You’ve heard the call to help the planet, but you’re not sure where to begin.
If you’re passionate about climate change, sustainability and protecting Earth’s ecosystems, environmental studies research programs could be the perfect place to start. Whether it’s exploring climate change impacts, developing sustainable practices or tackling energy challenges, environmental research gives students a chance to make a difference. Many programs even highlight the interdisciplinary nature of environmental work, where biology, chemistry, policy and data science intersect to help protect the earth.
But this is more than just about the environment; it’s also about setting up a future that’s both meaningful and sustainable. In fact, clean energy jobs are growing at an 11.6% rate globally, while qualified candidates are growing at just 5.6%, meaning the demand for skilled professionals is only going up. Graduates in environmental studies are positioned at the intersection of science, policy, and business, making them highly versatile and in demand across industries, especially in communities facing rapid environmental change.
Environmental studies/science research programs allow students to dive deep into real-world issues, giving them a chance to showcase serious academic skills and initiative. While AP courses are useful, research-focused programs can be deeper. Students who master solid research skills stand out by not just understanding environmental challenges but by contributing original ideas and solutions that help create real world impact.
For students looking at summer programs, environmental science reveal a variety of experiences, from coursework to independent research. Programs in environmental studies generally fall into two categories. University-based courses allow students to earn college level credit while learning in a structured academic environment. Research-intensive programs, on the other hand, focus on independent inquiry and the development of a research project, giving students the chance to engage in original environmental research. Both options offer valuable experiences, but each emphasizes different aspects of academic growth, often reflected in each program’s curriculum.
Some of these programs last two weeks, while others extend into longer, immersive experiences. Regardless of length, students gain exposure to advanced topics, engage in seminars and strengthen their problem-solving and analytical skills. Many top programs even offer full scholarships, ensuring that financial constraints don’t hinder the opportunity to pursue a passion for environmental science. Some include short outdoor sessions or even a camp component to make the experience more accessible for youth new to the field.
The best environmental summer program is one that strikes a balance between challenge and readiness. Some students may prefer immersion in a traditional college classroom, while others may thrive in independent research projects that demonstrate their initiative and creativity.
Along the way, young people can also gain practical experience through internships in environmental agencies, nonprofit organizations or research labs. These experiences often include collecting water samples or conducting ecological fieldwork, which provides valuable hands-on knowledge that complements academic study and demonstrates a student’s ability to apply their learning to solve a pressing environmental problem. Programs that partner with a university department may also offer opportunities for communication workshops so students can clearly present what they have learned.
Many programs include short field trips that help students build a deeper understanding of issues they’ve only read about in class.
The following sections highlight top environmental studies programs, prioritized for their environmental focus, academic rigor, and selectivity. These programs will help strengthen your academic profile and showcase your commitment to addressing critical environmental challenges.
While these programs are well known for offering meaningful academic experiences, not all of them include environmental studies components every year. Students should review each program’s annual offerings carefully and confirm that relevant environmental coursework or research opportunities are available during the year they plan to apply.
Students who want to experience college life while conducting real-world research in ecology might consider the UC Davis Young Scholars Program. Projects often draw from a diverse range of environmental fields, including microbiology, conservation and ecosystem dynamics.
If students can get into one of the most respected environmental science and ecology research programs in the country, they’ll have the opportunity to live on campus and work alongside UC Davis faculty on active research projects in fields such as conservation biology, toxicology, agricultural sustainability, environmental microbiology and ecology. Each student completes an independent project with direct mentorship, learning how to design experiments, collect data and analyze scientific results.
This all culminates in a formal research paper and symposium presentation. UC Davis is a leader in environmental and agricultural sciences, so students benefit from access to advanced labs, field sites and university resources. The combination of college credit, real research expectations and intensive scientific immersion makes Young Scholars a really good choice for motivated students interested in environmental or biological research at a high academic level.
From snorkeling in clear waters to conducting fish population surveys and collecting soil and water samples, the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program offers talented high school students a chance to dive into hands-on fieldwork and research in aquatic ecosystems. With its emphasis on fisheries and marine biology, the program exposes students to field techniques rarely accessible to high schoolers.
Students work closely with mentors in the field of fish biology and environmental science, gaining hands-on experience in fieldwork (e.g., fish surveys, water quality testing) and lab research. Fieldwork can be rigorous, sometimes involving overnight or multi-day trips to remote locations.
The program is fully funded, covering a stipend (up to US$3,000). Travel and lodging are typically the responsibility of the student, though placements are local to minimize costs. It’s ideal for students looking to explore real-world scientific research while contributing to the study and conservation of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Participants present their research findings at the end of the program, providing valuable experience for those pursuing future careers in environmental science or biology.
From a student’s point of view, what makes the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center unique is that you are studying the environment as a living system tied directly to economics, policy and human decision-making, not just theory in a lab.
Students apply by identifying specific hands on research projects and explaining how their academic background and interests align with a mentor’s work. Once accepted, interns work full time alongside Smithsonian scientists, collecting field data in forests, wetlands and along the Chesapeake Bay, then analyzing results in professional labs. Days often start early to match tides or sampling schedules, followed by data analysis, seminars and research meetings. Interns live on site, cook together, present their findings publicly, and gain firsthand insight into how environmental science informs real-world policy and economic trade-offs.
The Simons Summer Research Program is one of the strongest summer research experiences available, particularly with its mix of high-quality mentorship and research intensity. Note however, that the program doesn’t always have an environmental science component.
While it’s free, it’s notoriously difficult to get in. The program places high school students into Stony Brook laboratories for full-time research under faculty mentorship. While many participants focus on biomedical or physical sciences, the program consistently offers projects in environmental chemistry, climate science, sustainability, ecology, marine science and related interdisciplinary areas. Students join active research groups, attend professional development workshops and produce a formal research paper at the end of the summer.
The program strongly emphasizes independent inquiry and scientific rigor, giving students a realistic view of how academic research operates. Because Simons is fully funded, students can focus entirely on their work without financial barriers.
For students who want a serious, credit-bearing research experience rather than an exploratory summer course, Pioneer Academics remains one of the strongest choices worldwide.
As a virtual experience, Pioneer provides one of the most rigorous environmental studies research experiences available to high school students. Participants work closely with university faculty while developing an original research question in areas such as climate change, human-environment interactions, sustainability or environmental policy.
The structure mirrors a real undergraduate research process. Students begin with academic foundations, move into guided literature review and then complete a full research paper that undergoes academic oversight.
The addition of college credit strengthens the value of the work and gives students a clear record of achievement. Pioneer is known for high standards, selective admissions and a strong academic culture.
Students might also want to consider a research internship in environmental sciences, and Boston University’s RISE program is one of the best available opportunities.
RISE offers a highly structured internship in science and engineering, including environmental sciences, for high school students. Students work in research labs alongside faculty and graduate students, gaining hands-on experience with projects that may involve environmental health, sustainability, ecology and other STEM fields. The program combines lab work, field study and professional development seminars.
By the end of the program, students have the chance to present their work and write a formal research paper. While not for college credit, the experience is invaluable for aspiring environmental scientists, offering exposure to the university’s world-class research facilities and fostering skills in scientific inquiry and problem-solving.
Students who want a focus on mentorship should seriously consider the Teen Research and Education in Environmental Science (TREES) program.
TREES offers high school students the chance to immerse themselves in cutting-edge environmental health science research. Hosted at the University of Pennsylvania, this program connects students with top researchers in the field. Participants engage in hands-on projects in environmental science, working directly with mentors and faculty to investigate topics like environmental health, sustainability and climate science. Students develop their research skills through data collection, analysis and scientific writing while contributing to real-world scientific work.
With no cost to participants and a focus on mentorship, TREES offers a genuine opportunity to gain experience in an Ivy League university’s research setting, making it ideal for students passionate about environmental science.
For those who prefer project-based research, UC Santa Barbara’s Summer Research Academies gives high schoolers the chance to work on their own projects under the guidance of university faculty and instructors. Note again that environmental science components are be offered every year, so prospective students should check first.
Participants select a research track in STEM, humanities or social science, engage in a university-level 4-unit course and work on a capstone project, which culminates in a seminar presentation.
This program gives motivated students access to university-level resources and research culture at UCSB, making it a strong option for those ready to engage at a deeper level. Because tuition applies and there are different options (commuter vs. residential), families should review cost, housing and scholarship details carefully.
Students who want to focus on developing scientific inquiry and presentation skills could consider the NC State High School Summer Research Program.
This program offers students hands-on experience in natural resources and environmental science research. Participants work closely with faculty mentors on projects in forestry, conservation and environmental sustainability. Students engage in fieldwork, lab research and data analysis, culminating in a formal research presentation.
The program is free, and students are eligible for a stipend of up to US$1,000. While many participants are from North Carolina, the program is an excellent opportunity for those interested in pursuing careers in environmental science, forestry or ecology, while gaining exposure to real-world environmental issues.
Based on a recent survey from Pioneer alumni, 71 percent were admitted to the top 20 U.S. colleges and universities. Six percent of Pioneer’s alumni attended university-affiliated programs in the summer.
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 ninth or 10th grader, the Global Problem-Solving Institute is worth exploring. It gives you a chance to tackle real-world challenges with an interdisciplinary approach, while earning college credit from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and impressive accomplishment early in your academic journey.
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