Each state sends a team of 3–4 members, ages 14–19, to the national contest each year. Scores are based on the participants' ability to identify common wildlife foods, judge quality of wildlife habitats from aerial photographs, recommend wildlife management practices, and write rural and urban wildlife management plans. Students ages 8–13 can participate at the state level only. www.whep.org Students ages 8–16 complete individual projects concerning environmental advocacy, research, or protection. Cash prizes are awarded.
(415) 421-2640; www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero Activists ages 13–22 who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on a project with a positive environmental or social impact may apply. Six winners receive a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the Award ceremony and wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute.
(415) 788-3666 x144; http://broweryouthawards.org Students in grades 5–8 begin their journey to the DCYSC by submitting a video entry in which they explain a scientific concept. The field of semifinalists (one student from each state and the District of Columbia) is narrowed to 10 finalists, who receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC. There, students compete in a series of individual and team challenges for the top prize of a $50,000 savings bond. The second- through tenth-place finishers each receive a $1,000 savings bond. www.youngscientistchallenge.com Students in grades 7–12 submit essays of 700–1,000 words discussing a scientific or technological development, event, or theory that has captured their interest. First- through third-place winners receive savings bonds of $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000, respectively, and a trip to Walt Disney World and Kennedy Space Center. www.thechallenge.dupont.com High schools nominate gifted students aged 16–18 for this fellowship, which allows recipients to spend two or three weeks assisting scientists with natural science field research, ranging from botany and ecology to astronomy and microbiology.
(800) 776-0188; www.earthwatch.org/aboutus/education/studentopp/scap Teams of students in grades 9–12 demonstrate their knowledge of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and a current environmental issue (2010: Protection of Groundwater.) Winning teams advance to the Canon Envirothon to compete for scholarships and prizes. First- through tenth-place winners receive scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $1,000, as well as trophies and Canon products. (800) 825-5547; www.envirothon.org International teams of four high school students (two U.S. and two from another country) ages 14–17 work together over the Internet to identify a solution that addresses some aspect of climate change and the future of energy. A total of $60,000 in prizes and scholarships will be awarded to winners.
(802) 472-3200; www.globalchallengeaward.org Ten winners ages 8–18 who have worked on projects focused on helping their communities or protecting the health and sustainability of the environment receive $2,500 to apply to their higher education or their service project. Entrants must be nominated by an adult who has solid knowledge of the student’s project. www.barronprize.org Two individuals and one team from each of 500 Intel ISEF-Affiliated Science Fairs advance to the International ISEF. These high school students compete for scholarships in 17 categories. The top three winners at the international competition each receive a $50,000 scholarship. First- through fourth-place entries in each category are awarded $3,000, $1,500, $1,000, and $500, respectively. Multiple special awards are also presented.
(202) 785-2255; www.societyforscience.org/isef High school seniors submit a written description of their independent research and a 12-page entry form. From the 300 semifinalists, 40 finalists are selected to travel to Washington, DC for final judging. Ten finalists receive one of the following four-year scholarships: one $100,000, one $75,000, one $50,000, three $25,000, or four $20,000. The remaining 30 finalists each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
(202) 785-2255; www.societyforscience.org/sts Students in grades 9–12 who have completed original research in science, engineering, or mathematics may apply to attend JSHS regional symposia. Three winners from each regional event win scholarships of $2,000, $1,500, or $1,000 and are invited to attend the National Symposium, where six first-place, six second-place, and six third-place winners receive scholarships of $16,000, $6,000, and $2,000, respectively. Each first-place finalist also receives an expense-paid trip to the London International Youth Science Forum, an exchange program bringing together over 400 participants from 60 nations. (603) 228-4520; www.jshs.org Individuals or groups of students aged 15–22 submit a written report about a project they’ve completed to improve the environment in an ecologically sensitive manner. Winners receive plaques and cash prizes. (410) 673-2719; www.njha.org Teams of high school students from across the nation participate in a timed competition in which they answer questions about the marine sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, and geology. Regional winners advance to the national finals, where first- through fourth-place teams win prizes and trips to places such as Costa Rica, Bermuda, and Hawaii. Participating students are also eligible to apply for internships and scholarships through the competition.
(202) 232-3900; www.nosb.org Individuals or teams of students in grades K–12 who have completed an environmental project are eligible to receive this award. Ten winners are recognized at an EPA-sponsored award ceremony, where they receive a Presidential plaque.
http://www.epa.gov/PEYA The largest youth poetry competition in the world, this contest encourages students ages 5–19 to explore the natural and cultural history of their local watersheds and to express, through poetry and art, what they discover. Eight national grand prize winners and an international winner are awarded a trip to Washington, DC; other prizes include books, art supplies, and certificates.
(510) 548-7636; www.riverofwords.org Schools may apply for this award, which recognizes the efforts of students in grades K–12 who are working to protect and preserve the environment through an environmental project. Eight winning schools receive $10,000 and a trip for three students to one of the SeaWorld or Busch Gardens parks; students are also awarded trophies, certificates, and shirts.
(877) 792-4332; www.seaworld.org/conservation-matters/eea As individuals or as members of two- or three-person teams, high school students submit research projects in one of 14 categories. Up to 300 projects are selected as semifinalists; from that group, up to 30 individuals and 30 teams become regional finalists. Individual winners of regional competitions receive $3,000 scholarships; winning teams receive $6,000 in scholarships to divide among team members. Team and individual winners go to New York for the national finals, where they compete for scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.
(877) 822-5233; www.siemens-foundation.org/en High school biology students who are nominated by their school take a national exam; the top 500 scorers then take the USABO semifinal exam. Twenty semifinalists will be invited to attend the two-week USABO summer program in June, where four students will be selected to attend the International Biology Olympiad. The 2010 IBO will be held in Changwon, Korea.
(703) 448-9062; www.cee.org/programs/usabo Teams of 2–5 teens, ages 13–16, submit projects to improve their local environment. Teams with the best entries will be selected for an all-expenses-paid trip to Sweden to compete for cash prizes of up to $10,000. www.volvoadventure.org Students in grades 7–12 undertake explorations in biology, astronomy, or earth science, and then write up their findings in an essay (word count varies by grade level). Two winners from each grade win a trip to the American Museum of Natural History and a cash scholarship award, and have their essays published.
(212) 496-3498; www.amnh.org/yna At the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, students who have earned qualifying test scores can explore a range of math, science, and humanities topics in summer and online courses. This list features courses in the environmental sciences. Grades 7–11; 3 weeks; residential. 2009 offerings included Chesapeake Bay Ecology, Dynamic Earth, and Oceanography: The Hawaiian Pacific, Whales, and Estuary Systems. (410) 735-6277; www.cty.jhu.edu/summer Grades specified refer to students’ 2009-10 status. All programs are residential unless otherwise noted. Students ages 14–17 spend two weeks on the campus of North Carolina State University exploring careers in plant science and agriculture through hands-on labs, workshops, and field trips in this program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (919) 515-8824; www.science-house.org/student/agdiscovery Grades 11 & 12; 10 weeks; commuter. Through classroom work, field work, and on-the-job applications, students focus on environmental policy, research, regulation, enforcement, and education. College credit available.
(781) 736-2000; www.brandeis.edu/odyssey Grades 3–8; 1 week; commuter. 2009 offerings included Green Engineering, Green Robotics, and Explorations in Science.
(412) 268-1629; www.cmu.edu/cmites/summer.html Grades 11–12; 4 weeks; commuter. In the Issues in Biological Conservation course, students investigate developments in conservation biology including biodiversity, habitat alteration and species loss, captive breeding, conservation genetics, basic computer modeling for ecology, and conservation medicine. Field trips include various New York City sites and a two-night camping trip in Black Rock Forest. (212) 854-9666; www.ce.columbia.edu/hs Grades 11 & 12; 3 weeks. In Nature and Culture: History, Philosophy, and the Environment, students explore the history of human-environment relationships through various media to gain an understanding of environmental values, cultural manifestations of nature, and the role of society in forming natural resource and environmental policy. (607) 225-6203; www.summercollege.cornell.edu Grades 7–10; 3 weeks. 2009 courses for qualifying students included Coastal Ecology, Science on the Appalachian Trail: Geology and Ecology, Oceanography, and Coastal and Marine Policy: Energy, Politics, and Conservation.
(919) 668-9100; www.tip.duke.edu/summer_programs Rising juniors and seniors may participate in this two-week program, which explores various environmental issues through lectures, labs, and fieldwork, including a 4-day camping trip. College credit available.
(315) 781-4401; http://academic.hws.edu/enviro Grades 9–12; 3 weeks. Students work with a delegation of Chinese students and teachers in Vermont to review regional natural history and environmental policy development. Those who successfully complete the Vermont-based exchange will be given priority for an expedition in South China in 2011. College credit and financial aid available. (802) 897-5232; www.gatp.org Grades 9–11; 7 weeks. 2009 offerings included Global Climate Change, Environmental Management, and Global Energy and Environmental Politics.
(617) 495-3192; www.ssp.harvard.edu Grades 10–12; 1–5 weeks; residential and commuter. 2009 course offerings included Our Changing Planet and Fluid Earth.
(800) 548-0548; www.jhu.edu/summer/precollege/summer Grades 7-9; 3 weeks. 2009 offerings included Reptiles and Amphibians of Missouri: Natural History, Ecology, and Behavior. (660) 785-5406; http://jba.truman.edu Students ages 15–18 spend six days at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point learning about careers in natural resources, including opportunities in the fields of fisheries, waters, soils, land use planning, and environmental education.
(715) 824-2428; www.uwsp.edu/cnr/cwes/summer.aspx#summer%20camp Grades 5–12; 2 weeks. In this academic camp, students choose classes on topics such as botany, ecology, entomology, and limnology. Assignments require field work in surrounding forested mountains and streams, and directed research using the many resources available in the Nature Camp library. Scholarship money available. (540) 460-7897; www.naturecamp.net Grades 5–11; 3 weeks. 2009 courses for qualifying students included Into the Earth, Environmental Science, and Climate Comparison: Deserts and Rainforests.
(847) 491-3782; www.ctd.northwestern.edu/summer Grades 10 & 11; 4 weeks. In the Marine and Environmental Science Program, students learn techniques (including GPS and satellite remote sensing) to investigate environmental issues in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Under the guidance of UNH faculty, students also develop their own research projects, take a 5-day trip through the White Mountains, and participate in a poster presentation at the end of the program. (603) 862-3840; www.smart.unh.edu Grades 7–12; 2 weeks. 2009 course offerings included Where Rivers Meet the Sea: Ecology of Narragansett Bay, U.S. Environmental History, Environmental Ethics, Alternative Energy Engineering, and Adaptation to the Environment. College Credit Available. (401)863-7900; www.brown.edu/scs/pre-college Grades 10–12; 1 week; residential and commuter. Using the Anacostia River as a laboratory, students in the Environmental Studies Program study the threats to a tidal wetland ecosystem and then participate in restoration activities.
(202) 687-5992; http://scs.georgetown.edu/sphs Grades 10 & 11; 4 weeks. Students who have excelled in a high school biology course may apply for The Science of Sustainability: The Planetary Footprint of Food Production. Through in-class activities, group projects, and field trips, students explore the relationship between food production and greenhouse gas emissions, and compare industrial and sustainable models of agriculture.
(773) 702-6033; http://summer.uchicago.edu Grades 11 & 12; 3 weeks. Qualifying students work closely with university mentors on research projects. 2009 projects included Beneficial Bacteria, Chemical Engineering: Securing a More Energy-Efficient Future, and Fuel Cells and Challenges to be Solved. College Credit Available.
(860) 486-0283; www.gifted.uconn.edu/mentor Grades 10 & 11; 6 weeks. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, students spend approximately 40 hours per week conducting research in a discipline of interest. 2009 research topics included Environmental Engineering and Hydro science.
(800) 553-4692 x53876; http://continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/SSTP Grades 10 & 11; 3 weeks. Students participating in the Marine Science Program attend lectures, labs, and field trips in the study of Ecology of Fishes, Aquaculture, and Marine Environments of South Florida. Students must have completed high school biology and one other high school lab science course to be eligible. In addition, the Engineering Program offers an environmental component. College credit available. (800) 788-3986; www6.miami.edu/summerscholar Grades 9–12; 1 week. Students are immersed in the engineering, science, and technology of water purification, studying river systems to nanotechnology. Activities include field testing, projects, and a week-long Water Works competition.
(217) 333-2633; http://www.watercampws.uiuc.edu/index.php?menu_item_id=44 Grades 10–12; 1 or 2 weeks. Students study the natural history of the north shore and participate in field research projects in ecology, natural history, and environmental ethics in this theme-based program that varies each year (Previous themes: Leadership, Life Under Water, North Shore Geology).
(218) 353-7414; www.wolf-ridge.org/programs/summer_camp Grades 9–12; 2 weeks. Students live outdoors on Narragansett Bay as they study sustainable development and field ecology. Focal issues change each year. Past topics include Large-scale Energy Issues in the U.S., and Impacts of Aquaculture on the Bay. (401)863-7900; www.brown.edu/scs/pre-college/leadership Ages 16 & up; 2 weeks. In addition to focusing on wilderness skills and Sierra Nevada ecology, the field research component of the course requires students to collect and analyze data in the field, then prepare reports and presentations to be given to National Park resource managers and scientists.
(209) 379-9511 x33; www.yni.org/yi/teen From sea kayaking in Alaska to mountaineering in Wyoming or backpacking in Australia, NOLS courses teach leadership and wilderness skills to students 16 and up. Participants also learn Leave No Trace techniques. Courses run from 10 days to full semesters in length. College credit and financial aid available.
(800) 710-6657); www.nols.edu Students in grades 10–12 spend one or two weeks exploring Lake Superior estuaries and sea caves, interacting with Ojibwe tribal elders, and camping on a weekend expedition. College credit available.
(800) 753-1840; www.northland.edu/admissions-pathfinders Volunteers aged 16 and 17 participate in these ongoing research projects run by scientists in 45 countries. Topics span a wide range of scientific study including archeology, biodiversity, endangered ecosystems, world health, and zoology. Most projects are 10–14 days long, but one-week, three-week, and weekend opportunities are also available. Sample programs include Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge, Trinidad’s Leatherback Sea Turtles, and New York City Wildlife.
(800) 776-0188; www.earthwatch.org Grades 9–12; 14 or 18 days. Students with an interest in low-impact camping, wilderness safety, and natural science may choose from expeditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where they focus on Earth living skills, nature crafts, and primitive outdoor cooking; or the Outer Banks, to focus on fishing, clamming, and shell hunting. Leadership skills are emphasized.
(828)698-8828; www.greenriverpreserve.org Students ages 10–16 master navigation and open-fire cooking, as well as learn to kayak, rock climb, canoe, or backpack in New England wilderness in a 7-, 11-, or 14-day program. (802) 333-3405; www.mysummercamps.com/camps/Detailed/Hulbert_Outdoor_Center_-_Voyageurs_Youth_Trips_L26536.html This University of California program allows students ages 8–12 to explore coastal ecology in California’s Santa Cruz mountains; those ages 10–16 may participate in a six-day backpacking trip to the Sierra Nevadas. For students in grades 9–12, the Marine Biology Research Camp on Sonoma County’s coast offers the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most richly diverse marine environments. The Wildlife Biology Research Camp, also available to students in grades 9–12, allows students to practice field research techniques alongside botanists, entomologists, and ornithologists at the University of California’s Sagehan Creek Field Station near Lake Tahoe. (510) 642-5132; www.lawrencehallofscience.org/classes/camps From ornithology and herpetology research to large mammal tracking and backpacking trips, students at these camps explore the natural environments of 21 states. Programs vary by site; see Web site for more information. www.audubon.org/educate/cw Students completing grades 9–12 spend from 10–20 days studying wildlife and conservation in Ecuador and the Galopagos, Costa Rica, Beliz, Tanzania, or Australia; climate and geology in Iceland; or marine biology and conservation in Monterey Bay or Bar Harbor. Participants follow a sustainable travel philosophy. Scholarship money is available.
(877) 877-8759; www.ngstudentexpeditions.com Open to high school and college students, Odyssey’s two-, three-, and four-week voyages emphasize a detailed marine science curriculum and underwater activities designed to teach methods of collecting ecological data. Students participate in ongoing underwater ecology and coral reef research in the British Virgin Islands and also have opportunities to work on independent projects.
(800) 929-7749; www.odysseyexpeditions.org The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry offers a variety of one- to two-week educational programs for students ages 8–18. Programs include Redwoods Ecology, Wallowa Mountains Ecology Backpack, Island Ecology of the San Juans, Desert Mountains Ecology, and Canadian Rockies Natural History Backpack.
(503) 797-4661; www.omsi.edu (click on Education) Courses emphasize self-reliance and teamwork on adventures such as sailing in the Florida Keys, rock climbing in the Appalachians, or whitewater rafting on the Colorado River. Courses range in length from one week to an entire semester for students ages 12 and up. (866) 467-7651; www.outwardbound.org Students who are 16 years old and have completed their junior year of high school attend 5-week programs in Australia, British West Indies, Costa Rica, Kenya, or Mexico. All programs focus on environmental problem solving and combine lectures, field work, and directed research. College credit available.
(800) 989-4418; www.fieldstudies.org Age 16 & up; 10 weeks. Students learn sustainable practice through hands-on training on a farm, completing core courses in Livestock Systems Management, Organic Crop Production, Agricultural Power Systems, and living in eco-friendly tenting facilities through the summer. Scholarship money and college credit available. (800) 648-3591; www.sterlingcollege.edu/AD.summerfarm.html Students age 15–19 spend one month working on a conservation project in outdoor settings on public lands. Sites include about 100 natural resource management locations throughout the U.S. The program is free to students.
(603) 543-1700; www.thesca.org/serve/national-crews Students in grades 6–8 spend 5, 6, or 7 days trekking through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, while those in grades 7 and up spend from 2 weeks to a month exploring Greater Yellowstone’s geoecosystem.
(307) 733-1313; www.tetonscience.org (click on Educational Programs) Students ages 4–16 slog through bogs, taste-test wild edible plants, and explore a watershed or a forest as they learn about Alaska’s wilderness. Those ages 14–16 choose a 1-week eco-challenge adventure, either backpacking across Denali State Park or kayaking in Kachemak Bay. (907) 274-5437); www.akcenter.org Students age 16 and older spend two weeks backpacking 25 miles through the Yosemite wilderness, as they learn about Sierra Nevada history and ecology. College credit available. (209) 379-9511 Ext. 33; http://yni.org This virtual library contains over 1,500 digitally accessible resources for learning about the Earth.
http://www.dlese.org/
Check your EQ with an environmental quiz, explore careers in the environment, and read the latest news accounts on environmental issues at this educational site from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/
With this online magazine, teens learn about hot topics and current events in conservation, develop community conservation projects, build environmental literacy and leadership skills, and explore environmental careers.
www.nwf.org/earthtomorrow
This website explores the ways in which environmental changes, often the result of human actions, have caused historical trends. Includes essays, a bibliography section, and podcasts of radio interviews with scholars and scientists working in the field.
www.eh-resources.org/index.html
This site includes over 1,000 pages of information and resources on environmental topics. Click on Creature Features for an extensive animal database, directly access natural resource organizations in your state through a clickable map, or follow the Geoquiz link to explore parks, unique ecosystems, and countries in the news.
www.enviroliteracy.org Here you can explore a wide range of environmental issues. You’ll also find links to games, internship and scholarship opportunities, and environmental projects.
www.epa.gov/students Find research projects, access a scientists’ blog, or explore clouds and earth through satellite pictorials. Curious minds will find plenty of sophisticated information on the environment in the Scientist section.
www.globe.gov
How are you doing when it comes to making sound environmental choices? Take this interactive quiz and find out.
http://go.ucsusa.org/game/ This site uses interactive mapmaking to promote sustainable community development.
www.greenmap.org Check out this mix of news stories, blogs, and commentary designed to sort out the current environmental media blitz.
www.grist.org
The forum of the Youth Climate Movement features students who are making significant impacts on environmental issues. Be sure to peruse the Events and Opportunities section for a list of available ‘green’ internships.
http://itsgettinghotinhere.org
Use an interactive carbon footprint calculator to learn about the effect you have on the environment right now, compare it to the national average, and find steps you can take to lesson your impact. Click on Design For a Living World to see innovative designs of sustainable textiles and more from local craftspeople around the world.
www.Nature.org
Check out this site for an extensive list of scholarships and internship opportunities available to students interested in the marine and ocean sciences.
http://www.oceanleadership.org/link/nosb/intern-scholarship
If you want to know what the “big guys” are looking at with regard to environmental issues, look here for detailed descriptions of current environmental studies, as well as possible courses of action to mitigate environmental damage from private and industrial sectors.
http://www.rand.org/research_areas/energy_environment/
It’s hard to know what to check out first on this site that has games and quizzes, analysis of media reports, and all manner of things green, including green travel, green fashion, and green buying guides.
www.treehugger.com
Get the latest updates on worldwide climate news, facts, and political considerations. Click on Climate Thoughts to see a visual representation of opinions from well-known climate thinkers, or test your knowledge of climate issues via the Climate Quiz.
www.unfccc.int.
This site allows you to see how Seattle’s landscapes have changed over time, providing a broader context for historical ecology and its implications for the future.
http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/waterlines/
The Environmental Protection Agency created this site to inform the public about their role in wetland preservation and restoration.
http://www.epa.gov/wetlands/Environ.Protect.Agcy:Wetlands
An offshoot of the bestselling novel by the same name, this site includes a fascinating video of what could happen to our “house” after humans have left it, as well as an interactive map depicting the locales from the book.
www.worldwithoutus.com
Download guidelines on how to organize a workshop where you can examine environmental issues, discuss possible solutions, and have your voice heard by policymakers. See page 6 for an article on this subject.
http://ycc2009.org/ Ed. by Bill McKibben (Library of America, 2008).
by Rowan Jacobsen (Bloomsbury, 2008).
by Greg Melville (Algonquin, 2008).
by Thomas L. Friedman (Farrar, 2008).
by Frances F. Dunwell (Columbia University Press, 2008). by Steven I. Apfelbaum (Beacon, 2009).
by Vojtech Novotny (Oxford University Press, 2009). by Mark Lynas (National Geographic, 2008).
by Amy Irvine (Farrar/North Point, 2008). by Fred Pearce (Beacon Press, 2006).
by Alex Steffen (Harry N. Abrams, 2006).
by Alan Weisman (St. Martin’s Press, 2007). | 
