Opportunities for High School Students
This is an initial list of green & climate internships as well as educational and applied opportunities for high school students. Thanks for Katie Kross for the inspiration for this page and for compiling some of these opportunities.
To suggest an addition for this page please send an e-mail to hello@greenjobs.net.
This website from Green Jobs Network includes links to a variety of fellowships and climate corps programs, some of which may accept applications from high school students.
Monterey Bay Aquarium - Teen Conservation Leaders
Overview: Teen Conservation Leaders (TCL) is a service-learning program for high school students to develop career and life skills, build self-confidence, and earn community service hours, all while supporting the Aquarium’s mission. Applications open February 2025.
Climate Leaders Fellowship - Rustic Pathways
Overview: Connects high school students globally to work together on identifying and addressing climate impact opportunities in their local communities through a 12-week program.
Next Session: February 28 – April 28, 2025
Application Deadline: February 10, 2025
Young Investigators Summer Program - Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Overview: A summer internship for high school students who have completed at least one year. Participants engage in sustainability research and projects. Applicants must live and attend school within 25 driving miles of Stanford University.
Pre-College Programs - Columbia Climate School
Overview: Programs designed for high school students (Grades 9-12 and motivated rising 9th graders) to expand their knowledge and prepare them to understand, analyze, and apply cutting-edge research to the complex problem of climate change and sustainability.
NOAA eeBLUE Young Changemakers Fellowship
Overview: A year-long program for high school students passionate about the environment, climate, ocean, Great Lakes, and/or coasts, focusing on creating change in their home communities.
Eligibility: Full-time high school students living and attending school in the United States, U.S. territories, or tribal nations.
Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI) - NASA
Overview: Engages high school students in a year-round research program alongside NASA scientists, focusing on climate change research areas.
Components: Fall and spring terms involve in-service high school STEM educators and graduate students; the summer session includes undergraduate and high school interns.
ClimaTeens Fellowship Program - The Wild Center
Overview: A leadership program for Adirondack youth focused on climate solutions, providing mentorship to turn passions into tangible climate action.
Eligibility: Current high school students with a deep passion for the planet.
High School Summer Internship Program - USC Center for the Political Future
Overview: Offers high school students a collegiate internship experience, including participation in the “Climate Forward Conference” and related research and writing assignments.
Eligibility: High school students (no graduating seniors) with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Earthwatch Student Fellowships
Overview: Awards fellowships to promising high school students to explore and protect the natural world on an Earthwatch expedition, focusing on environmental research.
Eligibility: High school students with a demonstrated passion for science and travel.
Climate Reporter Internships - Native Climate
Overview: A 10-week summer journalism internship program for students interested in gaining skills in communication or multimedia storytelling related to climate issues.
Eligibility: High school, college, or graduate students.
Earth Tomorrow Program - National Wildlife Federation
Overview: A leadership development and environmental education program that creates opportunities for youth in frontline communities, particularly youth of color, to deepen their understanding of environmental issues and provide solutions to address environmental injustices.
Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program - NOAA
Overview: Provides a new level of engagement for youth aged 13-18 committed to ocean conservation and stewardship. Participants learn about America’s underwater treasures and share their passion with others.
Conservation Externships - The Nature Conservancy
Overview: An eight-week virtual program for people age 18-25 focusing on priority topics such as marine or freshwater conservation. Participants connect with peers, work with learning coaches, and interact with mentors and experts.
Overview: A structured program where participants organize their peers, engage the media, collaborate with partner organizations, and meet with elected officials to advance science-based and equitable climate policies in key states across the country. Fellows commit 7 hours per week.
Youth Action for the Planet - California Academy of Sciences
Overview: Engages teens in climate action through events like the Bay Area Youth Climate Summit. Programs include panel discussions with youth leaders and activities such as collaborative art murals, native planting, and advocacy tabling.
High School Internships - Metropolitan Transportation Commission
Overview: The Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy is a paid internship for high school students with MTC and partner organizations. Interns gain experience in transportation planning, environmental sustainability, and public policy.
California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program
Overview: A program for high school students interested in tackling climate change policy in their local communities. Participants collaborate with peers across California to advance climate policies.
Shoreline Education - Save The Bay
Overview: Offers field trips and virtual expeditions aligned with California’s Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Students gain an understanding of Bay ecology and wetlands, exploring the connections between human actions and environmental impacts.
Golden Gate School & Group Environmental Science - NatureBridge
Overview: Offers overnight environmental science programs in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Students participate in hands-on learning experiences in one of the Bay Area’s most pristine coastal locations.
Youth Summit on Climate, Equity, and Health - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Overview: A week-long program that trains students to become climate and health leaders in their communities through workshops, field-based activities, and meetings with scientists, health and policy experts, academics, energy innovators, and climate communicators.
Climate Action Fellowship - San Francisco Environment Department
Overview: A 4-month program where high school students learn about various environmental topics and gain professional skills while focusing on a community impact project. Participants work on solutions to environmental issues affecting their school, neighborhood, or city.