Bay Area
Education Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area
27 programs for students interested in education across San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the East Bay. 22 are not listed as paused or waitlisted; application availability varies. 10 list a minimum age under 16, excluding paused and waitlisted programs.
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- Opportunities
- 27
- Not paused or waitlisted
- 22
- application availability varies
- Minimum age under 16
- 10
- excludes paused and waitlisted
- Summer only
- 7
- others run longer or do not say
- Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)
Volunteering · Sausalito, CA
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- 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)
- Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy Explorers
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 10 to 12
- When to apply
- Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (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)
- 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
- Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory Boards
Volunteering · Oakland, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- Year-round
- 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)
- Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)
Club or organization · Palo Alto, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 8 to 12
- When to apply
- Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- San Francisco Public Library FOG Readers Volunteer Tutor
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- 15 and up
- When to apply
- Year-round
- San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth Volunteers
Volunteering · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Not posted
- When to apply
- School year
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 16 to 18
- When to apply
- Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle)
- San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 15 to 19
- When to apply
- Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
- 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
- San Jose Public Library Teens Reach
Club or organization · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- Ages 13 to 18
- When to apply
- Year-round
- Santa Clara County Library District Homework Help Tutor
Volunteering · CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- School year
- 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 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)
- The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday Helpers
Volunteering · San Jose, CA
- Who can join
- 14 and up
- When to apply
- Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (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
- Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPaused
Volunteering · Mountain View, CA
- Who can join
- Grades 9 to 12
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Discovery Museum Volunteer Program (ages 15+)Volunteering · Museum or science center | Sausalito, CA | 15 and up | At least a 3-hour commitment; regular, seasonal, or one-time shifts | Year-round |
| 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) |
| Chabot Space & Science Center Galaxy ExplorersVolunteering · Museum or science center | Oakland, CA | Grades 10 to 12 | 2 floor shifts per month in the school year, 3 per month in summer, plus Inquiry Teams that meet 7 times per semester | Applications open February 1 to March 31 each year; decisions in early May (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) |
| 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 |
| Oakland Public Library Teen Volunteers and Teen Advisory BoardsVolunteering · Library | Oakland, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Year-round |
| 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) |
| Palo Alto City Library Teen Library Advisory Board (TLAB)Club or organization · Library | Palo Alto, CA | Grades 8 to 12 | Not posted | Fall 2026 applications closed; check back in December for Winter/Spring 2027 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| San Francisco Public Library FOG Readers Volunteer TutorVolunteering · Library | San Francisco, CA | 15 and up | Minimum 6 months, about 1 hour per week plus 1 hour of preparation | Year-round |
| San Francisco Public Library School Year Youth VolunteersVolunteering · Library | San Francisco, CA | Not posted | Not posted | School year |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 16 to 18 | 10 hours per week, late October through early May | Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle) |
| San Francisco Public Library Youth Engaged in Library Leadership (YELL)Internship · Library | San Francisco, CA | Ages 15 to 19 | 16-20 hours per week, June 15 to August 2 | Applications open annually in March (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability) |
| 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 |
| San Jose Public Library Teens ReachClub or organization · Library | San Jose, CA | Ages 13 to 18 | Regular attendance at meetings and support of library activities | Year-round |
| Santa Clara County Library District Homework Help TutorVolunteering · Library | CA | 14 and up | At least one day Monday through Thursday, 3:30-6:00 pm, for a full semester | School year |
| 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 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) |
| The Tech Interactive Teen Volunteer Program: Holiday HelpersVolunteering · Museum or science center | San Jose, CA | 14 and up | At least six shifts of 3-4 hours across November 21-29 and December 19 to January 3; one 3.5-hour orientation | Orientations November 14, November 21, or December 5, 2026 (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 |
| Computer History Museum Teen Volunteer InternsPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Mountain View, CA | Grades 9 to 12 | Not posted | Not posted |
| The Lawrence Hall of Science Teen VolunteersPausedVolunteering · Museum or science center | Berkeley, CA | Not posted | Not posted | Not posted |
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By intended major
In the Bay Area
- Pre-Med (18)
- Nursing and Health (18)
- Pre-Vet and Animal Science (12)
- Biology and Environmental Science (24)
- Engineering and Computer Science (7)
- Law and Government (3)
- Arts and Humanities (8)
- Psychology and Social Work (6)
- Hospital (18)
- Zoo and Aquarium (11)
- Museum (10)
- Library (9)
- Animal Shelter (5)
- Parks and Environment (5)
- Community Service (3)
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. “Education Opportunities for High School Students in the Bay Area”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/in/bay-area/education.
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