Summer Programs for Children and Young Adults

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.

This summer there will be sessions running from June 30-July 18 and July 21-August 7.  There are a range of topics and examples include seashore life, animal behavior, seaweeds, ornithology, ichthyology, nautical science, embryology, biological illustration, and more. Visit their website for a complete schedule and course descriptions.

Online registration opens on Tuesday, February 18th at 5 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 23-August 15.

Camp Mariner provides a traditional summer camp experience designed for fun, adventure, and discovery (aged 5-7) and Camp SEAfarer is aimed at campers aged 8-14, with sports, arts, and enrichment activities,

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

Director - Jesse Brown
Falmouth Academy
Email: fasummer@falmouthacademy.org

Science + Nature Summer Camps for Girls, Penikese Island School

Sea Education Association, Woods Hole

High School and Pre-College Programs

SEASCape: Ocean Studies on the Cape 

A two-and-a-half-week introductory program to understanding the value of ocean sciences and the blue humanities in ocean conservation.

Session I:  June 23-July 12, Session II:  July 21-August 9.

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

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.

Session 1: June 1-June 12, Session 2:  June 30-July 11, Session 3:  July 16-July 27, Session 4:  August 1-August 12.

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

SEA Expedition Pacific: Marine Robotics

A two-week STEM program designed for rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates interested in learning more about underwater robotics. This program will begin in Pasadena, California for an introductory shore component at JPL’s campus then join SEA’s SSV Robert C. Seamans in Fiji.

Session:  August 11-Ausgust 25.

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

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.

Session 1: June 23-July 12, Session 2:  July 21-August 9

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

Seaquest: Critters, Coral, and Conservation

This three-week seminar, focused on coral reefs and climate change, will use the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) in Kiribati as a case study and interdisciplinary center point, a location where our SEA ship visits regularly to contribute to information for this enormous marine protected area.

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

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 – 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 14-18 full day and August 4-8 half day.

Estuary Adventures – 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 7-11 and July 28-August 1.

Marine Life Investigations – Full day session. Students entering grades 6-8.  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 21-25

Women in Science Program - Full day session. Young women entering grades 7-9. 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 11-August 15.

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 4-8.

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 Day: Shark Biology

This program is an introduction into shark biology and anatomy through hands-on labs and lessons. Become a shark expert learning about different shark species, shark senses, life cycles, history of sharks on earth and more. Participants will be working on labs and lessons indoors and will have outdoor time for activities and games.

STEM Day: Shark Ecology

Participants will deep dive into a shark’s role in the ecosystem through hands-on labs and lessons. Learning about the impact of these predators within the ocean and their food chains. Topics include food webs, human impacts, sustainable practices, ocean zones and more. Participants will be working on labs and lessons indoors and will have outdoor time for activities and games.

**STEM days are split up by age, Tuesdays are for ages 7-10 while Thursdays are for ages 10-12. Themes rotate every week between Shark Ecology and Shark Biology programs.**

STEM Week

This 4-day, half-day programs 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.

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

Contact:  Michaela@atlanticwhiteshark.org