Passionate about sustainability, conservation, and environmental issues? These top summer programs offer hands-on research, fieldwork, and real-world experience in climate science, ecology, and environmental policy. Below are the 5 best environmental science programs for high school students.
Student interested in working on environmental science projects can check out the MehtA+ Science & Engineering Mentorship program. For a personalized list of environmental science summer programs and support with applications, check out the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program.
1. University of Chicago – Young Innovators: Climate & Energy
Type: Summer Program
Age: Applicants should be at least 15 years of age
Timeline: 5 days
Location: Residential, University of Chicago
Cost: $2,500
This one-week residential program provides talented and ambitious students a window into future careers in the realm of climate and energy policy. Through rigorous discussion-based classes, readings, lectures, and collaborative hands-on projects, students will learn about pressing issues in climate and energy from leading faculty in the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), the Becker Friedman Institute, and the Climate Impact Lab.
2. UC Santa Barbara Research Mentorship Program
Type: Summer Program
Age: Students all over the world who are in 10th and 11th grade with a minimum GPA of 3.8
Timeline: 5 weeks
Location: Residential, UC Santa Barbara
Cost: Commuter option: Around $5,000; Residential option: Around $12,000
The Research Mentorship Program is a solid option if you want to do college-level research. This summer program is highly competitive, and it provides you with the chance to select a research project in any discipline of your choice. Throughout the program, you will gain hands-on experience in conducting research, honing your professional writing skills, and presenting your findings at formal conferences.
3. University of Pennsylvania TREES Program
Type: Summer Program
Age: Students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who live in the Philadelphia area and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Timeline: 4 weeks
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
The TREES Program is a summer research and mentorship program that offers high school students the opportunity to work individually with mentors of their choice on self-designed projects. In addition to project work, you get to participate in seminars, field trips, social and cultural activities, and workshops focused on careers and college admissions. The program begins with a two-week period of hands-on instruction in basic laboratory skills, followed by an independent research project.
4. Parks Conservancy LINC Summer High School Program
Type: Paid Internship
Age: Must be enrolled in a high school
Timeline: 6 weeks
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost: Free; $2,300 stipend provided
Throughout the six-week program, students will engage in various outdoor activities such as trail work, habitat restoration, community cleanups, workshops on resume building, mock interviews, and networking with park partners. Additionally, students receive the opportunity to participate in an overnight camping trip to a national park, wildlife observation, ropes courses, kayaking, and field games. Participants receive up to $2,300 upon completion of the program.
5. Mountains to Sound Greenway YESS Program
Type: Paid Internship
Age: Must be enrolled in a high school
Timeline: Riverview: June 27 – August 5; Highline: June 27 – July 29
Location: Washington State
Cost: Free; $1,800 stipend provided
YESS (Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems) is a paid internship program for high school students enrolled in the Highline and Riverview School Districts. Students will be assigned to a restoration crew and focus on replacing invasive plant species with native Pacific Northwest plants. In addition, students will be exposed to green career paths related to natural resources, conservation, ecological restoration, and land management.
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Written by Wallyson S, MehtA+ Alum & Intern