Get Your Feet Wet
Soak in hands-on adventures and make a real impact!
In our summer Freshwater Scholars Program, high school students like you get the chance to dive deep into water science research with a mentor by your side. You'll focus on one exciting project, but that's just the beginning! Your mentor will set up experiences, like touring wastewater plants or helping restore Cat Island, giving you a full splash of the field. This summer-long adventure lets you build professional skills before college and make waves in water science. Plus, you'll be improving water quality right in your community.
2025 Summer Scholars Program
You're eligible to be a scholar if you're in high school, even if you're graduating in Spring 2025. For those graduates, priority is given to those enrolling in a UW-System school; however, all are encouraged to apply. Freshmen through juniors are given equal consideration regardless of college plans.
120 Hours
The summer Freshwater Scholars Program requires 120 hours of work. Your mentorship team will provide a plan for specific projects and activities. In addition to the research project, you can explore water science careers and research through field trips and presentations. You can also present at the annual Lakeshore Water Summit, held on the Manitowoc campus in October 2025.
Get a Mentor
Based on your application and review process, you'll be matched with UW-Green Bay mentor engaged in freshwater-centered research. Mentors may be faculty/staff, graduate students, someone from our partner organization or a qualified undergraduate under the supervision of a faculty/staff member.
$1500 Stipend
If you're selected, you'll receive a stipend of $1500 paid in two installments.
Interview Process
You'll be reviewed and interviewed by the UW-Green Bay Freshwater Scholars panel with the collaboration of potential mentors. Accepted students will be placed into programs based on rankings and availability of positions. Please apply by April 14, 2025 for guaranteed consideration. We will be in contact with you by early May.
Transportation
Transportation to research sites will be provided, but you'll need to have or arrange your own transportation to campus or partnering site to meet mentors. A campus parking pass is provided. Housing is not provided.
Expectations
A lot of our work is done both in a lab and outdoors. You should be comfortable working outdoors and in all safe weather conditions on any of UW-Green Bay campuses or a partnering organization. There may also be occasional long/irregular hours.
16 Counties going with the flow
A network of educators connects local high schools with the University of Wisconsin.
Imagine exploring the journey of a single drop of water, from farmland to urban areas, all the way to the bay of Green Bay. The Freshwater Educator Network brings these immersive field experiences to life, getting students and teachers out on the water and into the landscape, making learning exciting and impactful. Focused on our region, this program combines the efforts of local high schools and the University of Wisconsin to create meaningful water science experiences.
Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin
Partnering to train the next generation of water professionals.
Wisconsinites are blessed with an abundance of rivers, streams and lakes that provide us with safe drinking water, access to recreational activities and thousands of jobs. We must ensure Wisconsin’s water resources are reliable for generations to come.
The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, a partnership of Wisconsin’s 13 public universities, is working to:
- Provide Universities of Wisconsin-wide programs, internships and research opportunities that teach students real-world skills
- Create a workforce of talented water professionals trained to meet the water challenges of the future
- Fund innovative, collaborative research to solve Wisconsin’s 10 Grand Water Challenges
- Engage industry partners, local communities, policymakers and advocacy groups in the effort to support career opportunities in fresh water
UW-Green Bay is a member of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, a partnership that provides students with opportunities for water-related coursework, hands-on experiences, internships and research opportunities at campuses throughout the Universities of Wisconsin
Support From NEW Water
NEW Water is proud to support UW-Green Bay's Student Monitoring Program to further outreach and educational efforts about our most valuable resource: water.
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In the News
Stay up to date on the latest happenings around the Freshwater Collaborative, including stories from students, exciting new research and events.
Ask an Expert
Meet Samantha Betancur, Camps and Outreach Coordinator. She works with faculty and surrounding community partners to create STEM-focused opportunities to propel local students to success. If you have questions about our program, she can help!