Environmental programs for high school students.
Field research, conservation programs and climate contests for students who care about the planet.
13 opportunities, 6 free · Links and programs checked October 18, 2026 · By Lokesh Pampatti, founder of Clarity Prep
13 of 13 shown
CompetitionFreeRegional symposia → national
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
JSHS / Department of Defense
Research presentation competition with regional symposia in every state and a national finale.
Our take: Present original research as a talk, not a poster. Fewer entrants than the science fair circuit, real scholarship money.
Research & internshipsFreeAustin, TX + remote work
SEES High School Summer Intern Program
NASA / UT Austin Center for Space Research
Earth and space research internship for rising juniors and seniors.
Our take: Free NASA-funded earth and space science research. Most of the work is remote; the two weeks in Austin are covered.
CompetitionUnder $1kRegional → state → international
Regeneron ISEF (via your regional fair)
Society for Science
The world's largest pre-college science competition, fed by affiliated fairs.
Our take: You get there by winning your regional and state fair. Even a state-level award is a real line; ISEF itself is a big one.
Research & internshipsFreePlacements near you
Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
American Fisheries Society
Summer mentoring program in fisheries and aquatic science, with a stipend.
Our take: Paid ($3,000) fieldwork with a fisheries biologist, placed near where you live. Underapplied.
CompetitionFreeOnline
Ocean Awareness Contest
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
Annual creative competition for ages 11–18.
Our take: Art, writing, film, music, or poetry about the ocean and climate, with real scholarship awards. Good for a creative student who cares about the environment.
CompetitionFreeSchool team, teacher-led
Solve for Tomorrow
Samsung
STEM competition for public school teams solving a local community problem.
Our take: A teacher has to enter your school. State winners get technology packages; national finalists get real money and press.
CompetitionFreeState → national → Stockholm
Stockholm Junior Water Prize (U.S.)
Water Environment Federation
Research competition for water-related science and engineering projects.
Our take: For a water-related research project, the state round is very winnable. The national winner goes to Sweden.
CompetitionUnder $1kOnline
Conrad Challenge
Conrad Foundation
Multi-phase innovation and entrepreneurship competition for ages 13–18.
Our take: Invent a product in aerospace, energy, health, or cyber and defend the business case. Finalists pitch at the Innovation Summit.
CompetitionUnder $1kAthens, GA
Georgia Science and Engineering Fair
University of Georgia
Georgia's state science fair, an ISEF-affiliated competition.
Our take: Georgia's path to ISEF. You qualify through your regional fair first; ask your science teacher in the fall which one your school uses.
CompetitionUnder $1kState → international
NCF-Envirothon
National Conservation Foundation
Team competition across soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, and a current issue.
Our take: Field-based environmental science in teams of five. Underused by students who list "environment" as an interest.
CompetitionUnder $1kSchool team → regional → state → national
Science Olympiad
Science Olympiad Inc.
Twenty-three events spanning biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and earth science.
Our take: Team-based and school-run, so the signal is medals at state or national, plus any leadership you take on.
Competition$1k–5kRochester, NY
GENIUS Olympiad
Terra Science and Education
International environmental-themed project fair with high finalist and medal rates.
Our take: You pay to attend after a light screening. Readers who know it weigh it well below ISEF or Regeneron.
ProgramOver $5kWilderness sites nationwide
Outward Bound Expeditions
Outward Bound USA
Backpacking, canoeing, climbing, and sailing expeditions with a leadership curriculum. Scholarships available.
Our take: Great for you; near zero as an admissions line. That is fine. Not everything needs to be.
“Helps an application” is our read on how much an admissions reader is likely to weigh it: Strong means getting in or placing is a real achievement, Solid means it shows real interest and effort, and Light usually means most students who apply and pay can attend. It’s our opinion, not a ranking from any college, and a light one can still be a great summer.
Want a list picked for you?
Clarity Prep members get opportunities matched to their grade, interests and state in the app, plus a mentor who helps them decide what’s worth applying to and checks in every week until the applications are in.
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Every program here is real and links to its own official site. Dates, costs and rules change every year, so check the official page before you apply. Deadlines are shown as the months they usually close. Spot something out of date? Email sessions@joinclarityprep.com.