Marine Biology
Three-Week Summer Science Program
"Best Camp for Marine Science" - ThomasNet, Xometry 2022
This program takes full advantage of our location on the coast in Boston. Wellesley is only a commuter rail ride away from ships departing for the Boston Harbor Islands. Students study high and low tides, venture into rivers and streams, and explore the various New England habitats. A trained marine biologist leads our program and creates a custom aquarium. Students engage in proprietary activities that other marine biology programs for high school students rarely include. This is the perfect option for students who have outgrown the typical summer camp and are seeking a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Last year, students visited the famous New England Aquarium and Northeastern’s prestigious Marine Science Center.
This is a competitive admissions summer research program designed for teens.
Are you a rising 8th-10th grader, not able to take the full three week course? Check out this one week Marine Biology program here!
July 13th – July 31st, 2026
More About: Awards – Research Programs – Sample Week
Field Work
Marine Biology students venture out of the classroom upon occasion to nearby streams and wetlands. They may collect water samples for laboratory analysis plein-air fresh water sketches of flora, map local fresh water habitats, and chart invasive wetland plants. They may catch, and later release, minnows, frogs, or mollusks for their in-class aquariums.
This program is going fast – apply today. You can receive updates by joining our mailing list.
In-Class Research
- Conducting in several dissections on a variety of fish, squid, and starfish
- Sketching anatomical drawings of oysters, clams, mussels, and quahogs brought in from a local fish market
- Creating a touch tank with live sea creatures
- Utilizing internet feeds to study the movements of sharks along the Atlantic seacoast
- Performing a variety of aquarium-based studies
Field Trips
In the past, students have visited:
- Marine Science Center, Northeastern University: This site contains three unique habitats: salt water, fresh water, and brackish water. Students tour the facility, hear from marine biology researchers, and explore holding and touch tanks. Guided outdoor tours and hands-on research projects complete the day.
- New England Aquarium: This world-class facility boasts a Giant Ocean Tank with coral reef packed with sea animals including a giant green sea turtle. Other favorites include the African penguin colony and the shark touch tank exhibit. Students can view Atlantic harbor seals, California sea lions, and a giant Pacific octopus.
- Boston Harbor Islands: The scenic ferry ride features breathtaking views of the Boston skyline, and the multitude of islands and promontories in the busy seaport harbor. Once ashore, students may tour the island environs replete with shore birds, sea grasses, and other coastal marine flora and fauna. Research activities have included studies of the gulf stream, currents, and tides.
Original Research Presentations
Students delivered PowerPoint presentations on research topics of their choosing, including:
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in Sea Urchins: Genetic commonalities with humans and implications for treatment.
- Simulating effects of competing species introduction on the behavior of captive-bred Golden Shiners.
- Effects of Temperature and Light on the Aggressiveness of Zebra Fish
Past Instructor: Marco Pedulli
Dr. Pedulli earned his Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Massachusetts. He is a STEM educator with years of experience teaching high school marine biology and running summer marine science programs. Previously, he was a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
Past Instructor: Lauren Staiger
Lauren is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She previously earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Studies and completed a program on the biology of sharks, skates, and rays at the Cornell University Shoals Marine Laboratory. She is the president of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association PennVet Chapter and a member of the American Association of Fish Veterinarians, among many other associations. During college, Lauren worked at the New York Aquarium, providing professional caretaking for fish and invertebrates, testing water quality, aiding aquatic veterinarians during surgery, and much more.
Student Comments
‘Our teacher was amazing and I absolutely loved working with her! I liked how chill the class was but also how I was able to put effort into learning. I got a lot from this class and I realized that this is what I want to do in college. The teacher was so passionate about the subject and it made me so excited to learn.’
‘I really enjoyed the program and our teacher was absolutely incredible! She was super knowledgeable about all things marine. I liked that she gave us a fair amount of flexibility while also guiding us and helping us learn.’
‘I really enjoyed the dissections and field trips. I also thought our teacher was really engaging and presented information in a variety and great ways. I especially enjoyed the fish simulations.’
‘I liked the dissections and our field trips. I liked the field trips because we were able to get to know our class better while also interacting with marine biology.’
‘Our marine bio teacher is a great teacher, kept us interested. The program involved a lot of field trips with both the students and teacher made not only educational but fun and intriguing.’
‘I thought this class was an incredible opportunity, I love that we had both in class and in the field learning experiences. The teacher was nice and gave great lectures and balanced his class time so it was never repetitive or boring. I enjoyed being able to learn without worrying about grades and being able to physically experience each habitat.’
‘I loved the marine bio program. Our teacher was really chill. She did a lot of different activities to cater to everyone’s learning styles. The field trips were fun and educational.’
Check out our one-week Marine Biology programs, like Aquarium, Land & Sea, and Whale Watch!
Young marine scientists in middle school? Our Under the Sea and Shark Week programs are a great catch!
Note: This page represents our best expectations for the program. Activities and instructors are subject to change. In such cases, similar activities and a comparably qualified instructor will be sought.
Our Programs are Featured on the National Association for Gifted Children Website
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