15 Marine Biology Summer Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 17
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 19
If you are a middle school student interested in studying marine organisms, then consider a marine biology program during the summer!
These programs can help you learn about marine ecosystems and processes beyond the school classroom through advanced curricula, field trips, and activities. In the process, you will pick up practical and academic skills for future marine biology coursework and internships, gain exposure to careers in the field, and build valuable connections with peers and researchers. You will also get to work with or observe marine plants and animals while enjoying fun outdoor activities.
We’ve come up with a list of 15 marine biology summer programs for middle school students.
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; financial assistance available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Eight weeks; multiple cohorts each year
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines for each cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week research-focused opportunity for middle school students. You will be paired with a mentor to develop and execute a personalized research project that you co-design. You can choose to develop a project in marine biology, focusing on topics like marine animals, botany, and ocean sciences. The first segment of the program covers specialized sub-topics in the primary field to provide you with the requisite knowledge for conducting research. In the second month, you will complete a deep dive into the chosen research area, design your project with guidance from your mentor, and work towards a final paper. You can find the application form here.
Location: Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC), Newport, OR
Cost: $195 per camp
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple camps in July and August
Application Deadline: Rolling registration beginning January 6
Eligibility: Students ages 8–18; age requirements vary by camp
Ocean Sea Grant sponsors various marine biology summer programs for students, providing them with an introduction to the scientific study of coastal biology. If you choose the Coastal Connections camp, you will work with guest researchers and learn basic scientific methods to carry out marine fieldwork, like surveying water features and identifying species. You will work in and around coastal settings, tide pools, and estuaries around the Newport area and study the native plants and animals in each habitat. You will also explore how the flora and fauna of coastal habitats have adapted to their surroundings and study the broader interactions between species within the ecosystem. Younger middle schoolers can consider the Web of Life camp, which focuses on marine food webs.
Location: Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL
Cost: $250, $450, or $465 depending on the camp; discounts and scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions between June and August
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Rising 7th–9th-grade students
Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers an array of camps in marine biology and ocean science. As a middle school student, you can choose the Animal Care 101 track, where you will learn how to rescue and rehabilitate injured animals and develop research skills through experiments and other activities. If you are interested in environmental preservation, you can join the Ecosystem Advocates camp to learn about coastal ecosystems and the initiatives to protect them. Another option is the Marine Zoology camp, where you will explore ocean vertebrates, invertebrates, and the anatomy and ecosystem adaptations of species to native Florida’s coast under the guidance of local zoology researchers. Camps also offer opportunities to explore Clearwater Bay and engage in activities like snorkeling and kayaking.
Location: Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Waquoit, MA
Cost: $400
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment; small cohorts
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
The Marine Life Investigations camp is an opportunity for middle schoolers to explore the estuary on the shore of Cape Cod. You will examine the diverse native fish and aquatic species, learning how they’ve adapted to their habitats and skills for species identification. Academic focus areas include marine animal life cycles and ichthyology (the study of fish), which you will study at camp while also completing related fieldwork. You will gain an inside look at marine research while learning from Reserve staff about their fish population research and conservation projects. Games and activities focused on biomimicry and species evolution are also part of the camp experience.
Location: Children's School of Science, Woods Hole, MA
Cost: $440
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: June 30 – July 18 (Session A) | July 21 – August 7 (Session B)
Application Deadline: Rolling registration beginning February 18
Eligibility: Students, ages 7–15; age cutoffs vary by program
Children's School of Science offers students opportunities to take courses in various areas of science, including environmental science and marine biology. You can choose to study cape botany, nautical science, marine ecology, ornithology, or marine biology. Ecology courses will allow you to explore nearby marshes, beaches, and intertidal regions and learn about native species and their place in the ecosystem. You will collect some organisms to study up close, learning about how they have adapted to their environment and habitat in the process. Marine biology courses also focus on fieldwork, offering activities like microscope-based observation of ocean microorganisms and animal dissections. You will also get to track invasive species on the Cape, complete botanical fieldwork, design a boat, and learn how to snorkel.
Location: University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Wilmington, NC
Cost: $580 (Session 1); $470 (Session 2); optional residential fee $810; partial and full need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 13 (Session 1) | June 29 – July 3 (Session 2) | July 20 – 25 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: Rolling registration ending two weeks before camp start
Eligibility: Students aged 12–14 who have completed at least 6th grade
UNCW’s MarineQuest Ocean Lab Camp offers middle schoolers a scientific learning environment to explore environmental and marine biology on Cape Fear’s coast. Here, you will learn how to test water quality while gathering data from ocean samples and studying its impact on environmental and marine animal health. While many activities are conducted on land, you will participate in a research cruise and kayak to offshore habitats, collecting data for experiments and monitoring the health of ocean ecosystems. You will also work on projects like building a sensor to test an ocean health question of your choosing. Outside of experimental and exploration work, the camp offers recreational opportunities like beach activities and watersports.
Location: UNC Wilmington Center for Marine Science, Wilmington, NC
Cost: $590; optional residential fee $810; partial and full need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling registration closes 2 weeks before camp start
Eligibility: Students aged 12–14
For students curious about engineering and marine biology, MarineQuest provides the chance to explore both interests through its Ocean Robotics summer camp. You will start by exploring key topics in oceanography like water pressure, temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels, gaining a foundation in ocean physics. Then, you will apply these principles to an engineering project, designing a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of navigating underwater. In the process, you will gain experience in soldering, mechanical design, and developing and mounting a sensor on the ROV to collect underwater data. If you want to continue your work after the summer, you can access support to enter your ROV into a Sea Perch Competition. At camp, you will also engage in activities like watersports and visiting on-shore marshes and other ecosystems.
Location: ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, St. George's, Bermuda
Cost: $900
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 12–15
Hosted by Arizona State University’s Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, the Ocean Science Camp offers middle and high school students the opportunity to learn about marine science and research in the field. You will explore the oceans around Bermuda through snorkeling, undergo introductory training in scuba diving, and learn how to identify native marine life species. The camp curriculum is centered around Bermuda’s ecosystems, botany, and zoology, with a focus on research-focused fieldwork. You will also be trained by Institute researchers on current research in the field of marine biology, preparing you for more advanced study in the field in the future.
Location: Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA
Cost: $699; limited scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 15–20 students per class
Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 6–8th graders
The Marine Bio: Aquarium program is a weeklong introduction to ocean biology. You will learn while building your own saltwater and freshwater aquarium ecosystem. In the process, you will learn about various types of marine ecosystems, the interactions between plants and animals, and the conditions in which they thrive. The curriculum covers topics like fish behavior patterns, anatomical differences between freshwater and saltwater species, and the biology behind how plants survive in a saltwater environment. You will also learn about the biochemistry of ocean ecosystems and how salt and carbon levels affect underwater life.
Location: Seal Harbor, ME
Cost: $3,200 for two weeks
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 4 | August 3 – 15
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students, ages 12-15
Acadia Institute of Oceanography provides middle schoolers with two-week courses in oceanography and marine biology from a natural history angle. At camp, you will learn about island geology and the differences in freshwater bodies of water, test water quality in Somes Sound, and explore beaches on Seal Harbor. You will visit a bird rehabilitation center, getting a behind-the-scenes look at caring for wounded birds and opportunities to observe the array of native bird species. Other camp activities include fishing, whale watching, and swimming in the harbor. You will also gain insight into diverse marine biology and laboratory techniques at camp.
Location: Olin College, Greater Wellesley, MA
Cost: $2,500 + $2,097 residential fee for non-commuter students; a limited number of scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15–20 students/class
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 8th – 12th graders
Boston Leadership Institute offers a three-week marine biology summer program for rising and current 8th graders interested in exploring New England’s coastal environments. You will participate in regular trips to Boston Harbor’s islands alongside marine biologist instructors, studying tides and river/stream ecosystems. Activities include documenting endangered and invasive species and measuring ocean temperatures and the effects of ocean acidification on marine animals and plants. On land, you will engage in educational activities hosted at Olin College of Engineering. You will also visit the New England Aquarium and Northeastern’s Marine Science Center, gaining exposure to marine biology research at a university level.
Location: Penikese Island, MA
Cost: $1,200; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; small group cohorts
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions running from early July to mid-August
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive students entering grades 7 and 8
The Girls Science + Nature Camp merges marine biology education with leadership training, allowing students of underrepresented genders in STEM to pursue careers in science. Here, you will live in a wildlife sanctuary on Penikese Island, surrounded by nature and marine habitats. You will explore topics like island bird habitats, shellfish aquaculture, oceanography, and marine biology while also engaging in activities like fish dissections. At camp, you will spend some time on the nearby shore of Woods Hole, taking field trips to local scientific research institutions. Additionally, the camp offers opportunities to explore STEM disciplines like engineering and computer science as well as career paths in science. You may also engage in activities like landscape painting, learning scientific illustration techniques, and hiking.
Location: Topsail Beach, NC
Cost: $2,820
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students/session
Dates: Multiple five-day sessions from early June to early August
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Rising 5–8th-grade students
Sea Turtle Camp is a marine biology program for middle school students interested in learning through activities and ocean exploration. You will volunteer with Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center and learn about rehabilitation techniques to care for injured or displaced turtles. Campers will also take field trips, including visiting a local oyster farm and going behind the scenes at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. You will study marine science, ocean safety, and marine animal conservation during the program. Other activity-based learning opportunities include exploring a sea marsh, identifying animal species in estuaries, and coastal ecology fieldwork. You will also engage in surfing lessons, boogie boarding, and beach activities.
Location: Catalina Island, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,100 (one-week camp) | $5,050 (two-week camp) | $6,650 (three-week camp)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small group cohorts
Dates: Multiple one, two, and three-week sessions from early June to early July
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students, ages 8–13 (one-week camp); ages 10–15 (two-week camp); ages 12–17 (three-week camp)
Catalina Sea Camp offers marine biology summer programs of varying lengths for middle and high school students looking for a combination of education and beach activities. You will get to enroll in courses on fish and marine invertebrates, marine biology, and oceanography. You will engage in activities like building remote submersible vehicles and marine mammal labs. You will collect ocean-related data, run experiments, and observe organisms using a microscope. Older students will have the opportunity to gain scuba certification and learn to sail, while all students will find time to swim, relax on the beach, and participate in watersports at camp.
Location: Catalina Island, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,100 (one-week camp) | $5,050 (two-week camp) | $6,650 (three-week camp)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small group cohorts
Dates: Multiple one, two, and three-week sessions from early June to early July
Application deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students, ages 8–13 (one-week camp); ages 10–15 (two-week camp); ages 12–17 (three-week camp)
Sail Caribbean’s Marine Biology Summer Camp allows you to explore ocean habitats on Caribbean islands while you live on and learn to sail a catamaran boat. You will engage in various marine biology-related activities, from squid dissections to identifying and examining sea turtles, gain insights into the aquatic life, and engage in community service projects focusing on conservation initiatives. The camp offers fun activities like watersports and hiking. To add marine science coursework to your transcript, you can choose to gain academic credits by passing a written exam based on the skills in sailing and ocean science that you learned. You will also have the opportunity to become certified in Open Water Scuba Diving, Sailing, and recreational diving.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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