BLI White Logo

Marine Biology

Three-Week Summer Science Program

• BioSTEM Award, 2018, J&J • Top Summer Science Program, 2011-Present, NY Times/ThoughtCo.com • Top Robotics Program, 2017, RoboLoco • Best Medicine Program, 2018, ParentMap • Top Biomedical Engineering, StockTalk.com • Top 101 Summer Camps & Programs, How-To-Learn.com • #1 Marine Bio, 2022, ThomasNet, Xometry • Top Summer Programs, 2023, collegematchpoint.com  •  Best Computer Science, 2023, collegetransitions.com

"Best Camp for Marine Science" - ThomasNet, Xometry 2022

This program takes full advantage of our location on the coast in Boston. Wellesley is only a commuter rail ride away from ships departing for the Boston Harbor Islands. Students study high and low tides, venture into rivers and streams, and explore the various New England habitats. A trained marine biologist leads our program and creates a custom aquarium with discoveries from his SCUBA dives on campus in Wellesley, so bad weather conditions never hold the class back. Students engage in proprietary activities that other marine biology programs for high school students rarely include. This is the perfect option for students who have outgrown the typical summer camp but don’t want to spend the summer in a lab.

Steve Smith earned his Masters in Biology from Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center, in a certified SCUBA diver, and is currently a marine science educator with the Massachusetts Marine Educators. Steve designed this program with a science educator at a major marine science research center. Last year, students visited the famous New England Aquarium and Northeastern’s prestigious Marine Science Center in conjunction with their numerous trips to the shore.

This is a competitive admissions summer research program designed for teens.

 Note: this page represents our best expectations for the program we will deliver, but is subject to change. We will update this page as new information becomes available.

Are you a rising 8th-10th grader, not able to take the full three week course?  Check out this one week Marine Biology program, here!

Students do research off the coast of Boston in the Marine Biology three-week summer science program

Applications will open for Summer 2024 on November 1, 2023.

June 24-July 12, 2024 | Olin/Wellesley, MA

More About: Awards – Research Programs – Sample Week
Rising 6th to rising 9th? Check out: Young Marine Scientist or Under the Sea 

New 2024 programs and dates will be announced soon! Join 

our mailing list to be the first to know. 

Field Work

Marine Biology students measure the impact of ocean temperature and ocean acidification on the growth of seaweed and marine animals while on the Boston Harbor Islands. They will venture out to survey the rocky shores of Georges Island, and document the invasive species fouling the dock pilings.

This program is going fast – apply today. You can receive updates by joining our mailing list.

In-Class Research

First-hand research opportunities start with exploration of a saltwater aquarium in the classroom.  Our instructor. Steve Smith, is a certified SCUBA diver packs the aquarium with saltwater plants and sea creatures that he collects on dives (and releases after the program is over).  The aquarium is definitely worth the effort, as it provides an endless source of entertainment and education for the students. 
 
Steve has been known to drop by Quincy Market to collect rare and unusual fish. Students first make images of the fish on butcher paper and on t-shirts using Gyotaku, a Japanese art form. Students then dissect the fish, comparing and contrasting the anatomy of fish that are bottom dwellers versus not and so on.
Students study marine life in the Marine Biology three-week summer science program

Field Trips

In the past, students have visited Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center in Nahant, MA where they have witnessed surgery on a marine animal at the New England Aquarium, visited the Boston Harbor Islands, and have identified different species of whales on a Whale Watch.

Students may have the opportunity to attend the Marine Science Center at Northeastern University’s College of Science to learn from top researchers in a beautifully maintained marine environment.

NOTE: COVID will impact field trips. We cannot guarantee any given field trip will run as in past years or at all.

Students work with a natural ecosystem in the Marine Biology three-week summer program

Student Comments from Summer 2023

Our teacher was amazing and I absolutely loved working with her! I liked how chill the class was but also how I was able to put effort into learning. I got a lot from this class and I realized that this is what I want to do in college. The teacher was so passionate about the subject and it made me so excited to learn.’

‘I really enjoyed the program and our teacher was absolutely incredible! She was super knowledgeable about all things marine. I liked that she gave us a fair amount of flexibility while also guiding us and helping us learn.’

I really enjoyed the dissections and field trips. I also thought our teacher was really engaging and presented information in a variety and great ways. I especially enjoyed the fish simulations.’

‘I liked the dissections and our field trips. I liked the field trips because we were able to get to know our class better while also interacting with marine biology.’

Student Comments (continued)

‘Our marine bio teacher is a great teacher, kept us interested. The program involved a lot of field trips with both the students and teacher made not only educational but fun and intriguing.’

‘I thought this class was an incredible opportunity, I love that we had both in class and in the field learning experiences. The teacher was nice and gave great lectures and balanced his class time so it was never repetitive or boring. I enjoyed being able to learn without worrying about grades and being able to physically experience each habitat.’

‘I loved the marine bio program. Our teacher was really chill. She did a lot of different activities to cater to everyone’s learning styles. The field trips were fun and educational.’

Students take a picture while visiting Boston in the Marine Biology three-week summer science program

Our Programs are Featured on the National Association for Gifted Children Website

Join Our Mailing List

Register & Pay for a Program

Apply For a Three-Week Program