Freshwater Scholars Program
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 can dive deep into water science research with a mentor by your side. You'll focus on one exciting project, but your mentor will set up experiences to give you a full splash of the field, like touring wastewater plants or helping restore Cat Island. 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. Applications are now closed. Check back in March for updates on our 2027 program.
2026 Summer Scholars Program
You're eligible to be a scholar if you're in high school, even if you're graduating in Spring 2027. 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 2027.
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.
$1,750 Stipend
If you're selected, you'll receive a stipend of $1750 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. Applications for 2026 are closed.
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.
Eligibility
Students currently enrolled in high school, including seniors who are graduating in Spring 2027, are eligible for this program. Students who are 15 years or younger will need to apply for a work permit to participate in this program.
Meet a Phoenix
"This program has taught me a lot about methods for collecting data, which has helped me in many of my science courses during my first year at UWGB. One connection I made was in a chemistry lab where I used a spectrophotometer to measure absorbance. In the field I learned how to use a similar device to measure phosphate content in water. Having just that extra little head start gave me a lot of confidence."
Digby Meister
Freshwater Summer Scholar & Current UW-Green Bay Student
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!