geography, sociology, economics, natural resource management, chemistry, and geology as well. You will dive into topics like human population growth, energy resources, land and food resources, water resources, air pollution, global climate change, and human health, under the larger umbrella of sustainability as a whole. The program is largely asynchronous, using a combination of recorded lectures, assignments, videos, and optional synchronous office hours.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like environmental science, 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: University of Maryland