Additional marine science is learned through participation in volunteer training sessions. As part of this program, participants are further integrated into the life of the Aquarium by leading visitor programs and working at education stations within Aquarium galleries. To develop teaching skills and reinforce earlier training, students present mini-lessons to their parents and families at the end of each phase. Students are encouraged to return to the program throughout their high school years since program content and activities are changed annually. To provide increased challenges and greater autonomy, participants returning to the program act as ment ors to incoming students, receive more responsibility as team leaders and are exposed to new learning opportunities.
Students work as both volunteers and part-time paid employees.
Training is seven consecutive Saturdays in late spring. Work and volunteer time is from June through Labor Day. Students must be Maryland residents, have completed a high school level biology course, completed ninth grade by the beginning of the summer program and been selected as their school's choice as representative for the program. Once chosen, studen ts must attend all training sessions and commit to complete the work period of the entire program. The deadline for applications is mid-November of each year.