12 Marine Biology Internships for High School Students
If you are looking for a way to get some early exposure to the field of marine biology in high school, an internship is worth considering!
Internships designed for high school students can be opportunities to gain real-world experience, build practical skills, and explore potential career paths at little to no cost. These opportunities also let you learn outside the classroom, often in hands-on, professional environments. If you are interested in the fields of marine biology, oceanography, and/or environmental science, you will find internships particularly rewarding, as they can help you explore the fascinating world of aquatic life and ecosystems.
With hands-on experiences like working alongside researchers, assisting in labs, or contributing to field studies, marine biology internships can also help you develop critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills. These opportunities also open doors to mentorship and valuable connections with experts in their chosen fields.
From university-led programs to nonprofit and government initiatives, today, you can choose from several internships in the field. To help you find the right option, we have narrowed the list down to 12 marine biology internships for high school students.
1. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Location: Multiple locations. Placements are within a 45-minute commute from each participant’s home.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 30–35 students accepted each year.
Dates: Start and end dates are flexible and determined by the selected student and their mentor. Students commit to 32-hour work weeks.
Application deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are at least 16 years old
Stipend: $3,000
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology program is a paid, eight-week summer internship and mentorship initiative for high school students. Administered by the American Fisheries Society (AFS), the program’s primary goal is to encourage interest in fisheries and aquatic sciences, particularly among students from underrepresented backgrounds. During the internship, you will be paired with a mentor and gain hands-on experience through a customized internship. You will also get to engage in activities like fish population assessments, habitat restoration, electrofishing, water quality monitoring, and other research or conservation-related efforts. Depending on the mentor's organization, you may carry out various tasks such as fieldwork, laboratory research, data analysis, or educational outreach.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12- to 15-week programs are conducted throughout the year in the form of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Application deadline: The exact dates vary based on the chosen cohort. Spring cohort has a January deadline, Summer has a May deadline, Fall applications close in September, and Winter applications are due in November.
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the AI Scholars program or have some experience with AI concepts or Python.
Cost: $2,290 for AI Scholars | $5,400 for AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available. You can apply here.
Founded by Harvard graduate students, Veritas AI offers several programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program introduces you to the basics of machine learning, AI, and data science through a structured 10-session boot camp, culminating in real-world project work. You can indicate your interest in working on a marine biology project.
For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase is an opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from leading universities on individual AI research projects. As a participant, you get to choose a project topic that is relevant to the field of marine biology. The program will offer support from an in-house publication team to help you publish your work in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Natural History Museum’s Marine Teens Internship
Location: Natural History Museum, Los Angeles, CA + various locations throughout LA County.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10 students
Dates: June 17 – July 25
Application deadline: Applications open on February 14 and close on March 10.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors attending Boyle Heights high schools, including the Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School, Math, Science & Technology Magnet Academy, Theodore Roosevelt High School, and Boyle Heights STEM Magnet
Stipend: Paid internship; however, the exact amount is not specified
The Marine Teens program offers high school students paid summer internships, where they serve as museum employees. As an intern, you will design and present a marine science interpretation project to visitors. The program aims to provide you with exposure to museum-based research, collections, public engagement, and educational program development. If you are a returning intern, you can serve as a Peer Mentor, taking on leadership roles that involve supporting first-year participants, contributing to educational outreach, and refining skills in public speaking, science communication, and teamwork. As second-year interns, you will get to develop a clearer understanding of the museum's role and build connections with professionals in the field.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate: Selective; in the past, 70 students were accepted out of 700 applicants
Dates: 8–12-week sessions with multiple cohorts throughout the year, including winter, spring, summer, and fall. The summer cohort starts on June 2.
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The summer cohort II deadline is June 23.
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10 to 20 hours/week for 8 to 12 weeks
Cost: Starting at $2,490 | Need-based financial aid is available.
Ladder Internships is a selective virtual internship program founded by Harvard alumni. The program connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide. You can choose from various fields, including biology, environmental sciences, marine sciences, tech, health, nonprofit, and more. As an intern, you will contribute to real-world projects aligned with your host organization’s mission and get to present your work at the conclusion of the program.
The program also offers personalized mentorship. You will be paired with both a startup manager and a Ladder coach and get access to one-on-one training in skills like communication and time management, as well as to group sessions with peers. Virtual internship placements span globally, with a strong presence in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. You can explore available opportunities on the application form.
5. New England Aquarium’s Summer Teen Internship Program
Location: New England Aquarium, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort: Selective program; 40 students
Dates: The internship typically runs for seven weeks in the summer
Application deadline: TBA, but applications will open in March
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 or older and live in Boston and Cambridge
Stipend: Paid, but the amount is not specified
The Summer Teen Internship Program is an opportunity to develop practical skills, take on new challenges, and build meaningful connections in an engaging environment. As an intern, you will participate in one week of training and six weeks of hands-on work. Here, you will serve as an Interpretation and Engagement Aquarium Guide and assist with tasks like interpreting exhibits, educating visitors about marine life and conservation, and facilitating interactive activities. You will receive comprehensive training in marine and climate science, public speaking, and customer service. In addition, you will participate in weekly professional development and ocean advocacy courses and have optional opportunities to attend behind-the-scenes workshops and social events.
6. Ocean Institute’s Summer Internship Program
Location: Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 14 – August 17
Application deadline: Applications open in March
Eligibility: High school students
Cost/Stipend: None
Ocean Institute’s Summer Internship Program is an immersive, hands-on experience for high school students interested in marine science, education, and environmental stewardship. During the program, you will work closely with staff and volunteers, serving as interpreters for exhibits, activities, and displays. Your responsibilities can be preparing for shifts using the training and study materials, managing guest interactions, maintaining safety protocols, assisting with setup and cleanup, and/or ensuring a positive visitor experience. This internship can offer you some practical experience in marine education, communication and teamwork skill development, and opportunities to contribute to improving public understanding of ocean conservation.
7. Long Island Aquarium’s High School Internship
Location: Long Island Aquarium, Riverhead, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Start and end dates are flexible, and internships typically last a minimum of 120 hours
Application deadline: Fall Semester: August 15 | Spring Semester: December 15 | Summer Semester: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older
Stipend: Unpaid
The Long Island Aquarium offers high schoolers internships through its education department, providing them with an opportunity to explore marine science from the perspective of a marine educator. The program aims to cultivate environmental communicators capable of effectively translating and sharing knowledge about the aquatic environment. You will be paired with experienced education staff who serve as mentors throughout the program, offering guidance, instructional materials, and insights into careers in marine science. As an intern, you will engage directly with the public at interactive touch tanks and develop public speaking skills by delivering scheduled presentations at designated exhibits.
8. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences: Keller BLOOM Program
Location: Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 16 students
Dates: May 18 – 23
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Maine home-schooled, public, and private high school juniors who are curious about ocean or environmental science are eligible to apply.
Cost/Stipend: None
The Keller BLOOM (Bigelow Laboratory Orders Of Magnitude) Program offers Maine high school students a hands-on introduction to ocean science research. Here, you will work alongside professional scientists to study the biological, chemical, and geological aspects of the local marine environment through fieldwork and laboratory analysis. The program begins with training in sampling techniques, followed by a research cruise on the Sheepscot River estuary. Over the next several days, you will conduct lab-based investigations using advanced equipment to study marine microorganisms and environmental data. The program concludes with student presentations summarizing their research. In addition to scientific training, you will engage in discussions on topics such as science policy and ethics and attend a Marine Science Career Night.
9. SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station (BFS) Internships
Location: The State University of New York, Oneonta, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 1-3 students each year
Dates: The program runs for nine weeks from late May through August
Application deadline: March 26
Eligibility: New York State high school students who are 16 years or older as of June 20
Stipend: $3,000.
Biological Field Station (BFS) Internships are meant for undergraduate and high school students interested in getting some exposure to biology research. You will begin your day with a coordination meeting at the BFS Main Lab to plan activities and allocate equipment. Daily tasks differ based on the research needs of faculty, staff, and fellow interns, with a combination of individual and collaborative work. You will gain exposure to fieldwork, such as carrying out fishery and plant surveys and water sampling, as well as lab work, including water chemistry analysis, specimen identification, and data interpretation. Samples collected in the field are processed or stored upon return to the lab. Weekly seminars, featuring presentations by BFS faculty, are also part of the experience and can help provide you with some insights into local ecological systems. As an intern, you will deliver a presentation on your research, submit a technical report by early August, and create a research poster summarizing your findings.
10. National Aquarium’s Youth Exhibit Guide Program
Location: National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 students
Dates: June 30 – August 10 + A Youth Exhibit Guide orientation takes place on May 18, and training sessions are held from June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Applications open in December and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Local high school students in grades 10 – 12 are eligible to apply.
Cost: $40 materials fee. Need-based scholarships are available.
The National Aquarium’s Youth Exhibit Guide Program offers high school students a summer volunteer opportunity to engage with exhibits and support staff, and experience the Aquarium’s mission firsthand. Here, you will gain insight into careers in marine biology, develop professional skills, and connect with peers who share similar interests. You will also attend an orientation and training sessions. Training covers key details regarding exhibit content, Chesapeake Bay ecology, conservation, interpretation methods, and customer service. Direct animal interaction is limited to the Living Seashore exhibit. The program provides valuable work experience and opportunities for continued participation during the school year based on your performance.
11. Mystic Aquarium Education & Conservation Internship
Location: Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Each semester lasts 16 weeks | The Spring semester runs from January to May, Summer from May to August, and Fall from September to December.
Application deadline: Spring Semester: September 30 | Summer Semester: January 31 | Fall Semester: May 31
Eligibility: High school students
Stipend: None
The Mystic Aquarium Education & Conservation internship aligns with the institution’s mission to foster ocean stewardship through conservation, education, and research. You will gain experience in marine science, conservation, curriculum design, activity planning, instruction, and classroom management. Roles include supporting programs for early childhood, school groups, summer camps, and public conservation efforts. You may also get to assist educators in classroom and field settings, deliver outreach programs in local schools, lead public presentations at the Aquarium, prepare educational materials, and, when possible, teach segments of Aquarium classes.
12. Aquarium of the Pacific’s VolunTEENS
Location: Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, CA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Spring Session: February 1 – April 6 (shifts on weekends only) | Summer Session: June 14 – August 10 (shifts 7 days a week)
Application deadline: Spring Session: January 5 | Summer Session: April 20
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 to 16 years old
Stipend: Unpaid
The VolunTEEN program at the Aquarium of the Pacific offers high school students a 60-hour volunteer experience focused on science communication and marine conservation. First, you will undergo training to understand the aquarium, its inhabitants, and ecosystem. This will help you provide visitors with an experiential learning experience.
During the program, you will interact with visitors to share with them what you know about marine ecosystems, gaining public speaking skills and practical exposure to marine biology careers in the process. Through hands-on activities like conservation-themed carts and touch pool interactions, you will build confidence, connect with peers and staff, and develop a deeper understanding of marine science.
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