Bay Area

Biology and Environmental Science Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area

24 programs for students interested in biology and environmental science across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay. 20 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 7 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.

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Opportunities: 24
Not paused or waitlisted: 20; application availability varies
Minimum age under 16: 7; excludes paused and waitlisted
Summer only: 11; others run longer or do not say

California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Grades 9 to 12
When to apply
Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Exploratorium High School Explainer Program
Internship · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 15 to 18
When to apply
School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders
Club or organization · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort were due Friday, October 2 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy LINC Summer High School Programs
Summer program · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Summer 2026 applications were due Sunday, March 15, 11:59 pm (past window; confirm next cycle)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Urban Trailblazers
Summer program · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Applications for Summer 2026 open; interviews April 11 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Grassroots Ecology Youth Stewards
Volunteering · Palo Alto, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Summer 2026 enrollment closed; check back spring 2027 (spring session info in winter) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ZooTeen
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
Who can join
Ages 14 to 17
When to apply
Applications accepted year-round; files reviewed mid-summer. 2027 season applicants contacted end of summer 2027. (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Hidden Villa Weekend Ambassador
Volunteering · Los Altos Hills, CA
Who can join
16 and up
When to apply
Year-round
Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation Leaders
Volunteering · Monterey, CA
Who can join
14 and up
When to apply
Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Summer Internships
Internship · Oakland, CA
Who can join
Grades 11 to 12
When to apply
Applications closed for Summer 2026; info meetings were held in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Wild Guides
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
Who can join
13 and up
When to apply
Application open year-round; Fall 2026 applications were due September 1 (past window; confirm next cycle)
Oakland Zoo ZooCamp Teen Assistants and Interns
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
Who can join
Grades 9 to 12
When to apply
Summer 2026 applications were open February 1 to April 1; check back for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Junior Volunteers
Volunteering · Burlingame, CA
Who can join
Ages 13 to 17
When to apply
Year-round
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Junior Zoologist
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 15 to 17
When to apply
Not posted
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Nature Trail Volunteer
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 12 to 14
When to apply
Applications for 2027 open in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Leadership Fellows
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Grades 10 to 12
When to apply
Summer
The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship Program
Internship · Berkeley, CA
Who can join
Grades 11 to 12
When to apply
Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research Programs
Summer program · Berkeley, CA
Who can join
Grades 7 to 12
When to apply
Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
The Marine Mammal Center Youth Crew
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Online application is available for two months (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
UCSF Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)
Research · CA
Who can join
16 and up
When to apply
2026 cycle closed; 2027 information to be posted later (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Education Summer Docent VolunteerPaused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
16 and up
When to apply
Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Teen Volunteers (SEA Team)Paused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 14 to 15
When to apply
Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
California Academy of Sciences Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) VolunteerPaused
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Not posted
The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPaused
Volunteering · Berkeley, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Not posted

Opportunity	Where	Who can join	Commitment	When to apply
California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern ProgramInternship · Museum or science center	San Francisco, CA	Grades 9 to 12	2 or 3 years through high school graduation; after school and Saturdays during the school year, weekdays in summer	Applications closed; check back in February 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Exploratorium High School Explainer ProgramInternship · Museum or science center	San Francisco, CA	Ages 15 to 18	Entire school-year or summer session; more than 60 hours of training	School-year applications typically available in July; summer applications typically in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging LeadersClub or organization · Parks and environment	San Francisco, CA	Not posted	School year, October to May	Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort were due Friday, October 2 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy LINC Summer High School ProgramsSummer program · Parks and environment	San Francisco, CA	Not posted	SEJI: 3 weeks; SOL: 6 weeks; must attend all program dates	Summer 2026 applications were due Sunday, March 15, 11:59 pm (past window; confirm next cycle)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Urban TrailblazersSummer program · Parks and environment	San Francisco, CA	Not posted	Six weeks, June 16 to July 31, 2026, Tuesday-Friday 9:30 am-3 pm, with camping trips	Applications for Summer 2026 open; interviews April 11 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Grassroots Ecology Youth StewardsVolunteering · Parks and environment	Palo Alto, CA	Not posted	Summer 2026: Wednesdays 9 am-12 pm, June 10 to July 29; attendance at every session not required	Summer 2026 enrollment closed; check back spring 2027 (spring session info in winter) (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo ZooTeenVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Jose, CA	Ages 14 to 17	Minimum 48 hours a year or 4 hours per month	Applications accepted year-round; files reviewed mid-summer. 2027 season applicants contacted end of summer 2027. (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Hidden Villa Weekend AmbassadorVolunteering · Parks and environment	Los Altos Hills, CA	16 and up	1-2 shifts monthly	Year-round
Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation LeadersVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Monterey, CA	14 and up	Volunteer 3 to 4 days per week; summer program June 8 to August 2, 2026 with mandatory training	Applications closed for 2026; interviews were in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Summer InternshipsInternship · Zoo or aquarium	Oakland, CA	Grades 11 to 12	About 200 hours across 7 weeks, Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday, 9 am-4:30 pm; Summer 2026 ran June 10 to about August 1	Applications closed for Summer 2026; info meetings were held in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Oakland Zoo Teen Wild GuidesVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Oakland, CA	13 and up	Every other weekend during the school year; once a week in summer	Application open year-round; Fall 2026 applications were due September 1 (past window; confirm next cycle)
Oakland Zoo ZooCamp Teen Assistants and InternsVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Oakland, CA	Grades 9 to 12	Varies by role; camp runs in 1-week sessions, June 1 to August 7, 2026	Summer 2026 applications were open February 1 to April 1; check back for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Junior VolunteersVolunteering · Animal shelter or rescue	Burlingame, CA	Ages 13 to 17	2 hours per week for at least six months	Year-round
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Junior ZoologistVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Ages 15 to 17	Two days per month for six months	Not posted
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens ARC Nature Trail VolunteerVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Ages 12 to 14	Minimum seven days per month; seasonal, June to September	Applications for 2027 open in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Leadership FellowsVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Grades 10 to 12	June 15 to August 7, Monday-Friday, 8:15 am-4 pm, in one of three cohorts	Summer
The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Internship ProgramInternship · Museum or science center	Berkeley, CA	Grades 11 to 12	Saturday workshops in May plus full-time summer placement, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, June 1 to August 7, 2026	Applications opened December 17, 2025 and closed January 15, 2026 (past window; confirm next cycle)
The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen Research ProgramsSummer program · Museum or science center	Berkeley, CA	Grades 7 to 12	One-week sessions in June and July 2026; optional residential add-on for some sessions	Registration for Summer 2026 closed; check back in late fall for Summer 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
The Marine Mammal Center Youth CrewVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	Sausalito, CA	Not posted	8-month service learning program; all posted dates are mandatory	Online application is available for two months (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
UCSF Summer Student Research Program (SSRP)Research · Hospital or health system	CA	16 and up	7 weeks, June 15 to July 31, 2026, in person	2026 cycle closed; 2027 information to be posted later (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Education Summer Docent VolunteerPausedVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	16 and up	Minimum 6 months; volunteer orientation required	Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Aquarium of the Bay Teen Volunteers (SEA Team)PausedVolunteering · Zoo or aquarium	San Francisco, CA	Ages 14 to 15	Minimum 6 months; volunteer orientation required	Check back December 1 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
California Academy of Sciences Academy Naturalist Teen (ANT) VolunteerPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center	San Francisco, CA	Not posted	Not posted	Not posted
The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center	Berkeley, CA	Not posted	Not posted	Not posted

Email me this list

A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.

Frequently asked questions

How old does my teen need to be?

Each organization sets its own rule. The table shows the minimum age or grade each one posts, and says so when nothing is posted.

What does a teen volunteer actually do?

It varies by program. Each program page describes the work as the organization does, along with the hours it asks for.

Sources and method

Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.

Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Biology and Environmental Science Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/bay-area/biology-and-environment.

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Biology and Environmental Science Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area

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