§ Environmental Science

Environmental Science programs for high schoolers.

70 programs indexed in environmental science. 55 are free or pay a stipend. 23 prioritize under-resourced or underrepresented students. This page updates whenever we add a new environmental science program.

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All environmental science programs

Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program
ANSEP Acceleration High School
Free year-round STEM acceleration for Alaska Native students.
📍 AK⏱ School year + summer📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Arizona State University
ASU SCENE
Free science club + research opportunities for AZ high schoolers, with focus on first-gen students.
📍 AZ⏱ Year-round📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Auburn University
Auburn Summer Science Institute
Hands-on STEM research at Auburn — Alabama residents prioritized; in-state tuition aid available.
📍 AL⏱ 1 week (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
Annual creative contest for teens combining art, writing, film, and music with environmental advocacy.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Spring🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
CEI
Caretakers of the Environment International
Annual international youth conference on environmental research and projects.
📍 Varies (International)⏱ 1 week📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Clemson University
Clemson CAFLS Summer Program (SPECTRA)
A residential program for diverse students to explore agriculture and natural resource careers at Clemson.
📍 Clemson, SC⏱ 1 week📅 April 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of California
COSMOS
UC residential STEM program. Need-based fee waivers cover full cost for qualifying families.
📍 CA⏱ 4 weeks (summer)📅 Early February🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE STEM Rising / SCEP
Paid internships across the 17 DOE national laboratories.
📍 Multiple national labs (nationwide eligibility)⏱ 8-10 weeks (summer)📅 January🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Doris Duke Conservation Scholars
Conservation leadership program (college focus; high school feeder workshops at partner universities).
📍 Multiple cities⏱ 8 weeks📅 Winter🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
EarthEcho International
EarthEcho Water Challenge
Global citizen-science program monitoring local water quality with thousands of student volunteers.
📍 Global⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
NCF-Envirothon
Envirothon
North America's largest high school environmental education competition.
📍 North America⏱ 1 week📅 Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
US EPA
EPA Citizen Science Programs
Hands-on environmental citizen science projects for students.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
US EPA
EPA P3 Student Design Competition
Sustainability design competition (mostly college, some K-12 partner tracks).
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Fall🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Georgia / GOSA
Georgia GHP - Agriscience Research
A residential summer academy for Georgia students focusing on agricultural and environmental sciences through hands-on research.
📍 Athens, GA⏱ 2 weeks📅 May 1🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
National Park Service
Get Paid and Gain Experience: Opportunities to work with us
Find opportunities to work with us, including paid internships.
📍 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
The Climate Reality Project
Global Youth Climate Network
International youth climate leadership and action network.
📍 Global📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NASA / University of Toledo
GLOBE Mission EARTH (GME)
A year-long club-based program where students engage in data-driven environmental justice projects and present to scientists.
📍 Online / Various⏱ Year-round📅 October 31🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Grassroots Ecology
Grassroots Ecology Youth Internships
Paid summer employment for high schoolers working on habitat restoration in San Jose area parks.
📍 San Jose, CA/South Bay⏱ 6-8 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
American Fisheries Society
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Paid mentorship for high school students interested in fisheries science.
📍 Multiple states⏱ 8 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Imi Hoʻōla Pathway / UH Manoa SHARE
Free research program for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students.
📍 HI⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Student Conservation Association (SCA)
Individual Placements
Conservation opportunities for a variety of fields.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
iGeo
International Geography Olympiad
International geography olympiad with written, multimedia, and fieldwork tests.
📍 Rotates by host country📅 National selection Spring🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
Iowa State University
ISU Freshman-Sophomore Research Initiative
STEM research at Iowa State. In-state scholarships available.
📍 IA⏱ 2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Moderate
JEI (Harvard)
Journal of Emerging Investigators
Free peer-reviewed publication venue for middle/high school STEM research. Real PhD reviewers.
📍 Remote (nationwide)⏱ Self-paced📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Kentucky Extension
Kentucky Forest Leadership Program
An outdoor learning experience focusing on forestry, wildlife, and natural resource management in Kentucky.
📍 Jackson, KY⏱ 1 week📅 May 1🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Louisiana State University
LSU HSSR (High School Summer Research)
Paid research at LSU for Louisiana students.
📍 LA⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Matter of Trust
Matter of Trust Citizen Science
Free citizen-science volunteer projects in oil-spill remediation and sustainability.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Flexible📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Mississippi Department of Education
Mississippi FFA Association
A leadership and career development organization focused on agricultural education for students in Mississippi.
📍 Mississippi State, MS⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Montana State University
Montana Apprenticeship Program (MAP)
Paid research apprenticeships at MSU for Montana Native American students.
📍 MT⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Michigan State University
MSU High School Honors Science Program
Research immersion at MSU labs. Aid available for Michigan students.
📍 MI⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Highly Selective
Michigan State University
MSU School of Planning, Design & Construction Academy
High school program focusing on sustainable landscape design and urban ecology at Michigan State.
📍 East Lansing, MI⏱ 1 week📅 March 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
NASA
NASA Citizen Science
Dozens of free NASA citizen-science projects. Your contributions co-author published papers.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NASA / UT Austin
NASA SEES Internship
Earth and space science research mentored by NASA scientists.
📍 TX / Remote (nationwide eligibility)⏱ Virtual spring + 2-week onsite📅 February🎓 Grades 10–11
Selective
University of Texas / NASA
NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES)
Free virtual + onsite NASA research internship for HS students.
📍 Austin, TX⏱ 8 weeks📅 February🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
NASA / Future Engineers
NASA TechRise Student Challenge
Teams design space-bound experiments. Winners receive USD 1500 and their payload flies on a high-altitude balloon.
📍 Online⏱ School year📅 November🎓 Grades 6–12
Selective
NCF-Envirothon / Canon U.S.A.
National Envirothon (NFC-Envirothon)
A national environmental science competition where students study forestry, wildlife, and aquatic ecology on-site.
📍 Various Locations (Rotate Annually)⏱ 3 days📅 April 15🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National Geographic
National Geographic Slingshot Challenge
Annual video competition for ages 13-18 on environmental solutions with cash prizes.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Winter🎓 Grades 7–12
Selective
National Center for Atmospheric Research
NCAR Atmospheric Research Internship
Paid climate/atmospheric science research in Boulder.
📍 CO⏱ 10 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
NOAA
NOAA Hollings Scholarship
Undergraduate scholarship + paid summer internship at NOAA (apply 2nd year of college; pipeline awareness for HS).
📍 Multiple sites⏱ Multi-year📅 January🎓 Grade 12
Selective
NOAA
NOAA Hollings Scholarship Outreach
Various NOAA student programs and high school outreach opportunities in ocean, weather, and climate science.
📍 United States⏱ Varies📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
Ocean Awareness Contest
International student contest in visual art, film, writing, and music addressing ocean conservation.
📍 Global📅 June🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
One Young World
One Young World Summit
Global summit for young leaders working on social impact and sustainability.
📍 Rotates by host country⏱ 1 week📅 Varies🎓 Grade 12
Moderate
Oregon State University
Oregon State Environmental Science Internship
A program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in environmental research and data science.
📍 Corvallis, OR⏱ 6 weeks📅 March 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Society for Science
Regeneron ISEF
The largest international pre-college science fair. Qualify through an affiliated regional or state fair. Travel and lodging covered for finalists.
📍 Rotating US city⏱ 1 week📅 Regional Jan-Mar🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Jane Goodall Institute
Roots & Shoots
Youth-led community action for people, animals, environment.
📍 Multiple states⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 1–12
Selective
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI)
Free college-prep and research program for rural Alaska Native and rural Alaska students.
📍 AK⏱ 6 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad
Team-based STEM competition with 23 events spanning earth science, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. Regional through national rounds.
📍 School team + regional⏱ School year📅 Aug-May season🎓 Grades 6–12
Moderate
Sierra Club ICO
Sierra Club Inspiring Connections Outdoors
Outdoor leadership and conservation volunteer service.
📍 Multiple cities⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Sierra Club
Sierra Student Coalition
Youth-led grassroots environmental network with trainings, fellowships, and campaigns.
📍 United States⏱ Year-long📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Stockholm International Water Institute
Stockholm Junior Water Prize
International youth water-research prize awarded during World Water Week in Stockholm.
📍 Stockholm, Sweden (national rounds worldwide)📅 National rounds Spring🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Student Conservation Association (SCA)
Superior & Chippewa National Forests Program
Hands-on wilderness and developed recreation programs for young adults in Minnesota’s legendary forests, lakes, and wetlands.
📍 Minnesota, US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider Youth Volunteer
Coastal cleanup and ocean advocacy chapters across US.
📍 Coastal states⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The Earth Foundation
The Earth Prize
Global environmental sustainability competition with $200k in prizes for student teams.
📍 Global📅 January🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
San Francisco State University
The Great Sunflower Project (Citizen Science)
A massive collaborative project where students collect soil samples and perform data analysis for ecological research. Hybrid model.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Ongoing📅 Early March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
The NSHSS Foundation
The NSHSS Foundation
Fosters the growth of students pursuing the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), business, economics, public policy, and environmental science and sustainability fields. Connects young scholars with additional opportunities to advance their education, personal growth and career interests.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Student Conservation Association (SCA)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Program
Protect our nation’s waterways, lakes, and campgrounds through wildlife surveys and water safety.
📍 US🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
Consortium for Ocean Leadership / NCF-Envirothon
U.S. National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) / Envirothon
The world's largest Earth Science competition where teams solve challenges in geology, meteorology, and oceanography.
📍 Nationwide⏱ Year-round📅 Rolling (Feb-April)🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Arizona
UA KEYS Research Internship
Paid bioscience research at the UA — Arizona students only.
📍 AZ⏱ 7 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment
UD Marine Science Summer Camp (Advanced Track)
High school students conduct marine science and oceanography experiments at the University of Delaware's coastal campus.
📍 Lewes, DE⏱ 1 week📅 February 15🎓 Grades 10–12
Highly Selective
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
UNL Young Nebraska Scientists
Free STEM camps at UNL for Nebraska students.
📍 NE⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
University of Oregon / Saturday Academy
UO Saturday Academy ASE
Paid 1:1 research apprenticeships across Oregon. Strong equity focus.
📍 OR⏱ 8 weeks (summer)📅 February🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin High School Research Academy
Course-based research at UT Austin. Need-based aid.
📍 TX⏱ 5 weeks (summer)📅 April🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Vermont
UVM Summer Academy
Pre-college academic programs at UVM. Need-based scholarships.
📍 VT⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 May🎓 Grades 10–12
Moderate
University of Washington Bothell
UW Bothell Research Experiences
Local UW Bothell faculty research opportunities — great for North Seattle students.
📍 WA⏱ Variable📅 Rolling🎓 Grades 10–12
Selective
University of Wyoming
UWyo High School Institute
Free residential STEM camps at UWyo for Wyoming students.
📍 WY⏱ 1-2 weeks (summer)📅 March🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
National Park Service
Work With Us (for Youth and Young Adults)
Discover jobs, paid internships, and volunteer opportunities with the National Park Service.
📍 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
UC Davis
Young Scholars Program (YSP)
A high-level research internship where students work in labs at UC Davis on environmental and biological projects.
📍 Davis, CA⏱ 8 weeks📅 February 15🎓 Grades 11–12
Selective
Various
Youth Climate Leaders
Free youth climate summits and competitions. Project-based environmental advocacy.
📍 Online + regional⏱ Self-paced📅 Varies🎓 Grades 9–12
Selective
National Park Service
Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
A summer employment program that engages young people in meaningful work projects on public lands.
📍 Nationwide⏱ 8-10 weeks📅 Mid-April🎓 Grades 9–12
Moderate
Zooniverse
Zooniverse Citizen Science
Free crowdsourced research platform. Contribute to active university research projects in any field from your laptop.
📍 Online⏱ Self-paced📅 Anytime🎓 Grades 9–12
Highly Selective

Environmental Science programs for high schoolers.

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