If you are a high school student in with an interest in marine biology, a program in the field is worth considering. Marine biology programs give you the chance to move beyond classroom learning and explore concepts like ocean ecosystems, conservation, and field research techniques in absolute detail through activities, advanced instruction, and ocean adventures!
If you’re based in California, you’re in luck!
California is home to a wide range of institutions, universities, aquariums, and research centers that host specialized marine biology programs for high schoolers each year. By choosing a local program, you not only gain access to hands-on learning and expert mentorship but also make a cost-effective choice if you live in the state. These opportunities can help you build advanced skills in scientific research, data collection, and environmental analysis while experiencing what it’s like to work in marine biology.
To help you with your search, here are 14 marine biology programs for high school students in California:
1. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
2. Veritas AI: AI Scholars & AI Fellowship programs
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students (advanced middle school students can also apply); to apply to the AI Scholars program, you must demonstrate an interest in artificial intelligence. For the AI Fellowship program, you need to have been an AI Scholar participant or have some experience working with AI or Python.
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Program dates: Multiple sessions, including in summer, running from 10 to 15 weeks, based on the program you choose
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available for certain programs
Veritas AI offers multiple learning opportunities focused on artificial intelligence exploration. These programs have been developed and executed by Harvard graduate students and alumni. If applying to the beginner-friendly AI Scholars program, you will work with Ph.D. students from leading institutions and learn about the applications of AI. Here, you will also learn how to work with Python and explore key machine learning, AI, and data science concepts. You can also consider the AI Fellowship program, which offers mentorship to help you develop your own project. In the past, program participants have worked on interdisciplinary AI projects that utilize concepts from medicine, sports, finance, environmental science, and mental health. You can check out past projects here.
3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Opportunities available throughout the U.S., with placement available within 45 minutes of your home
Eligibility: High school students age 16+ who are residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, or Mexico
Application deadline: January 19
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Stipend: $3,000 + an all-expenses-paid trip to the Hutton Scholars Summit at the University of Arkansas
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is an eight-week paid internship run by the American Fisheries Society. You will be matched with a fisheries scientist in your area who will guide you through hands-on projects in both the field and lab. Typical work may involve sampling fish populations, using techniques like electrofishing, cataloging specimens, analyzing data, or building and restoring aquatic habitats. You may also take part in conservation education activities with local communities. The program highlights research and management practices in fisheries science while giving you a clear view of related career paths. At the end of the summer, you will attend a summit to share your experiences.
4. Marine Teens Internship @ the Natural History Museum
Location: Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, California
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors from the Boyle Heights neighborhood in Los Angeles
Application deadline: March 10
Program dates: April 12 – May 31 (unpaid training) + June 17 – July 25 (24 hours/week, except for the final week, which will consist of 40 paid hours)
Stipend: Paid
The Marine Teens Internship selects 10 students each year for a hands-on experience in marine science at the Natural History Museum. Your spring training will introduce you to museum collections and research practices, while the summer internship focuses on carrying out a marine science project. Throughout the program, you will receive guidance from museum staff and guest experts, and you will participate in field trips that extend learning beyond the lab. The internship emphasizes conservation and public engagement, giving you the chance to practice science communication and outreach. At the end of the summer, you will present your project and share your findings with peers and mentors.
5. UC Santa Barbara’s REEF College Prep Internship
Location: Research Experience & Education Facility (REEF) at UCSB, Campus Point Beach, Isla Vista, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12 living and studying in Southern California
Application deadline: No fixed deadline; email [email protected] for details
Program dates: Not specified; you can email [email protected] for details
Stipend: No info available
The REEF College Prep Internship offers high schoolers hands-on experience in marine biology and aquarium operations at UC Santa Barbara’s teaching aquarium. You will collaborate with REEF staff and fellow interns while receiving mentorship from marine biologists and faculty. The internship emphasizes both marine science and science communication, offering you opportunities to learn how to share research with the public. Your progress is tracked through structured assessments, and you can earn community service hours that may support future applications.
6. Seaside Sustainability Internships
Location: Virtual options available for CA students
Eligibility: U.S. high school students able to commit at least 15 hours per week for 5 months
Application deadline: Rolling
Program dates: Five months; varying dates
Stipend: Unpaid; course credit available
Seaside Sustainability offers long-term internships where you work on projects in environmental science and sustainability at local, regional, and national levels. You will take on tasks ranging from research to program development and get opportunities to contribute ideas that shape real initiatives. The program emphasizes flexibility, allowing you to intern virtually and adapt your schedule while still engaging with ongoing projects. You will be an active participant in the organization’s planning and decision-making, gaining exposure to management, advisory, and communication roles. Over five months, you will gain experience in scientific inquiry, applied problem-solving, and environmental leadership.
7. UC San Diego’s Research Scholars: Marine Science Track
Location: Online or hybrid at UC San Diego, CA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12; academic prerequisites vary by the course tier
Application deadline: September 5
Program dates: Varies by course
Cost: Varies by course tier; starts at $2,000; scholarships available
UCSD’s Research Scholars Program offers high schoolers opportunities to explore a broad field in depth through coursework and research. The Marine Science track offers a three-tiered curriculum, covering the basics of marine biology and ecosystem science to providing you with research opportunities in collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography mentors. You can start with Tier 1 courses to build a foundation in biological, physical, and chemical oceanography, marine ecology, and marine biology. Then, you can move on to Tier 2 and 3 courses to build skills in research design, critical problem-solving, data analysis, scientific writing, and research presentation. Virtual lab experiences and guest speaker sessions are also part of the experience.
8. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Location: UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.80 weighted GPA
Application deadline: March 17
Program dates: June 16 – August 1
Cost: Commuter fee: $5,175 | Residential fee: $12,474; a limited number of scholarships are available
The UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program allows high school students to engage in full-time university-level research in a field of choice under the guidance of a graduate student, postdoctoral researcher, or faculty mentor. From 24 possible research areas, you can indicate your preference for marine biology and ecology. You will spend 35–50 hours each week on your project while also completing two courses for credit—Presentation Techniques and Introduction to Research. You will develop an independent research project, maintain detailed records, and deliver both written and oral presentations. By the end of the program, you will have some experience in the practice and communication of research.
9. UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14–17
Application deadline: February 28
Program dates: June 16 – August 9
Cost: $4,850 + $65 application fee; scholarships available
The UC Santa Cruz Science Internship Program places you in active university labs, where you work alongside faculty and PhD mentors on real research projects. You may be placed in ocean sciences and marine biology groups to study mammal behavior, kelp forests, sea urchin development, or the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Your work may include hands-on lab techniques such as specimen handling, microscopy, and histology. You also gain experience in computational analysis by using R and Python to run statistical tests like regression or ANOVA and by creating data visualizations. You will contribute to ongoing research, learn how to apply quantitative methods to real datasets, and build technical skills that connect biology with data science.
10. Catalina Sea Camp
Location: Catalina Island, Los Angeles, CA
Eligibility: Students, ages 12–17
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Dates: Multiple one, two, and three-week sessions from early June to early July
Cost: $6,650
Catalina Sea Camp offers a three-week marine biology summer program to middle and high school students interested in a activity-based summer experience. You will enroll in courses on fish and marine invertebrates, marine biology, and oceanography. You will engage in activities like building remote submersible vehicles and marine mammal labs. You will collect ocean-related data, run experiments, and observe organisms using a microscope. The program also offers you the opportunity to gain scuba certification and learn to sail. At camp, you will also find time to swim, relax on the beach, and engage in watersports.
11. Aquarium of the Pacific’s VolunTEENS
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA
Eligibility: High school students who are 14–16 years old
Application deadline: Spring Session: January 5 | Summer Session: April 20 | Fall Session: August 15
Dates: Spring Session: February 1 – April 6 (weekend shifts) | Summer Session: June 14 – August 10 (week-long shifts) | Fall Session: October 11 – December 7 (weekend shifts)
Cost/Stipend: None
The VolunTEEN program offers high school students a 60-hour volunteer experience focused on science communication and marine conservation. You will begin with training sessions to understand the aquarium, its inhabitants, and ecosystem to offer visitors an experiential learning experience. Then, you will learn how to interact with visitors and share with them what you know about marine ecosystems, gaining public speaking skills and practical exposure to marine biology careers in the process. Through various interactions and activities like conservation-themed carts and touch pool interactions, you will connect with peers and staff and develop a better understanding of marine life.
12. American Museum of Natural History’s Marine Biology Course
Location: Virtual via Coursera
Eligibility: Open to all students
Application deadline: None
Program dates: Self-paced course
Cost: Free to audit
Offered through Coursera by the American Museum of Natural History, this course provides a structured survey of marine biology across multiple ocean habitats. You will explore life in the ocean, from phytoplankton to whales, focusing on evolutionary history, functional morphology, and behavioral adaptations to aquatic life. The course also highlights the challenges of studying remote and extreme ocean environments, along with the technological tools used to address them. You will learn how physical ocean properties like pressure, temperature, and light shape biological communities. The course also focuses on the ecological roles of marine species and their significance in global systems.
13. University of Southampton’s Exploring Our Ocean
Location: Virtual via FutureLearn
Eligibility: Open to all
Application deadline: None
Program dates: Four weeks
Cost: Free
This 4-week online course from the University of Southampton (via FutureLearn) introduces you to the science of ocean exploration and marine ecosystems. You will learn about the history of oceanography, recent discoveries from deep-sea mapping, and the physical processes that shape currents, temperature, and salinity. The course also examines how marine life adapts across different habitats, from coral reefs to polar waters and abyssal depths. Human impacts, such as microplastic pollution and other stressors on ocean health, are addressed through case studies. Led by Professor Jon Copley, who was a science advisor for BBC’s Blue Planet II, the course provides both scientific grounding and insights from field research.
14. Harvard University (Radcliffe Institute) From Sea to Changing Sea: Marine Life and Ocean Conservation Course
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Open to all
Application deadline: None
Program dates: Self-paced
Cost: Free
This online course, offered by Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute (via Coursera), introduces you to the science of marine ecosystems and how they respond to environmental change. You will explore how ocean systems shape climate patterns, and in turn, how climate variability alters biodiversity and ecological stability. The course features case studies from experts at institutions such as the New England Aquarium, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, and Cornell’s Bioacoustics Research Program. Topics include biodiversity loss, habitat stress, and conservation strategies. By the end, you will have a better understanding of the science underlying marine conservation debates and the data-driven approaches used to protect ocean ecosystems.
Image source – University of Southampton