15 Marine Biology Summer Programs for High School Students

Key Takeaways

• These 15 programs cover a wide range of marine biology topics, from coral reef ecology and fisheries science at UCSD and Shoals Marine Laboratory to sea turtle rehabilitation and conservation at Sea Turtle Camp and MOTE Marine Laboratory.
• Program formats vary considerably, from short one-week experiences like Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM Program to longer three-week residential programs like SEA’s Marine Biology Pre-College Program.
• Several programs, including the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program and SEAP, are free to attend and provide a stipend, while others, like Sea Turtle Camp and UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program, charge tuition running into the thousands.
• Many programs emphasize hands-on fieldwork, such as snorkeling, water sampling, and species identification, rather than classroom-only instruction, giving you direct exposure to marine environments and research techniques.
• If you’re interested in a research-focused alternative rather than marine biology specifically, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a mentored path toward a formal academic paper across fields like data science, environmental science, and the social sciences.

Marine biology is a fascinating field that explores all marine life, ranging from microscopic plankton and coral reefs to sharks and whales. As an interdisciplinary field, it combines principles from biology, ecology, oceanography, chemistry, and environmental science to understand marine organisms and the ecosystems they inhabit. Through fieldwork, laboratory research, and conservation initiatives, marine biologists investigate everything from species interactions and ocean health to the impacts of human activity on marine environments. If you’re interested in understanding how these ecosystems function, you should consider participating in a marine biology summer program for high school students. 

What do marine biology summer programs for high school students include?

Marine biology summer programs generally combine classroom instruction with hands-on experiences to offer high school students a comprehensive understanding of the field. Depending on the program, you will explore topics like marine ecology, oceanography, fisheries science, marine microbiology, conservation biology, and climate science. You will also learn practical skills by engaging in tasks like species identification, ecological sampling, water quality testing, plankton collection, microscopy, dissections, DNA extraction, and more. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to speak to professional marine biologists and get insight into career pathways in the field. 

To help you get started, here are 15 marine biology summer programs for high school students. 

You can also check out these guides on marine biology internships and marine biology research topics for high school students!

1. UCSD Research Scholars – Marine Science Track

The Research Scholars program is a prestigious program that allows you to explore an advanced STEM course in depth, with a strong focus on research elements. The program’s marine science track is available in three tiers, with Tier 1 offering introductory coursework, Tier 2 involving an original research project, and Tier 3 taking the project forward and translating it into a publishable scientific manuscript. Overall, you can expect to explore topics like oceanography, coral reef ecology, biomonitoring, thermodynamics, animal physiology, fisheries science, and more.

2. Simons Summer Research Program

Simons Summer Research Program is a highly selective and well-reputed research program for high school students. During the program, you will be matched with a Stony Brook faculty mentor and work on an assigned project as part of their research group. One of the research areas is marine science, covering topics like shellfish ecology, ecological physiology, and shellfish adaptation to climate change. Your work will culminate in a research abstract and poster, which you will present during the program’s closing symposium. 

3. Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM Program

Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM Program offers a hands-on research experience in ocean science to 16 high school students in Maine. The program primarily involves field and laboratory work and focuses on biological, chemical, and geological characteristics of the local marine environment. In the process, you will use oceanographic equipment and lab instruments to study phytoplankton, zooplankton, pigments, nutrients, bacteria, and marine viruses. At the end of the program, you will deliver a presentation on your research findings. Additionally, the program includes discussions with scientists and sessions on career exploration. 

4. Shoals Marine Laboratory’s High School Courses

Shoals Marine Laboratory’s program gives you the chance to take up college-level courses in the field of marine science. There are four courses to choose from: Marine Environmental Science, Introduction to the Biology of Sharks, Skates, and Rays, Marine Vertebrates of the Gulf of Maine, and Introduction to Scientific Illustration. You can expect plenty of fieldwork such as collecting water samples, exploring intertidal zones, observing seal colonies, and dissecting sharks. As a bonus, you will also earn Cornell University credits upon completing this program!  

5. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program 

UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program is a prestigious research program that pairs high school students with faculty mentors and gives them a chance to work on college-level research. The program begins with a virtual component and is followed by an in-person research experience including data collection, lab experiments, and fieldwork. Marine biology is one of the available research areas, with previous students having worked on topics such as marine microbiology, coastal water quality, marine fungal genetics, and the impacts of industrial activity on marine ecosystems. At the end of the program, you will complete a research paper and present your findings during a symposium.

6. SEA’s Marine Biology Pre-College Program

SEA’s Marine Biology Pre-College program is a three-week program that dives into marine biology. The program uses a combination of rigorous coursework, lab research, field trips, and fieldwork on Cape Cod. As a participant, you will study coastal ecosystems, biodiversity patterns, ecological processes, conservation, species adaptation, and more. You will also collect and analyze data as part of a research project, which could be on topics like the impact of climate change on seals or the identification of invasive species on Cape Cod’s eroding coastline.

7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)

The Department of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is an eight-week program that gives you the chance to work on real Navy research. During the program, you will be assigned to one of the Navy’s labs and contribute to their research along with mentorship from professional scientists and engineers. There are various STEM research areas available, and marine biology is one of them. In addition to learning research skills, you will also get the chance to work with Naval technology. 

8. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program offers you an eight-week internship and mentoring program in fisheries and aquatic science. Each participant is paired with a host institute and a fisheries professional mentor, under whose guidance you will engage in hands-on work. Depending on the internship, you could work in an office, in the field, on a boat, or in a lab. You will spend 35 hours per week working for the internship, taking part in activities like taking fish population surveys, snorkeling, eDNA sampling, electrofishing, testing water quality, and more. 

9. University of South Florida’s Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration

The University of South Florida’s Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration is a weeklong immersive program for high school students interested in marine biology and oceanography. The coursework combines the foundational concepts of the field with coastal and offshore fieldwork, allowing you to apply classroom concepts in real-world marine environments. The program culminates with a day spent on a research vessel, collecting and analyzing data. Additionally, you will also visit marine-focused institutions and meet professionals from the field in order to understand career pathways in this area. 

10. Brown Pre-College Program’s Marine Ecology Course

A part of Brown University’s pre-college offerings, “Marine Ecology: Studying and Safeguarding Our Most Vulnerable Ecosystems” is a two-week, virtual course for high school students. The program focuses on the marine ecosystems of the Florida Keys and explores their primary habitats, including seagrasses, mangroves, and coral reefs. Through lessons led by marine biologists, you will also study the interconnectedness of these habitats and the impact of human behaviour on them. Despite being a virtual program, you will get a close look at these ecosystems through on-water and underwater footage, including that of live specimens.    

11. Sea Turtle Camp’s Marine Biology Immersion Camp

Sea Turtle Camp’s Marine Biology Immersion Camp is an 11-day immersive program for high school students that focuses on sea turtles and their marine environment. This is an incredibly hands-on experience where you will work with the staff of a sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center and assist them with feeding turtles, cleaning tanks, and searching for them during nest walks. You will also study the coastal environment through kayaking, identifying species in local salt marshes, conducting a marine sampling trawl, and even scuba diving. By the end of the program, you will have earned 25 community service hours.   

12. NSLC’s High School Summer Marine Biology Program

NSLC’s High School Summer Marine Biology Program offers a comprehensive learning experience in marine biology through a combination of college-level classes, workshops, guest speakers, and field trips. During the program, you will examine the internal structure of aquatic animals, conduct a simulated fish survey, help manage a marine sanctuary, design a conservation strategy to protect reef ecosystems, and engage in more such hands-on activities. You can also expect field trips involving tide pooling and whale watching. By the end of the program, you will have a better understanding of topics like marine biodiversity, sustainability, aquatic environments, climate change, and the future of marine science. 

13. Duke University’s Pre-College Courses

One of Duke University’s pre-college courses is the marine biology and ecology course, which explores how marine ecosystems function and how they can be protected. The program dives into topics such as marine food webs, species interaction, ocean chemistry, human impact, conservation strategies, and various marine ecosystems. For a capstone project, you and your team will analyze ecological data from a specific marine environment, identify threats, and develop conservation or restoration strategies. Additionally, the program will also include case studies, field experiences, species-identification exercises, and scenario-based problem solving.   

14. Roger Williams University’s Marine Biology Camp

Roger Williams University’s Marine Biology Camp is a residential program that explores the fundamentals of marine biology. As a participant, you will explore topics like coastal ecosystems, food chains, current events in marine biology, aquaculture, seaweed biology, and more. You will get a firsthand experience examining marine life through activities like snorkeling, kayaking, and boat trips off Cape Cod to see whales. You will learn oceanographic sampling techniques and how to conduct lab experiments with organisms such as plankton and seaweed. 

15. MOTE Marine Laboratory’s High School Volunteer Program

MOTE Marine Laboratory, a research organization and aquarium, offers you the opportunity to volunteer at the institution and learn about marine research, animal care, and conservation education. Participants go through three stages, beginning as Junior Crew members who work as aquarium guides during the summer and then moving on to becoming Volunteens, who assist education staff, shadow professionals, and contribute to hands-on research and animal care. After two years as a Volunteen, you will become a Crew Leader (this requires a new application) and add leadership tasks to your duties, such as developing training material and mentoring Junior Crew members.  

One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program

If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like investigative journalism, media studies, political reporting, data journalism, and the ethics of news and information, 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 1,000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of marine biology programs are available to high school students?

You’ll find a mix of formats, including university research placements like the Simons Summer Research Program and UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program, hands-on field programs like Shoals Marine Laboratory’s courses and Sea Turtle Camp, and shorter immersive experiences like Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM Program and USF’s Aqua Bulls Ocean Exploration. There are also virtual options, like Brown’s Marine Ecology Course, if you can’t travel for an in-person, field-based program.

Do you need prior science coursework to apply?

It depends on the program. Some, like SEA’s Marine Biology Pre-College Program, require you to have completed at least one high school science and math course, while others, like Shoals Marine Laboratory’s courses, set a minimum grade requirement in science classes specifically. Programs like Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM Program don’t list a specific coursework prerequisite, focusing more on general interest and Maine residency.

Are there free options available?

Yes, a few programs on this list don’t charge a fee. Bigelow Laboratory’s Keller BLOOM Program, SEAP, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, and MOTE Marine Laboratory’s High School Volunteer Program are all free to participate in, and a couple of these also provide a stipend on top of being free.

Which programs offer stipends or paid positions?

SEAP offers a $4,000 to $4,500 stipend depending on lab placement, and the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program provides a $3,000 stipend. The Simons Summer Research Program is also paid, giving you compensation alongside your research placement at Stony Brook University.

Which programs focus specifically on hands-on fieldwork like snorkeling or boat trips?

If hands-on field experience is your priority, Sea Turtle Camp’s Marine Biology Immersion Camp includes kayaking, scuba diving, and marine sampling trawls, and Roger Williams University’s Marine Biology Camp features snorkeling and boat trips to see whales off Cape Cod. Shoals Marine Laboratory’s courses also emphasize fieldwork heavily, including intertidal zone exploration and shark dissections, depending on which course you choose.

Is there a way to pursue independent research beyond a marine biology-specific program?

Yes. If you’re interested in a research-focused alternative rather than marine biology specifically, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication, across fields like data science, environmental science, and the social sciences. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?

Deadlines for these programs are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program has one of the earliest deadlines, running from November 21 to January 25, followed by SEA’s Marine Biology Pre-College Program (January 16 first deadline) and the Simons Summer Research Program (February 5). MOTE Marine Laboratory’s Volunteer Program closes April 15, while UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program uses a rolling deadline starting March 9. Several programs, including Shoals Marine Laboratory and Sea Turtle Camp, don’t specify a fixed deadline, so it’s worth checking each program’s website directly for current timing.

Image source: Duke University