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Educational Opportunities for High-School Students

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) offers a number of educational and research opportunities for high-school students.

Bay Watershed Education and Training Program (BWET)

The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERRVA) program at VIMS works with local school districts and teachers to offer in-depth and hands-on studies of the Chesapeake Bay. The program targets 9th-grade students in Gloucester and Mathews counties. Program participants take part in classroom lessons and field trips that provide a meaningful Chesapeake Bay experience; the lessons are deeply integrated into classroom activities and Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Summer Governor's School Program

Open to Virginia high school students via the Virginia Department of Education Governor's Schools program. During this 4-week summer residential school, VIMS researchers host up to 6 high-school students with a demonstrated interest in and aptitude for marine science. Students are housed at Christopher Newport University.

Summer Aide Program

A limited number of paid positions may be available on the VIMS campus during the summer, depending on faculty need and funding. High school students may apply for these temporary positions. To be considered, students must complete a William & Mary online application. Researchers or faculty looking for Summer Aides review the online applications to find potential candidates. To submit an online application, go to the W&M Jobs site and follow the instructions. Note: paper applications are not accepted; in the event that there are no positions or you are not selected, you will not be notified.

Oyster Aquaculture Training Program (OAT)

The Oyster Aquaculture Training program is designed to help meet the growing demand for trained staff for Virginia's oyster aquaculture industry, and to assist VIMS' Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center in its oyster-domestication programs.

Blue Crab Bowl

The Blue Crab Bowl is the Virginia Regional Competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB®). It showcases some of the Commonwealth's most talented high-school students as they display their mastery of oceanic knowledge.  In February of each year, teams from 16 high schools compete in a contest co-hosted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Old Dominion University.  The winning team goes on to represent Virginia at the National finals where they face teams from 24 other regions.

Marine Science Careers

Learn about the diverse opportunities available for a career in marine science; and the classroom, laboratory, and research experiences that will help give your students a leg up. 
Thinking about a Career in Marine Science? (pdf)

Volunteering

Get involved at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science by becoming a volunteer. Positions are available as needed in public outreach and occasionally in laboratory research and fieldwork.