Entering Grades 10-12

Marine Biology

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a Marine Biologist? Experience firsthand the investigative work, exciting discovery, and fun of ocean science at one of the University of California’s marine labs! Days are jam-packed with scientific observations of marine organisms, tidepooling, field protocols, organism sampling on beaches, and developing your own lab-based marine biology research project. This residential program also includes downtime, hikes, and other social activities to make new friends. Join us to gain skills, knowledge, and insight into the field of marine biology while adding valuable experience to your college and career pathways.

By the end of the program, students will receive a UC Berkeley certificate of completion, publicly share their final projects, create or strengthen their LinkedIn profiles, and be invited to join the TRP LinkedIn group. This invite-only professional network connects participants with TRP peers and staff—from high school through college, graduate studies, postdoctoral work, and into their early careers—and can serve as a long-term support system designed to grow with them.

Parents are invited at 2:00 p.m. on the last day for teens to share their projects.

Program Info

Time: Residential program: arrive Sunday 4:00 p.m., depart Friday 4:00 p.m.
Tuition: $2,900
Food: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided in a campus dining hall, beginning with dinner on Sunday and ending with lunch on Friday. Snacks also provided daily.

Dates

Session 1: 06/14/2026 – 06/19/2026
Location: UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, Bodega Bay
Transportation to and from the program is NOT provided.
Residential included

Session 4: 07/12/2026 – 07/17/2026
Location: UC Santa Cruz
Transportation to and from the program is NOT provided.
Residential included

Sample Day

6:30 a.m.

Wake-up (but don’t worry—it’s only this early on tidepooling days; low tide is 7:30)
Head to tidepools
Tidepool exploration and observations
Return to campus for breakfast together
Rest, shower, and prepare for the day

9:00 a.m.

Opening Circle — group check-in and framing the day
Head to the Marine Lab for hands-on investigations
Learning and practicing observation skills

12:45 p.m.

Lunch break in campus cafeteria or packed lunch out in the field
Social time with teens from other tracks

2:30 p.m.

Continued investigations and explorations in your track
Various lab tours and guest speakers
Closing Circle — reflection and preview of what’s ahead
Clean up & enjoy some well-deserved downtime

6:30 p.m.

Dinner

7:45 p.m.

Evening program, such as — campus or other tours, night hike, meet and talk to current college students, stargazing and night games, bonfire and beach volleyball, or art projects
Free time

10:00 p.m.

Lights Out!

Activity Highlights

  • Explore local tidepools and sandy beach habitats
  • Learn and practice a range of field research protocols
  • Tour research labs such as Long Marine Lab and MBARI
  • Design and conduct your own marine organism investigation
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations