Ocean STEAM Powered (O-STEAM) Fellowship - All are welcome!

This fellowship is open to students of all backgrounds and identities. The residential program will run in two gender-based cohorts.

 

Important Dates

Applications are due by March 20, 2026

Fellowship dates:

Week 1: August 2 - August 8, 2026* 

Week 2: August 9 - August 15, 2026*

*When you apply make sure you are available for both weeks, as you will be assigned a week.

 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Sea Grant is now accepting applications for the Ocean STEAM Powered (O-STEAM) Fellowship, a week-long, residential fellowship in Woods Hole offered at no cost to Massachusetts high school sophomores and juniors. We are pleased to announce that we will run 2 weeks of O-STEAM in 2026!

Fellows are housed on the beautiful Sea Education Association campus during the fellowship, with easy access to the nearby WHOI facilities. During the week, fellows work with WHOI Sea Grant Education Specialist Grace Simpkins, WHOI researchers, and program assistants to dive deep into ocean research while also meeting other Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals and learning from their collective expertise. The immersive experience seeks to expose the participants to a wide range of marine careers, involve them in research, and help them form meaningful connections with scientists, educators, and fellow students. Activities during the week include building their own underwater microphone (or hydrophone), testing their hydrophone by towing it while kayaking (weather dependent), sound analysis of dolphin vocalizations, participating in shipboard oceanographic techniques, water quality testing, constructing and deploying an ocean drifter, going on a whale watch expedition to observe marine mammals (weather dependent), and more.  Fellows will also learn from communications specialists about how to share their research and experiences with their community.

Who is eligible?

We welcome ALL students who are:

• Current residents of and students in Massachusetts, and
• Current high school sophomores and juniors (as of March 2026)

All levels of interest and experience are welcome.

When will it be held?

August 2 - August 8*

August 9 - August 15*

*When you apply make sure you are available for both weeks, as you will be assigned a week.

Free Opportunity

There is no cost to participate in this program. Housing, meals, and all program activities are fully covered. 

Expanding Access to Ocean Sciences

We are committed to creating a welcoming and dynamic learning environment that brings together and values a variety of perspectives and life experiences. O-STEAM was designed to expand access to ocean sciences by encouraging students who may not otherwise have opportunities to participate in hands-on research and fieldwork. Participants are selected based on interest, curiosity, and potential, and all applicants are given equal consideration.

IMPORTANT - Read Before Applying

We recommend printing or saving a copy of the application PDF so you can prepare your responses in advance. Writing your answers in a word processor such as Word or Google Docs will allow you to spellcheck and edit your 300-word essays before submitting them.

If you would like help with your application, please contact Grace Simpkins at gsimpkins@whoi.edu. A WHOI student can be assigned to support you through the application process.

A recommendation from an adult who is not a relative is required for your application to be considered. This recommendation may come from a teacher, coach, mentor, instructor of an extracurricular program, or group leader who knows you well. Be sure to ask whether a recommender is available to write a recommendation before completing your application.  YOU are responsible for asking your recommender to send a letter (pdf please) to Grace Simpkins, gsimpkins@whoi.edu, by March 20th.