Science Mentor

Two people work together on a boat, adjusting equipment mounted on a pole. One person wears a gray cap and a red life jacket while the other wears a teal cap and blue life jacket. The scene is set on a calm body of water with a mountainous horizon under a cloudy sky.

A group of four people, wearing gloves, smile at the camera while processing fish on a table outdoors near a body of water and mountains in the background. They seem to be engaged in scientific or research activity under a canopy for shade.

Two people in life jackets work together on a boat. One person with curly hair in a ponytail is writing on a clipboard, while the other person with straight hair points at the paper. They are surrounded by calm water with mountainous terrain in the distance.

Volunteer as a Science Mentor

We exclusively reach young people from City Heights, a low-income, urban, and racially diverse community. By providing young people with science education, mentorship, and the growth mindset tools, they break the cycle of poverty and enter science and science-related fields.

As a Science Mentor, you will participate in our Ocean Leader Programs. These programs are open to high school students from Hoover High School in City Heights. Each year, these students will participate in an intensive summer program that will help prepare them to become leaders in science. As a mentor, you will participate alongside the students in the programs for multiple, consecutive days. During your time, you will act as a mentor, help students with the coursework & hands-on activities, inspire them to pursue science, and build belief that science is something they can do and a science leader is someone they can become.

About the Opportunities

During the summer of 2025, we will have two Ocean Leader Programs that need Science Mentors like you: our 9th Grade Program and 10th Grade Program. See below for descriptions of each program and how to sign up to be a Science Mentor.

1. Ocean Leader 9th Grade Program

We will be welcoming recently graduated 8th-grade students to the Ocean Leader program through a hands-on science program where students investigate fish, mammals, and invertebrates. This program is primarily based in San Diego at the Living Lab, but will also include some trips to the local coast.

Shifts & Timing:

  1. July 2 – July 5, 9am-3pm
  2. July 7 – July 10, 9am-3pm

2. Ocean Leader 10th Grade Program

This program brings our rising 10th grade Ocean Leaders to Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico. Our students learn and practice the Scientific Discovery Process through authentic hands-on field research in the unique environment of Bahia de Los Angeles. In this residency program, students experience life at a field station, engage in community-building activities, swim and snorkel, and develop critical mentor-mentee relationships.

Shifts (first and last days are travel days):

  1. June 5 – June 10
  2. June 9 – June 14

Step 1:
Fill out the Volunteer Application

Volunteer Application

Step 2:
If interested in being a Science Mentor, email Joel Barkan at jbarkan@oceandi.org.