High School Interns at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Our summer program for high school students gives young people a chance to learn about marine animals and environments, Aquarium operations, and careers in marine science and related fields.
No Intern Program in 2022
We hope to offer a summer intern program in 2023. We will call for applications on social media – @NOAAFish_NEFSC on Twitter and @NOAAFishNEMA on Facebook.
What Programs Do We Offer?
For high school students we offer two separate programs: a five-week internship and a two-week Careers in Marine science seminar.
Interns in the five-week program spend approximately 20-25 hours per week in the aquarium helping to care for animals. The interns learn about marine animal husbandry, aquarium operations, conservation, and public education. They also serve as assistant naturalists for shore-side collecting walks for the public and participate in the two-week careers in marine science seminar.
The two-week career seminar is designed to give students an idea of what people working in Woods Hole science institutions do and how different disciplines contribute to the larger effort to understand the marine world and to manage marine resources wisely. They are introduced to animal husbandry and basic aquarist skills, hear presentations from scientists working in a variety of marine fields, go on a collecting trip, and visit other Woods Hole science institutions and another aquarium.
What Our Interns Do
Summer interns spend anywhere from two to five weeks in the aquarium, working approximately 30 hours per week with the professional staff to care for our collection of marine animals from New England waters. Interns are trained to serve as assistant naturalists on public shoreside collecting walks. Summer interns also participate in the Careers in Marine Science Seminar, a series of meetings with scientists, hands-on activities, tours of laboratories, and field trips to other aquariums.
Who Our Interns Are
The aquarium values diversity. We accept interns from various academic backgrounds, from different parts of the country, from rural, urban and suburban communities. We especially encourage applications from students under-represented in marine sciences – this includes African American, Cape Verdean, Hispanic, and Native American students. Interns must have finished the 10th grade and be at least 16 years old on the first day of their program.
How Many?
Our program is limited by space: we are able to host 5-10 high school interns plus several college interns.