Storm Surge High School Summer Internship
Are you passionate about climate action, environmental restoration, and making a difference in your community? This summer, Storm Surge is seeking a motivated local high school student to join us as a volunteer intern for 10–15 hours per week.
As a Storm Surge intern, you’ll work alongside board members and community partners on meaningful projects focused on climate education, coastal resilience, and public outreach. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to real environmental initiatives happening right here in our region.
Internship Projects
School Curriculum Development
Help shape how the next generation learns about climate change by reviewing and refining Storm Surge’s K–12 curriculum materials and aligning them with Massachusetts educational standards.
Mass Oyster Project Upweller
Join fellow volunteers in hands-on coastal restoration work, including monitoring, planting, and maintenance activities at the Newburyport Harbor upweller site.
Newburyport Public Library Climate Exhibit
Support a September hurricane season awareness initiative by helping design an emergency preparedness handout, brainstorming ideas for a library book display, and creating social media and email content.
Details
Volunteer internship
10–15 hours per week during the summer
Open to local high school students
Travel costs outside of Newburyport/Newbury and any necessary materials will be covered by Storm Surge
This internship is ideal for students interested in environmental science, climate advocacy, communications, education, or community engagement.
To apply or learn more, please contact intern@storm-surge.org
From Research to the Classroom: UNH Students Build Local Climate Curriculum
Storm Surge recently partnered with the University of New Hampshire's Sustainability Dual-Major (SDM) Capstone program on an exciting curriculum development project. A team of four UNH students spent the spring 2026 semester developing a set of six interdisciplinary climate education modules tailored specifically to Newburyport and the surrounding coastal community.
Topics include sea level rise, clean water, coastal ecology, the history of climate change in Newburyport, and more. The modules are designed to slot seamlessly into existing high school curricula across multiple subject areas, minimizing the burden on teachers while maximizing student engagement with locally relevant climate issues. The team presented their work to Storm Surge's board and Newburyport community stakeholders in April, and the materials will serve as a foundation for future interns to pilot in area classrooms..
The Mass Oyster Project upweller is closed for the season
The Mass Oyster Project upweller in Newburyport has been put to bed for the season, but will be back next Spring!
You can help!
Just 1.5-2 hours per week volunteering
Help nurture 60,000 baby oysters 🦪
No experience needed - just enthusiasm!
Located next to the Harbormaster's office
Why it matters: Each oyster filters 30-50 gallons of water daily, creating cleaner water for fish, crabs, and marine life. The project has already placed 2+ million oysters in MA waters since 2008! 🐟
Questions? Contact Mike Connor: mconnorhome@gmail.com or 617-448-4922
Second Graders Dive Into Climate Science with the SCiLL Mobile Lab
On April 9, 2025 second graders at Bresnahan Elementary had a blast exploring big climate ideas in hands-on ways, thanks to a visit from the Change is Simple SCiLL Mobile Lab. Students learned how carbon builds in our atmosphere and discovered simple steps we can take to care for the planet.
The program connected global climate concepts to local places — like Plum Island — helping students understand how our own community is impacted by rising seas and changing weather patterns. With interactive lessons both inside and outside the lab, the experience was fun, age-appropriate, and unforgettable.
“My students were incredibly engaged. It was hands-on, age-appropriate, and they really connected the impact of coastal erosion to our own community.”
— Katara Harding, 2nd Grade Teacher, Bresnahan Elementary
Read the Bresnahan School’s summary: https://secure.smore.com/n/a3quf-young-scientists-with-big-ideas
Watch the Storm Surge Interview on The Morning Show
Storm Surge board chair Kathleen Brittan and former chair Dr. Robert Young join host Mary Jacobsen on The Morning Show to discuss:
🌎 Climate Education in Schools – A new pilot program with Change is Simple brings hands-on learning to Newburyport students.
⚡ Inspiring Action – The challenges of mobilizing communities to address climate change.
💡 Hope for the Future – What keeps them motivated in the fight for climate resilience.
📺 Tune in: The Morning Show airs Thursday at 9 a.m. on Channel 9 and WJOP (FM 96.3).
Ice and Sand
This new video in our series describes how the powerful glacial and climatic events that took place during the last episode of the 2.6 million years of what is called the Ice Age formed the geologic features of Newburyport’s modern coastline.
Consider a donation to support our mission.
Storm Surge is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that runs with a small budget. While volunteers provide our manpower, we do still incur some operating expenses that we must cover with donations. If you’d like to help support our goal to raise awareness to climate change and local resiliency challenges, a your tax-deductible donation would be greatly appreciated!
Do you have an idea for a Speaker Series topic?
Send us a note at contact@storm-surge.org
Share your ideas!
Newburyport Climate Resiliency Projects - Interactive Map maintained by the Newburyport Resiliency Committee
Storm Surge would like to thank the following sponsors for their support!
New England Biolabs
New England Grass Roots Environmental Fund
Newburyport Savings Bank
Mass Cultural Council
Constellation Energy