Middle school students from Boston looking to pursue marine biology can opt for a summer program. With a rigorous curriculum, these programs offer you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of marine biology. Distinguished industry professionals and faculty provide guidance regarding academic and career pathways. Thus, summer programs can be a solid option for you to start working towards a career of your choice. 

During these programs, you interact with and work alongside peers from diverse backgrounds who become part of your network. Through collaborative projects, you develop teamwork and other field-specific skills. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of marine biology programs in Boston that you can pursue.

1. Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Dates: 8 weeks, varies by cohort

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8

To learn about marine biology and conduct research in the subject, you can opt for Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program. The program pairs you with PhD mentors from various prestigious universities, like Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton, who are experts in marine biology and related subjects. The hands-on research activities enable you to gain specialized knowledge in the subject. Throughout the program, you learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study, which enables you to build crucial skills as you work on your research. The program also helps develop scientific communication skills through feedback and writing coaching sessions. You can opt for the Junior Research and Publication Program, where you can publish your research in academic journals.

2. Boston Leadership Institute’s Marine Biology 

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 – 20

Location: Regis College, Weston, MA

Cost: $699; limited scholarships are available

Dates: July 13 – 17 (Session 1) or July 20 – 24

Application Deadline: On a rolling basis

Eligibility: Rising 6th – 9th graders

This marine biology program lasts for one week in the summer. You gain foundational knowledge of the biology and ecology of marine ecosystems, especially the methods that scientists use to study marine habitats. In previous years, students have measured the impact of ocean temperature and ocean acidity on the growth of seaweed and marine animals. You work on a marine biology project that must be completed by the end of the week. The program may also involve field trips to Boston Harbor Islands, a Salt Marsh or Sandy Beach study.

3. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies; financial aid available

Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.

Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8

Students interested in interdisciplinary learning that blends marine biology with technology can participate in Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program. The program teaches you the fundamentals of AI and machine learning at the start. This theoretical instruction covers numerous topics including Python, data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You then apply your learnings to complete a project. This project must solve a real-world marine biology problem through technology. Past students have built a machine-learning model to classify music genres and a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.

4. Brooks Summer Term

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 per class

Location: Brooks School, North Andover, MA

Cost: Ranges from $750 per week – $937.50 per week

Dates: June 22 – July 1, July 6 – 17, July 20 – 31, or August 3 – 7

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 11

If you want to dip your toes into various interconnected subjects, you can participate in the Brooks Summer Term. The Bio-Design Lab, Field Studies in New England Ecology, and Mad Science: Exploring & Learning Through Experiments tracks are pathways that lead you to marine biology. In the Bio-Design Lab, you study biology with engineering to solve problems in the natural world. Similarly, the Mad Science track takes a broader approach to various science topics through experiments and projects. In the Field Studies track, you study ecology and environmental management by exploring the Brooks School wooded trails, wetlands, and Lake Cochichewick as a living laboratory. In addition, you can also partake in creative activities during the afternoon session.

5. Waquoit Bay Summer Science School

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Waquoit Bay Summer Science School, MA

Cost: $400 per week

Dates: July 20 – 24

Application Deadline: To be announced

Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th graders

Students can learn about coastal ecology through this summer school. You can participate in various week-long programs to delve into marine science. Middle schoolers study unique estuary animals. To understand marine biology, you conduct animal investigations and learn its life cycle, population challenges and local research. You also engage with conservation challenges and recreate their adaptions through biomimicry. Thus, through activities, games, and nature walks, you cultivate your interest in marine biology.

6. Children’s School of Science

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Location: Woods Hole, MA

Cost: $440 for a 3-week session; scholarships are available

Dates: June 29 – July 17 (Session A) or July 20 – August 6 (Session B)

Application Deadline: On a rolling basis

Eligibility: Students aged 7 – 16

Here, you develop a passion for science through hands-on learning. Students go on field trips and complete projects to enhance their learning. The curriculum covers various subjects like Seashore Life, Nature Photography, Entomology, Marine Biology, Oceanography, Biological Illustration, Embryology, Herpetology, Botany, and more. Students interested in marine biology can opt for the track to learn about the complex biology and geology of Cape Cod. You sharpen your observational and critical thinking skills. 

7. Coastal Ocean Science Academy

Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20

Location: Northeastern’s Marine Science Center, Nahant, MA

Cost: $600; scholarships are available

Dates: July 20 – 24

Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8

This is a marine and environmental science program for middle schoolers. You study local coastal habitats and ecology. Studying in Nahant, you explore the rocky shoreline and tidepools and visit coastal habitat field sites. You also tour the lab facilities and interact with students and scientists. The program for middle schoolers teaches you to keep a field notebook and take basic measurements of weather, water quality, and biodiversity.

8. Girls Science + Nature Camp

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified

Location: Penikese Island, MA

Cost: $1,500; scholarships are available

Dates: Multiple week-long sessions running from early July to mid-August

Application Deadline: Open enrollment

Eligibility: Girls entering 7th and 8th grade

This program for gender-expansive youth enables them to explore STEM subjects, especially in science. During the week, students stay on the Pekinese Island where they study the natural world. Visiting scientists and artists lead hands-on activities and artistic endeavours in a range of topics, such as marine biology, shellfish aquaculture, bird nesting habitats and behaviors, electronics and robotics, microscopy, oceanography, landscape painting, scientific illustration, and squid & fish dissections. The program provides interaction opportunities with female scientists. You also explore the island’s landscape away from the digital world. Besides scientific learning, you step out of your comfort zone and gain confidence with regards to scientific exploration. 

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.