Want to know whether a career in water sciences is right for you? Dive into field research during high school!
Participating in one of our hands-on freshwater high school programs offers you the opportunity to learn about Wisconsin’s water ecosystems and how to study them. You’ll get insight into potential career paths. And you’ll discover what it’s like to be a college student at a University of Wisconsin school.
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin supports a number of summer camps and workshops for high school students.
UW-Green Bay High School Freshwater Summer Scholars Internship Program
The High School Freshwater Summer Scholars internship program provides students with PAID opportunities for exploration and engagement with water science. Students are matched through an application and interview process with a UW-Green Bay mentor engaged in freshwater-centered research. In addition to the research project, students will have enhanced opportunities to explore water science careers and research through field trips and presentations. They will be invited to present a poster of their work at the annual Lakeshore Water Summit, held on the Manitowoc campus.
Open to students enrolled in high school, including graduating seniors. Learn more about the internship program.
2025 info coming soon!
Freshwater Science Summer Field Experience, June 22-25, 2025
Wisconsin’s freshwater lakes, streams, and groundwater are an important resource and vital to a sustainable future. Faculty from UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout invite current high school juniors (entering senior year fall 2025) to spend three days exploring western Wisconsin’s freshwater resources, and learning about freshwater-related degree programs and careers. Meet students from across the state as you explore Wisconsin’s waterways.
All in-program transportation, chaperoned lodging in UW-Eau Claire residence halls, and meals are paid for by the Freshwater Collaborative. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.
Freshwater High School Camp
Dive into freshwater sciences at UW Oshkosh’s three-day camp for high school students. Conduct hands-on research, pilot water drones, explore waterways on a pontoon boat, learn about freshwater college majors and careers, and enjoy fun evening activities in the residence halls. Aside from a $25 participation fee, all costs will be covered by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. The experience includes two nights of lodging, meals, activities, and all learning costs. Limited to 20 participants. 2025 info coming soon!
My River Adventures (MRA)
Explore careers in STEM and learn from UW-La Cross faculty in this multi-day camp for incoming 8-12 grade students. Students will use the UW-La Crosse campus as their home base while they enjoy a week of instructional sessions and visits to rivers in the Driftless region for hands-on fieldwork and lab activities in collaboration with UW- La Crosse faculty, local educators and community members.
Priority admission will be given to Wisconsin residents who qualify for free or reduced lunch. 2025 info coming soon!