Summer Programs for Children and Young Adults

Please note: The only summer youth program that WHOI Sea Grant and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution lead is O-STEAM. As a resource, this page also lists other local organizations that offer summer programs for children and young adults. Please contact the individual programs directly for details on their offerings.

Ocean STEAM Powered Fellowship (O-STEAM), Woods Hole

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

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.

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.

This fellowship seeks to expand access to ocean sciences by encouraging applications from individuals who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in research and fieldwork. Participants are selected based on interest, curiosity, and potential, and all applicants are given equal consideration.

Applications are open until March 20th.

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.

Click here for more information

Contact: Grace Simpkins, gsimpkins@whoi.edu

Please note: The following local organizations offer summer programs for children and young adults. Please contact the individual programs directly for details on their offerings. These are usually updated in January/February for the upcoming year but most are very similar year to year.

Children’s School of Science, Woods Hole

The Children’s School of Science encourages a love and appreciation of science through inquiry-based learning. Frequent field trips and hands-on classroom study provide the opportunity to explore nature, become adept at observation, and discover the rules that govern natural processes. Students benefit from the renowned scientific institutions in Woods Hole and the unique living classroom created by the complex biology and geology of Cape Cod. They typically offer courses to students aged 7 to 16. Courses are organized into two three-week sessions. Session A runs from June 29 to July 17, and Session B runs from July 20 to August 6. Classes meet daily, Monday through Friday, for an hour and 45 minutes.

This summer there will be sessions running from June 29-July 17 and July 20-August 6. There are a range of topics and examples include seashore life, animal behavior, seaweeds, ornithology, ichthyology, robotics, coastal processes & protection, Gulf Stream orphans, and more. Visit their website for a complete schedule and course descriptions.

Online registration opens on Monday, February 9th at 8 pm ET. For more information and registration, please visit: http://childrensschoolofscience.org/

Children’s School of Science
P.O. Box 522
Woods Hole, MA 02543
(508) 548-3603

Falmouth Academy Summer, Falmouth

Falmouth Academy Summer offers eight weeks of summer camp to ages 5 through 14 with programs for those interested in the arts, athletics, language, science & technology, sports, and outdoor adventure. Summer Programs are offered morning, afternoon, and full-day from June 22-August 14.

Camp Mariner guides 5- and 6-year-olds through playful days full of creativity, laughter, and discovery.

Camp Seafarer has been redesigned for energetic, curious campers ages 7-9!

Camp Navigator is is tailor made for adventurous, independent campers ages 10 to 14!

For more information and registration, please visit https://www.falmouthacademy.org/summer/welcome

Director - Tim Seston
Falmouth Academy
Email: fasummer@falmouthacademy.org

Science + Nature Summer Camps for Girls, Penikese Island School

The overarching goal of their educational programming is to get students out into nature. Penikese Island provides the perfect setting for fostering environmental literacy and stewardship. They hope to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards who will value, cherish, and protect the natural world. Their programming aims to expand scientific literacy, inspire curiosity and creativity, and build appreciation and understanding of the wider world and the need for a sustainable and ecologically balanced future.

Penikese Island School is holding 5 sessions of STEAM summer camp for girls and gender-expansive youth entering 7th and 8th grade. Five-day/four-night camps are held on historic Penikese Island, a beautiful, undeveloped 76-acre sanctuary and outdoor classroom. Penikese is located in Buzzards Bay at the west end of the Elizabeth Islands, with travel provided from Woods Hole aboard a USCG inspected vessel. Campers have an island of their own to explore and discover while living comfortably off-the-grid with camp staff in a charming rustic farmhouse. Hands-on science and nature lessons are provided by leading local researchers and artists. Focus is on science and natural history through the lens of a unique island environment and its wildlife. Scholarships are available. Enrollment is limited to 12 campers per session. Summer sessions are: July 6-10, July 13-17, July 20-24, July 27-July 31, and August 3-August 7.

Registration is open February 2-27. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.penikese.org/camp

Contact: camp@penikese.org

Sea Education Association, Woods Hole

High School and Pre-College Programs

Ocean Studies on the Cape

Explore the ocean through science, history, culture, and policy during 2.5 weeks in Woods Hole.

Session I: June 22-July 9, Session II: July 13-July 30.

For more information, please visit https://sea.edu/program/high-school-and-pre-college/ocean-studies-on-cape-cod/

SEA Expedition

SEA Expedition - spend two weeks as crew aboard SSV Corwith Cramer, sailing Cape Cod Bay, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, and the Gulf of Maine. This summer program for rising high school sophomores through recent graduates.

Session 1: June 14-June 25, Session 2: June 30-July 11, Session 3: July 16-July 27, Session 4: August 3-August 14.

For more information, please visit: https://sea.edu/program/high-school-and-pre-college/sea-expedition/

Pre-College: Marine Biology

Study ocean life from plankton to marine ecosystems during three weeks of academically rigorous, college-level coursework in Woods Hole, taught by PhD-level scientists. Designed for rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates interested in pursuing marine biology, environmental science, or related disciplines at the undergraduate level, this program combines lab and field research on Cape Cod

Session: August 4-August 21.

For more information, please visit: https://sea.edu/program/high-school-and-pre-college/pre-college-marine-biology/

Pre-College: Oceanography

Investigate how physics, chemistry, biology, and geology shape the ocean during three weeks of academically rigorous, college-level coursework in Woods Hole, taught by PhD-level scientists. Designed for rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates interested in pursuing oceanography, environmental science, or related disciplines at the undergraduate level, this program combines field sampling and lab analysis on Cape Cod.

Session 1: June 22-July 9, Session 2: July 13-July 30

For more information, please visit: https://sea.edu/program/high-school-and-pre-college/pre-college-oceanography/

Information about all of SEA's programming, including undergraduate, can be found at: https://www.sea.edu/

Waquoit Bay Summer Science School, Falmouth

A series of week-long learning adventures, Summer Science School at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve introduces kids and teens to coastal ecology while having fun and fostering new friendships.

Bayside Buddies – Grades 2-3. Children will get wet, muddy, and inspired through games, art, and basic scientific investigations. They will explore nature in various habitats around Waquoit Bay including forest, field, and marshes. The students will study wildlife from crabs in the bay to Osprey on our nesting platform, starting their journey to become estuary stewards. Two sessions: July 13-17 full day and August 3-7 half day.

Estuary Adventures – Grades 4-5. Full day sessions. Young scientists will conduct hands-on investigations based on research projects at the Reserve from water quality of the bay to wildlife observations. They will learn to use a variety of instruments to help with their discoveries and play games relating to the estuary. Students will wade into the marshes to find estuary creatures and learn about the wildlife around Waquoit Bay. Two sessions: July 6-10 and July 27-July 31.

Marine Life Investigations – Grades 6-8. Full day session. Each day they will take an in-depth look at an animal species found in the estuary. Through observation they will learn its traits and adaptations. They will study its life cycle, population and research that has been done at Waquoit or on the Cape. They will have fun recreating some adaptations through biomimicry and use games as well as art to discover more about our animal. One session: July 20-24

Women in Science Program - Graces 6-8. Full day session. Students will receive inspiration and support as they meet women scientists who will describe their career paths and research projects. They will conduct field research in the estuary as well as engineering and art projects relating to the Reserve. This hands-on session is sure to provide plenty of fun, build confidence, and offer a look at potential careers in science, technology, and engineering. One session: August 10-August 14.

Teen Program: TIDAL QUEST – Teens Investigating Diversity of Aquatic Life Students entering grades 9-12. Do you love science, technology, and figuring out how things work? Join a small team of students spending a week in the field while conducting environmental monitoring projects with Waquoit Bay Reserve scientists. Students will discover the latest technologies used locally to study climate change and sea level rise, monitor wildlife, and examine plant communities. They will look for ways to solve environmental issues and developing questions to investigate. Participation in this session may help determine a career path or boost a college application. One session August 3-7.

Additional information is available at http://waquoitbayreserve.org/education-programs/science-school/.
Contact: waquoitbayscienceschool@gmail.com.

Co-Sponsored by the Waquoit Bay Reserve and the Waquoit Bay Reserve Foundation

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Youth Summer Programs, Chatham

STEM Week

Ages 8-12. Our 5-day, half-day program will introduce participants to shark anatomy and ecology through hands-on labs and lessons. Lessons include shark research demonstrations, art projects, engineering challenges, and a spiny dogfish shark dissection. Participants will be working on labs and lessons indoors and will have outdoor time for activities and games. One session: July 13-17.

For more information, please visit: https://www.atlanticwhiteshark.org/shark-summer-program

Contact: Marianne@atlanticwhiteshark.org