Stan Cummings Scholars Internship Program
Stan Cummings Scholars Internship Program
Click here to learn about our Founder, Stan Cummings
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.
Intern Application must be completed by teen applying for program. Some sections require parent/guardian information or signature. Parents or guardians are not to complete application on behalf of participant.
Application will take about 20 minutes to complete.
2026-2027
Ocean Institute’s Stan Cummings Scholars Internship Program
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
Basic Requirements:
– 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
Key Responsibilities
– 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
Departments and Potential Projects:
Below are the different departments and project guidelines available for interns.
Husbandry
- 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.
Public Programs
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.
R/V Sea Explorer
- 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.
Intern Application must be completed by teen applying for program. Some sections require parent/guardian information or signature. Parents or guardians are not to complete application on behalf of participant.
Application will take about 20 minutes to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the internship program?
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.
How frequent are the required shifts?
Once per week – the day is dependent on your department.
Am I required to work on holiday weeks?
No, interns are not required to work on holiday weeks.
The following breaks are built into the program:
Fall: 11/23-29
Winter: 12/21 – 1/3/2027
Spring: Align with your school’s Spring break
Who can intern?
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.
Where do I apply?
Use the application button above!