Environmental science summer programs for high school students can provide hands-on experience in ecological systems, sustainability, and environmental impact. If it's a field you’re interested in, or curious about, these programs can equip you with skills in research, data analysis, and fieldwork, laying a foundation for future studies or careers in environmental science. 

You could learn to use specialized software like GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and gain experience in environmental monitoring and lab procedures. By the end of the program, you will develop a deeper understanding of ecological principles and the tools to address real-world environmental challenges. Here are 10 environmental science summer programs for high school students that you can consider!

1. Veritas AI - AI + Environmental Science Deep Dive 

Location: Virtual.

Cost: $2,290 with need-based financial support available. 

Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with cohort. The upcoming fall cohort deadline is September 8, 2024.

Program Dates: Multiple cohorts, including fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Eligibility: All high school students can apply. Applicants must have completed the AI Scholars program or have prior Python experience. 

The Veritas AI Deep Dive is a 10-week program tailored for students passionate about AI and environmental science. During the program, you will interact with AI specialists, engage in lectures, explore programming notebooks, and work on a hands-on project focused on AI applications in environmental science. 

This program provides an opportunity to explore the role of AI in addressing climate change and advancing environmental research. Students will work on projects that involve AI and machine learning, such as climate modeling, weather forecasting, disaster prediction, and more. The program aims to deepen the participants’ understanding of predictive modeling in environmental science, remote sensing, mapping, and natural disaster analysis.

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program - Environmental Science Track

Location: Virtual.
Cost: Individual Research Program: $2,990 | Premium Research & Publication Program: $5,900 | Research Fellowship: $8,900. Some financial aid is offered.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary with the cohort. Applications are due in February, May, September, and December, for the summer, fall, winter and spring cohorts, respectively.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the opportunity to conduct research in a field of their choice, including environmental studies, with guidance from expert PhD mentors. The program, founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford, is entirely virtual, allowing you to participate from anywhere in the world. Students collaborate one-on-one with a PhD mentor to produce a university-level research paper.

You can find the application form here. Also, check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students.

3. Horizon - Environmental Science Track

Location: Virtual.

Cost: This information is not available at the moment. You can contact Horizon for more information regarding tuition and questions about need-based financial aid.

Application Deadline: September 25, 2024 for the fall cohort. There are multiple cohorts during the year.

Program Dates: Summer - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024 | Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025. Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.

Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.

Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as environmental science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research! 

Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work on writing a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. 

This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and college applications.

4. Washington Youth Summit on the Environment

Location: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

Cost: $2,500.

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in December. 

Program Dates: June 23 - 28, 2024

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors can apply. 

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) at George Mason University, in partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, offers a hands-on, immersive experience focused on current environmental challenges. The program features expert-led lectures from organizations like the US Department of Energy, National Geographic, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Students participate in field excursions, such as sample collection at the Rappahannock River, macroinvertebrate analysis at Mason Neck State Park, and exploration of Skyline Caverns. Visits to Potomac Vegetable Farms and Great Country Farms are also part of the experience. Participants earn one college credit, and while most attendees are nominated by teachers or the university, self-nomination is also available.

5. Young Innovators Climate & Energy Program

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Cost: Free!

Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.

Program Dates: July 28, 2024 - August 2, 2024.

Eligibility: Grade 11 students who are at least 15 years old and living in the US can apply.

This week-long residential program introduces students to careers in climate and energy policy through discussions, hands-on projects, and guided readings. Led by faculty from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, Becker Friedman Institute, and Climate Impact Lab, participants delve into critical climate and energy issues. Students explore professional and academic opportunities, including a tour of Invenergy’s Chicago headquarters. The visit features a panel where industry professionals share insights and highlight STEM career possibilities.The program values diversity in tackling climate policy and sustainability, encouraging applications from students with diverse perspectives.

6. Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute

 

Location: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY.

Cost: $3,900.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Program Dates: July 14 - 27, 2024

Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors can apply.

At Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI) allows students to explore real-world environmental challenges while developing their collaboration and problem-solving skills. Ideal for those exploring academic and career paths, the program offers exposure to various potential majors and fields. A standout feature of ESSYI is its diverse faculty of 18 instructors with expertise in areas like indigenous studies, lake ecology, environmental philosophy, and theater for social change. Students engage in unique sessions, such as Climate Change Law and Policy, Aquatic Biology of Seneca Lake, and Geography of Waste Management. The program also includes fieldwork in the Adirondacks, and participants earn one college credit by the end of the program.

7. Brown Environmental Leadership Labs

Location: 

• Southern New England: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, Dartmouth, Massachusetts and various field trip sites.

• Eastern Sierras: Participants will fly in and out of Reno, Nevada, then travel to Mammoth Lakes, California and various field trip locations. 

• Alaska: Anchorage, Peterson Bay Field Station near Homer.

Cost: 

• Rhode Island: $5,716 

• Eastern Sierras: $6,958

• Alaska: $6,958

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Program Dates: 

• Rhode Island: July 7 - 19, 2024

• Eastern Sierras: July 25, 2024 - August 4, 2024

• Alaska: July 14 - 27, 2024

Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and college freshmen aged 16-18 can apply.

Brown University offers immersive environmental science summer programs for high school students in Rhode Island, California, and Alaska. Each Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL) program emphasizes leadership, social responsibility, and deep exploration of environmental studies and ecology through group projects, readings, discussions, and workshops. Each location offers a unique focus. BELL: Rhode Island centers on climate change, environmental justice, and urban resilience, featuring site visits and an overnight camping trip. BELL: Alaska delves into Alaska's indigenous history, arctic, marine, and land ecosystems, with activities like exploring the Matanuska Glacier and staying in an off-grid yurt. BELL: Eastern Sierras focuses on climate change and resilience, offering outdoor labs and field studies at Mono Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, and the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab.

8. SEA Pre-College: Ocean Sciences in Woods Hole

Location: SEA Campus, Woods Hole, MA.

Cost: $5,750.

Application Deadline: 

• Early applications deadline: January 

• Final deadline: March 

Program Dates: 

• Session 1: June 24, 2024 - July 13, 2024

• Session 2: July 22, 2024 - August 10, 2024

Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply.

At SEA’s Cape Cod campus in Massachusetts, high school students dive into advanced topics in environmental science, marine biology, and oceanography under the mentorship of experienced scientists. This intensive program offers daily classes covering diverse subjects, from seawater chemistry and plate tectonics to marine policy. Students engage in hands-on lab work, in-depth lectures, and independent research projects, gaining practical experience in oceanographic research methods. The program also emphasizes communication, critical thinking, and leadership development. Field trips to renowned institutions like the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Woodwell Climate Research Center, and the Marine Biological Lab further enrich the experience. Evenings and weekends are filled with recreational activities, including sports, music, hiking, and beach outings.

9. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program - Ecology/Earth Science/Environmental Policy Track

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.

Cost: 

• Residential: $11,874

• Commuter: $4,975 

Application Deadline: March. 

Program Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 2, 2024

Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11 with a minimum GPA of 3.8 can apply.

The Research Mentorship Program offers a competitive summer experience for students eager to engage in college-level research. Participants choose from a wide range of disciplines, gaining hands-on experience in research methodologies, enhancing their professional writing skills, and presenting their findings at formal conferences. For students interested in environmental science, the program features specializations in Earth Science, Ecology, and Environmental Policy, with dedicated mentors guiding them through the research process. Additionally, students can earn university credits, which will be recorded as part of their academic history at UCSB. 

10. Linking Individuals to their Natural Community (LINC)

Location: Marin County, CA or San Francisco, CA.

Stipend: $2,300

Application Deadline: March.

Program Dates: June 18, 2024 - August 2, 2024 

Eligibility: High school students enrolled in one of these high schools can apply.

LINC, managed by the Park Conservancy, offers a six-week environmental science internship designed for Bay Area high school students. This program emphasizes community building, service learning, and exploration of local parklands through a variety of outdoor activities. Participants engage in hands-on projects like trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and community cleanups. The program also includes workshops on resume building, mock interviews, and networking with park professionals. Additionally, students enjoy activities such as wildlife observation, ropes courses, kayaking, field games, and an overnight camping experience in a national park.

If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI! 

Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!

Image Source - Horizon Logo