Summer Programs for Children and Young Adults

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

WHOI Sea Grant (WHOI SG) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are excited to collaborate with Sea Education Association on the Ocean STEAM Powered Women (O-STEAM) Fellowship, a competitive, week-long, no-cost, residential fellowship in Woods Hole for a cohort of young women from Massachusetts currently in their sophomore or junior year of high school.

Fellows are housed on the beautiful Sea Education Association campus during this week-long, summer fellowship, with easy access to the nearby WHOI facilities.  During their week, fellows work with WHOI Research Specialist Laela Sayigh, WHOI SG Education Specialist Grace Simpkins, Program Assistants, and others to investigate marine mammal bioacoustics (sounds) while also meeting other female Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals and learning from their collective expertise. The immersive experience includes building and testing their own underwater microphone (or hydrophone), analyzing data of dolphin vocalizations from the resident population in Sarasota, Florida to aid in conservation efforts, and capturing the underwater sounds of whales and dolphins vocalizing during a whale watch expedition.  Fellows will learn from communications specialists about how to share their research and experiences with their community.

This fellowship encourages applicants from groups historically underrepresented in the ocean sciences – especially with respect to gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. We welcome students who are interested in being in a female -identified space.

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 4TH, 2024.

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.

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.

This summer there will be sessions running from July 1-July 19 and July 22-August 8.  There are a range of topics and examples include seashore life, animal behavior, seaweeds, ornithology, ichthyology, field geology, film photography, earth science, oceanography, microbial life, robotics/ROV, biological illustration, and more. Visit their website for a complete schedule and course descriptions.

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 16 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 24-August 16.

Camp Mariner is designed specifically for the youngest campers (aged 5-7), Camp SEAfarer is aimed at campers aged 8-14, with sports, arts, and enrichment activities, Skills Clinics are offered for Soccer, Basketball, and Lacrosse, drama enthusiasts can participate in Drama, Musical Theater, and Technical Theater, musicians are offered Jazz, Rock, and Strings, and Academic Intensive is offered for those looking to strengthen their math, reading, and writing skills.

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

Mr. Charlie Jodoin, Director of Auxiliary Programs
Falmouth Academy
Email: cjodoin@falmouthacademy.org

Science + Nature Summer Camps for Girls, Penikese Island School

Sea Education Association, Woods Hole

SEASCape: Ocean Studies on the Cape 

A two-and-a-half-week summer program at Sea Education Association providing current high school students the opportunity to explore coastal and offshore marine environments around Cape Cod, both scientifically and culturally.

Divided into two major themes, “Introduction to Oceanography” and “Oceans and Society,” students participating in SEASCape will not only conduct fieldwork throughout Cape Cod’s diverse environment but will also explore the rich heritage of Cape Cod as a center for global maritime trade, commercial fisheries, shipbuilding, and naval operations. Through daily weekday lectures and discussions, laboratory activities, field trips, and group projects, students are immersed into a hands-on learning experience strengthening their understanding of marine issues, the value of community, and leadership skills. 

Session I:  June 24-July 12, Session II:  July 22-August 9.

For more information, please visit https://sea.edu/program-list/seascape-sea-science-on-the-cape/

SEA Expedition

SEA Expedition is a two-week offshore summer program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as recent high school graduates.

Immersed into the daily life of SEA’s SSV Corwith Cramer, SEA Expedition provides students the opportunity to participate in every aspect of a challenging offshore sailing and oceanographic expedition. While sailing around the nearshore and offshore waters of Cape Cod and New England, students will gain skills navigations and sail handling while also conducting scientific deployments. Past SEA Expedition voyages have explored Cape Cod Bay, Stellwagon Bank National Marine Sanctuary, the Gulf of Maine, and George’s Bank (at the edge of the continental shelf).

Session 1: June 29-July 10, Session 2:  July 14-July 25, Session 3:  July 31-August 11, Session 4:  August 15-August 26.

For more information, please visit:  https://sea.edu/program-list/sea-expedition/

SEA Pre-College: Ocean Sciences in Woods Hole

An academically rigorous three-week program for rising juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates interested in pursuing oceanography, marine biology, environmental science, or other related disciplines at the undergraduate level.

SEA’s Pre-College: Ocean Sciences is designed as a college level seminar led by SEA’s PhD-level scientists. While learning advanced oceanographic lab and field research techniques, students participating in this program can expect to deepen their understanding of environmental issues and ocean topics such as coastal ecology, climate change mitigation, ocean-climate dynamics, and marine biology.  

Session I:  June 24-July 13, Session II:  July 22-August 10.

For more information, please visit:  https://sea.edu/program-list/sea-pre-college-ocean-sciences-in-woods-hole/

SEA Quest 2024:  Critters, Coral, and Conservation - Virtual

This summer, high school students interested in the world of ocean studies don’t have to travel to the oceanographic research hub of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. It’s coming to them. After a successful launch in 2020, Sea Education Association (SEA) is once again offering SEA Quest, an online program designed for high school students from around country – and the world – who share a passion for ocean science, want to make a difference through ocean conservation, and prepare for college at the same time. The program draws on leading experts in oceanography, marine ecology, maritime history, and nautical science. Students will meet virtually once a day, for three weeks.

For more information, please visit:  https://sea.edu/program-list/sea-quest/

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 – Half day sessions. Students entering grades 2-3 will get wet, muddy and inspired while exploring the habitats and wildlife around Waquoit Bay through games, crafts, and scientific investigations. Three sessions: July 15-19 am or pm and August 5-9.

Estuary Adventures – Full day sessions. Students entering grades 4-6 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 8-12 and July 22-26.

Marine Life Investigations – Full day session. Students entering grades 6-8.  Each day we will take an in-depth look at an animal species found in the estuary.  Through observation we will learn its traits and adaptations. We will study its life cycle, population and research that has been done at Waquoit or on the Cape. We will have fun recreating some adaptations through biomimicry and use games as well as art to discover more about our animal. One session: August 12-16

Women in Science Program - Full day session. Young women entering grades 7-9 will receive inspiration and support as they meet women scientists who will describe their career paths and projects. Students will conduct field research alongside WBNERR staff and visiting scientists, and use a variety of instruments and technologies to gather and record data from the marshes, fields, forests, and waters of Waquoit Bay Reserve. A highlight of this session will be the boat trip to Washburn Island and overnight on Reserve property, where the students will leave their cell phones behind as they explore local ecology and hike the trails. One session: July 29-August 2.

Teen Program: TIDAL QUEST – Teens Investigating Diversity of Aquatic Life Students entering grades 9-12. Jo 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 5-9.

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

4-Day, Half-Day Programs @ The Shark Center Chatham – Half day sessions for students entering grades 3-6. Max of 12 students. Their program will introduce participants to shark biology through hands-on labs and investigations. Investigations include: mock tagging demonstration, shark art projects, engineering challenges, and a spiny dogfish shark dissection. Participants will be working on labs and activities indoors and will have outdoor time for energizers and games. Two sessions:  July 22-25 and August 12-15.

Shark STEM Workshops @ The Shark Center Chatham - Full day workshop for students entering grades 2-6. Max of 10 students. AWSC’s Shark STEM Workshop Program will introduce participants to shark biology through hands-on labs and investigations. Investigations include: mock tagging demonstration, identifying shark teeth, engineering challenges, and a shark anatomy lab. Participants will be working on labs and activities indoors and will have outdoor time for energizers and games. Time will be set aside for lunch and a snack. Five workshops offered: July 3, July 17, July 31, August 21, and August 28.

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