Since 1971, the Sea Education Association (SEA) has been a world-renowned leader in marine education opportunities for high school students, educating over 10,000 students in marine and maritime studies.
With a maximum of 25 students per program, the SEA Summer Programs offer an intimate, focused learning environment. Participants gain a deep understanding of the marine environment, as well as practical research skills and leadership capabilities, making it an invaluable experience for those interested in marine sciences and environmental education.
SEA offers a number of virtual and residential programs in oceanography and marine biology each year, so students are encouraged to find the ones that match most closely with their interests.
This guide explains the structure of SEA’s high school programs, including eligibility requirements, the application process and the academic and personal benefits students can expect.
Here this some important “at-a-glance” information about the SEA Summer Programs:
SEA offers immersive summer programs for high school students who are interested in studying marine and maritime ecosystems, conducting field research, and exploring coastal environments.
SEA’s programs are designed to provide high school students with access to oceanography, marine biology, environmental science and the broader scientific challenges affecting the world’s oceans today.
Students have the opportunity to learn from professional scientists while conducting hands-on research, and some SEA programs even allow students to sail aboard a research vessel, collecting oceanographic data while learning about navigation and life at sea.
Most in-person sessions feature full day sessions on the water, providing an insight into professional life within the marine sciences and potentially inspiring the next generation of marine biology researchers.
In 2026, SEA is offering the following programs for high school students:
Pre-College SEA programs include 40 hours of instruction, split between lecture and field-based activities. The pre-college courses are intended to give students an introduction to college level coursework in marine topics. Thus, graduating seniors or recent graduates interested in building academic confidence as they head into life within a university may discover such offerings to be appealing.
Because the organization has decades of experience teaching ocean science, the SEA programs are well regarded within the marine science and oceanography communities. SEA also operates research vessels used to conduct research outside of their outreach programs.
While SEA programs are primarily experiential learning opportunities rather than academic competitions, their immersive research environment makes them appealing for students seriously interested in marine science.
Notably, 92% of alumni report that SEA programs equipped them with skills useful in diverse careers, ranging from conservation and environmental policy to law, medicine and sustainable energy.
SEA programs are academically engaging, but they are designed to be rigorous, thus making it most appealing to high school students who are uniquely motivated to study the programs’ research areas.
Students should expect:
Because cohorts are small, students receive close mentorship from instructors and scientists.
SEA summer programs are designed for motivated high school students who have successfully completed at least one high school-level science and mathematics course.
Students should be attending high school at the time of application (or have graduated), but rising high school freshmen are allowed to apply to SEA’s virtual programs.
Participation in SEA programs also requires medical clearance because these programs involve physically active fieldwork and outdoor research. Students must complete a comprehensive physical examination conducted by a licensed healthcare provider within six months before the program begins.
For students with medical conditions, SEA is often able to develop appropriate safety plans when given sufficient notice. Each situation is reviewed individually to determine whether the student can participate in the program in a way that is safe and supportive of their success.
Typically, the most successful applicants are:
You do not necessarily need prior experience in marine science, but applicants should demonstrate curiosity about the natural world and interest in scientific exploration.
To apply to the SEA summer programs, applicants must submit an application through the online portal. A completed application requires the following components:
Applications open in the preceding fall, and students are encouraged to apply early as programs can fill up quickly.
Here are some important milestones in the application process to the SEA summer programs:
Admissions decisions are typically made within two weeks of the application deadline. The quick turnaround helps students plan their summer activities and manage other potential commitments.
SEA’s high school and pre-college programs typically take place during the summer months, with multiple sessions running between June and August. Most programs are held in person at SEA’s campus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.
In person programs are fully residential, meaning students live on campus for the duration of the session. Some programs also include sailing-based experiences aboard SEA’s research vessels. Each year, SEA will offer a virtual program, which students can complete from a place of their convenience.
SEA programs emphasize hands-on exploration of ocean systems. Examples of activities include:
Check out the SEA website’s high school program blogs for more personal accounts of student experiences. Parents who are curious to learn more about the specifics of each program are encouraged to check SEA’s website.
In addition to the academic programming, SEA programs feature fun evening activities as a way to foster connection among the community of students.
Program costs vary depending on the specific course and session, but most in-person SEA high school programs range from approximately $7,000 to $8,000. The virtual program costs ~$1,100.
For the in-person programs, this fee generally covers tuition, housing, meals and program-related activities, including field excursions and research experiences. Additional costs may include travel to and from Woods Hole and personal expenses during the program.
SEA offers need-based financial aid to help make participation more accessible for accepted students. Financial assistance is typically awarded based on demonstrated need after admission decisions are made. Find out more about financial assistance offered by SEA.
SEA’s admission process is need-blind, meaning that applying for financial assistance does not impact a student’s chance of acceptance.
Participation in SEA programs can strengthen a student’s academic profile, particularly for students applying to programs related to environmental science, marine biology or oceanography.
Admissions officers often value experiences that demonstrate:
While SEA participation alone does not guarantee admission to competitive universities, it can show serious commitment to scientific learning and environmental issues. Participation in SEA could spark curiosity in a particular subject area
SEA programs are best suited for students who:
Students who enjoy experiential learning and collaborative projects often thrive in this environment. Students must also be comfortable living independently.
For students interested in ocean science or environmental research, SEA programs offer a unique opportunity to explore the field in depth.
Participants gain:
These experiences can help students better understand whether they want to pursue marine science or environmental studies in college.
SEA summer programs provide high school students with an immersive introduction to ocean science and environmental research.
By combining fieldwork, laboratory analysis and mentorship from experienced scientists, SEA gives students a deeper understanding of how marine ecosystems function and how scientists study the ocean. Program participants have the opportunity to forge meaningful connections among like-minded SEA students, cultivating a network of students interested in ocean research.
For students who are passionate about environmental issues, marine biology or oceanography, SEA programs offer a meaningful opportunity to explore these interests in a hands-on setting.
Looking to learn more about research programs for high school students? Check out this Complete Guide to Summer Research Opportunities for High School Students.
Students interested in marine or environmental science can explore options including:
For high school students searching for prestigious summer programs that are respected and valued by colleges, Pioneer Academics is a great alternative to this featured program.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer Academics alumni, 71 percent of Pioneer Research scholars’ college admissions records were to the top 20 US colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated summer programs.
If you’re interested in conducting the highest level of research for high school students, consider joining a Pioneer information session to learn more about the Pioneer Research Institute.
If you are a 9th or 10th grader, you should check out the Global Problem-Solving Institute today. You’ll have the rare opportunity to study current world problems in an interdisciplinary approach and earn college credits from UNC-Chapel Hill at a young age.
SEA does not publicly release an official acceptance rate. However, programs are considered selective due to their small cohort sizes, typically enrolling 20–25 students per session.
SEA summer programs are not free, with tuition for in-person programs ranging around $7,000 to $8,000. which includes housing, meals and academic programming. However, need-based financial aid is available to help offset costs.
The virtual SEA programs are cheaper, typically costing around $1,100.
A typical day in an SEA program blends academic instruction with hands-on learning. Mornings often include lectures or discussions led by scientists, while afternoons are spent on fieldwork or laboratory analysis, such as collecting water samples or studying marine organisms.
Evenings may involve group project work, presentations, or community activities. Some days also include field trips to research institutions or extended time outdoors in coastal environments.
Students interested in SEA programs can strengthen their applications by demonstrating a genuine interest in marine or environmental science.
Admissions reviewers often look for students who:
Preparation may include:
Students should also use their application essays to clearly explain why they are interested in ocean science and how the program aligns with their academic goals.
SEA Programs provide multi-week, intensive studies into marine science. One week, students may be receiving a crash course in coastal topography, the next, students may be on the water with PhD researchers studying aquatic ecology. For students whose only extracurricular activities have been summer campus, they should expect an in-person SEA program to be substantially more rigorous.
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