Have you ever wondered what it’s like to study life beneath the waves? Marine biology programs give high school students the chance to answer that question firsthand. Through hands-on observation, data collection, and analysis, you’ll explore ocean ecosystems while building strong technical and research skills. You might measure water quality, track marine species, or analyze ecological patterns using statistical models. These programs teach you to approach biological systems like a real scientist, preparing you for university-level research.
Marine science blends biology, chemistry, physics, and data analysis, offering a truly interdisciplinary experience. Many programs take place at coastal research stations, aquariums, or field labs, where you can practice population monitoring, GIS mapping, or biodiversity assessment in authentic marine environments. Others provide virtual or lab-based mentorships that focus on experimental design and data interpretation. Whether your interest lies in conservation, ecology, or aquatic research, these programs give you the tools and experience to dive deep into the field.
Below, we have listed 14 marine biology programs for high school students.
14 Marine Biology Programs for High School Students
1. University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory – High School Science Discovery Program
Location: Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Cost: Week-long course: $2,900; Three-day course: $1,450; scholarships may be available for public schools
Dates: Academic year between November – March
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: High school students (the program recommends having at least completed basic biology as a prerequisite)
Hosted at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, this program immerses students in professional-level biological and marine research. You’ll work directly with MBL scientists using advanced microscopy, imaging, and molecular tools to investigate aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Topics span microbial symbiosis, aquatic animal development, and environmental adaptation. Through field sampling, imaging analysis, and lab-based experimentation, you’ll develop technical proficiency in data interpretation and experimental design.
2. Sea Education Association (SEA) – Pre-College: Marine Biology
Location: Woods Hole, Massachusetts
Cost: Not specified and will be announced; financial aid is available
Dates: August 4 – 21
Application Deadline: March 30; rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates
SEA’s Pre-College: Marine Biology program is an intensive seminar designed to mirror college-level oceanographic research training. You’ll study marine ecosystems from plankton to top predators through field sampling, laboratory analysis, and ecological modeling. Instruction covers biodiversity assessment, species adaptation, and conservation in response to climate change. You design a research project, collecting and analyzing data for a final presentation to peers and faculty. The program includes visits to research institutions in Woods Hole, such as WHOI and the Marine Biological Laboratory, providing exposure to current marine research techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration in ocean science.
3. UC San Diego Marine Science – Investigating Human and Climate Impacts on Oceans and Biodiversity
Location: Hybrid (Week 1 online; Weeks 2–3 in person at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA)
Cost: $4,800
Dates: Online: June 23 – 27; In-person: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: Not specified; program often operates on a rolling admissions basis due to limited space
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 | Minimum age 14 by the program’s start
This Tier 2 pre-college research course immerses students in independent, mentor-guided projects at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. You’ll design and execute a research study within one of several themes ranging from thermal imaging of coastal ecosystems to molecular analysis of marine biodiversity using eDNA sequencing. Instruction emphasizes hypothesis generation, experimental design, and quantitative data analysis. You will gain hands-on experience with ecological monitoring tools, nanopore sequencing, and fluorescence-based gene expression assays.
4. VIMS Governor’s School – Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Location: Gloucester Point, Virginia (residential; housing at Christopher Newport University)
Cost: None
Dates: Four weeks (late June – late July, annually)
Application Deadline: Early spring (applications reviewed by VIMS faculty)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors nominated through Virginia’s Governor’s School selection process
The VIMS Governor’s School is an advanced summer apprenticeship that immerses selected students in active marine research at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Under the guidance of VIMS faculty, you’ll participate in original research projects involving topics such as estuarine ecology, marine chemistry, or coastal hydrodynamics. You will assist with experimental design, field sampling, and data analysis, culminating in a written report and presentation. The program emphasizes hypothesis-driven research, technical accuracy, and exposure to laboratory and field methodologies used in professional marine science.
5. Brown Pre-College Programs – Research Methods in Marine Science
Location: Providence, Rhode Island (on-campus)
Cost: Residential: $5,786; Commuter: $4,482 + $150 supplemental lab fee; financial aid is available
Dates: June 23 – July 3
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15 – 18
This intensive two-week course introduces you to the experimental methods used in marine research. You’ll conduct fieldwork and on-the-water sampling in Narragansett Bay, learning to collect, organize, and analyze oceanographic data. Coursework emphasizes the four branches of oceanography – physical, chemical, biological, and geological and teaches you to interpret peer-reviewed literature in marine science. Using real environmental data, you’ll produce a short research presentation that mirrors a scientific paper, applying quantitative reasoning and communication skills. The course provides foundational training in data collection instruments, ecosystem assessment, and scientific writing for marine biology research.
6. UC San Diego Marine Biodiversity: Coral Reef Ecology and Conservation – Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies
Location: Virtual (live online)
Cost: $1,500
Dates: February 10 – March 5
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12 | Must be at least 14 years old at program start
This online course introduces students to the biophysical and ecological dynamics of coral reef systems. You’ll examine how chemical, physical, and biological processes interact to shape coral ecosystems and evaluate the effects of global stressors such as warming and acidification. Using tools like the Allen Coral Atlas and NOAA reef monitoring datasets, you’ll apply real-world survey methods and data analysis to assess reef health. You also gain hands-on experience by designing and maintaining model reef tanks, translating theoretical principles into applied coral care.
7. Shoals Marine Laboratory – High School Programs
Location: Appledore Island, Maine
Cost: $1,840 per credit + $225 Room & Board per night + $400 SML Program Fee per course; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Courses offered in summer (one- to two-week sessions between July 28 and August 18, more details here)
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are filled
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Shoals Marine Laboratory offers pre-college field courses that combine experimental design, ecological data collection, and marine biodiversity analysis. Courses such as Marine Environmental Science, Introduction to the Biology of Sharks, Skates, and Rays, and Marine Vertebrates of the Gulf of Maine teach you how to deploy sampling instruments, conduct species counts, and analyze oceanographic data. You’ll also examine marine organisms through dissection and field identification, integrating lab results with ecosystem-level observations.
8. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) – Marine Biology Program
Location: University of California, Berkeley
Cost: $4,495; scholarships are available
Dates: June 12 – 20; June 24 – July 2; July 6 – 14; July 18 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: High school students between ages 14 – 18 having a demonstrated interest in environmental and biological sciences
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) – Marine Biology Program is a specialized, summer academic and leadership enrichment program designed to give high-achieving high school students an intensive, hands-on introduction to the field of marine biology and ocean conservation. This nine-day pre-college program introduces you to marine ecology and conservation through fieldwork, data analysis, and lab-based experiments. You’ll study how environmental stressors influence marine biodiversity and participate in dissections and sustainability simulations. The curriculum integrates marine science with environmental policy, encouraging systems-level thinking about human ocean interactions.
9. ARCC Summer Programs – Marine Biology & Conservation Tracks
Location: Multiple global sites, including Belize, Fiji, Costa Rica, California, and the Galápagos Islands
Cost: Varies by destination and duration
Dates: Sessions available in June and July (2 – 4 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: All high school students; destination-specific requirements could apply
ARCC’s marine-focused summer programs combine field ecology, data collection, and conservation research across diverse marine environments. Depending on the destination, you may survey coral reef biodiversity, analyze water quality, or assist in coastal restoration projects. The curriculum blends ecological monitoring with field journaling and applied environmental science. You’ll gain experience using field sampling techniques, understanding ecosystem dynamics, and working collaboratively within small teams. The program emphasizes research ethics, environmental policy, and data interpretation, core competencies for students pursuing marine or environmental biology.
10. Marine Biology Adventure Camp – Sea Turtle Camp
Location: North Carolina coast (based at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center)
Cost: $2,980; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple sessions available throughout summer (May 31 – July 31)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders to recent high school graduates | Ages 13 – 18
This week-long field program introduces students to marine ecology and conservation through structured, hands-on research activities. You’ll participate in sea turtle monitoring, species identification, and behavioral observation while contributing to ongoing conservation projects. Field modules include salt marsh kayaking, aquarium-based biodiversity studies, and ecosystem sampling in intertidal zones. The curriculum integrates marine biology fundamentals with applied conservation techniques, such as habitat assessment and water quality testing. You will also document daily findings, strengthening scientific communication and field data recording skills. Living on Topsail Island with fellow campers, you will also conduct species identification and perform dissections.
11. Salish Sea School – Summer STaRS (Student Training as Research Scientists)
Location: Anacortes, Washington
Cost: $1,799; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 22 – 26; July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Typically late spring or early summer
Eligibility: Students ages 14 – 18
Summer STaRS is an intensive, boat-based marine research program focused on ecological monitoring and field data collection in the San Juan Islands. You’ll conduct visual and acoustic surveys of orcas, analyze kelp forest health, and record intertidal biodiversity patterns. The curriculum emphasizes the use of GPS mapping, data logging instruments, and acoustic monitoring tools to study marine ecosystems. Field sessions include overnight camping and night observations, offering a full immersion in marine field research. By the end of the program, you’ll develop skills in species identification, data analysis, and evidence-based conservation reporting.
12. Broadreach – Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage
Location: Multiple sites across the Caribbean
Cost: $6,880; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 14 – 30; July 3 – 19; July 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12
This sailing-based marine biology program integrates academic coursework with field research across coral reef ecosystems. Living aboard a research vessel, you’ll conduct ecological surveys, assess coral and fish diversity, and study oceanographic parameters using standard field instrumentation. The curriculum links marine ecology with environmental conservation, emphasizing observational accuracy and data interpretation. You will also earn natural science credits and diving certifications, providing both technical and academic experience in marine fieldwork. Research activities are accredited through Lesley University, combining experiential learning with quantitative environmental analysis.
13. Broadreach – Marine Biology & Ocean Conservation Programs
Location: Global sites including Curaçao, Fiji, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Azores
Cost: $5,280 – $8,580 (varies by destination and duration); need-and-merit-based scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple summer sessions (June – August)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (ages 12–18); some programs require prior dive certification
Broadreach offers field-based marine biology programs emphasizing ecological research, species identification, and diving-based data collection. Depending on the track, you may assist with coral restoration in Curaçao, analyze reef composition in Fiji, or study marine mammal behavior in the Azores. Programs combine biological survey methods, underwater research techniques, and conservation project design. You will work alongside marine scientists to collect quantitative ecological data while earning PADI dive certifications and natural science college credits. Each expedition integrates field documentation and environmental analysis, reinforcing both technical and research communication skills in marine science.
14. Eckerd College – Marine Science Pre-College Program
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida (Gulf of Mexico waterfront campus)
Cost: $2,250; limited need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Session I: June 14 – 19; Session II: June 21 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full (Opens in January)
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade high school students
Eckerd College’s pre-college program offers structured field and laboratory experience modeled on its undergraduate marine science curriculum. You’ll conduct plankton tows, analyze live specimens under microscopes, and collect ecological data from seagrass beds and coastal systems. Additional modules cover topics in marine chemistry, geology, and biology through vessel-based research and lab exercises. You will learn species identification, field sampling methodology, and basic data analysis used in coastal and estuarine studies.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in marine biology, 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, like coral reef ecosystems, marine biodiversity, oceanography, and conservation strategies. 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 –