Stan Cummings Scholars Internship Program

Honoring Our Founder’s Legacy

The Stan Cummings Scholars Internship Program, named after Ocean Institute’s founder, is a year-long internship program for emerging marine scientists. This program engages passionate and talented high school students in research projects on the water and in our living laboratories, truly cultivating the minds that will undoubtedly grow to become the next generation of leaders in ocean research and education. The students receive robust guidance and support from Ocean Institute staff and outside researchers and culminates with a symposium in which participants engage the public through presentations of their semester projects.

Applications are currently closed and will open again in Summer 2027

2026-2027 Internships

Internships at Ocean Institute go from fall to spring with a poster session in May and a showcase in June. Interns will gain hands-on experience and a deep connection to marine science.

The following dates require attendance from all interns. Acceptance to the program is based on merit, as well as availability for all required dates.

Internship Dates:

July 6 – Applications Open

August 12 – Applications Close at 11:59pm

August 17 – September 4 – Interview Window

September 9 – Internship Awarded

September 24 – Orientation

September 26-27 – Start date

November 23-29 – Fall Break

December 8 – Workshop 1: Project Development

December 21 – January 3, 2027 – Winter Break

March 2, 2027 – Workshop 2: How to Recognize Patterns in Your Data

Spring Break – Align with your school break

April 27, 2027 – Workshop 3: How to Make a Good Poster and Presentation

May 29-30, 2027 – Poster Session

June 4, 2027 – Intern Showcase

4 hour shift, 1 day a week for entire program
Mandatory Workshop attendance
Adhere to all deadlines
Participation in end of program Poster Session and Showcase

Act as an integral part of the Ocean Institute’s team of educators, including staff and volunteers
Uphold high expectations for professionalism and teamwork, in alignment with Ocean Institute’s mission
Gain hands-on experience with designing and executing a project; conducting data collections and organization; and contributing findings to the larger scientific community
Practice critical thinking, scientific research, public speaking, and science communication
Utilize email as main form of communication with program coordinator

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors from the Nicholas Endowment and South Orange County Wastewater Authority who provide the opportunity for our interns to get hands-on experience in their fields. Without their support, this program would not be possible.

Departments and Potential Projects

Behavioral Research Intern – Assist with animal care including tank cleaning, animal feeding, food preparations, and more while simultaneously developing and executing a research project utilizing part of our aquarium system of the intern’s choosing. Available to both high school and undergraduate college students. Shifts available 7 days a week, to be decided upon acceptance.

Filtration Research Intern – Assist with animal care including tank cleaning, animal feeding, food preparations, and more while executing a comparative filtration study between two filter-feeding organisms in the Ocean Institute’s living collections. Available to both high school and undergraduate college students. Shifts available 7 days a week, to be decided upon acceptance. Project funded by South Orange County Wastewater Authority.

Exhibit Design Intern – Learn about the development, execution, and maintenance of our permanent and temporary public-facing exhibits. Project will include creating or updating an exhibit to be displayed during our general admission hours. Available to both high school and undergraduate college students. Shifts available Saturdays and Sundays.

Oceanographic Research Intern – learn about the safety regulations of our Coast Guard certified vessel and the techniques we use to educate guests on the water. Simultaneously, develop and execute a project, collecting data aboard the R/V Sea Explorer, involving surface waters. Oceanographic Research projects can focus on plankton, large fish and marine mammals, and more under the approval and supervision of RV/SE staff. Available to both high school and undergraduate college students. Must be able to board the RV/SE cruises for some intern shifts. Shifts available Saturdays and Sundays.

Harbor Health Watch Intern – learn water sampling techniques aboard the R/V Sea Explorer, from the beach, and off our dock in the harbor to execute a project comparing the water quality of the Dana Point Harbor and offshore waters. Completed in collaboration with the R/V Sea Explorer Department and the Public Programs Department. Available to both high school and undergraduate college students. Must be able to board the RV/SE cruises for some intern shifts. Shifts available Saturdays and Sundays. Project funded by South Orange County Wastewater Authority.

Aquarium Water Impacts Intern – learn about the water intake system of Ocean Institute’s aquarium and water sampling techniques aboard the R/V Sea Explorer, from the beach, and off our dock in the harbor to execute a project that investigating offshore factors influencing our aquarium water intake. Completed in collaboration with the Husbandry Department, the R/V Sea Explorer Department, and the Public Programs Department. Available to both high school and undergraduate college students. Must be able to board the RV/SE cruises for some intern shifts. Shifts available Saturdays and Sundays. Project funded by South Orange County Wastewater Authority.

F. A. Q.

September – June

We start the program with a mandatory orientation training, then interns will start working weekly shifts in their department. We finish the program with a public poster session and presentation showcase in June.

Once per week – the day is dependent on your department.

No, interns are not required to work on holiday weeks.

The following breaks are built into the program:

Fall: November 23 – 29
Winter: December 21 – January 3
Spring: Align with your school’s Spring break

All of our internships are open for high school students and undergraduate college students to apply. Interns must be able to commute to Ocean Institute on a weekly basis.