High School Marine Science Symposium

Overview

The Massachusetts Marine Educators (MME) have hosted the Marine Science High School Symposium since 1984, with Northeastern’s Marine Science Center joining as co-host in 2013. Students get exposure and access to marine science experts through hands-on workshops, an interactive demonstration fair, and a keynote speaker. Students attend two workshops and have one time slot devoted to the demonstration fair where they can meet and network with multiple presenters throughout the session.

2025 Date and Location

Thursday, March 6, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Northeastern University
Curry Student Center
360 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115

Event format

Students will attend two workshops and have one time slot devoted to the demonstration fair where they can meet and network with multiple presenters throughout the session.

Cost

$25 per student, including lunch provided for all attendees. Teachers/chaperones attend for free.

All schools (even those receiving scholarship funds) are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the event.

Please note there may be additional fees for parking on campus.

Scholarships

We are pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to students attending school in districts where more than 40% of students are classified as economically disadvantaged.

Check eligibility here based on district profiles .

Scholarships will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are allocated. Due to the limited amount available, there is no guarantee that an entire class or school will be covered.

Transportation

All schools are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the event, including those receiving scholarship funds.

Please note: there may be additional fees for parking on campus. Northeastern’s parking lots are managed by an external contractor, MasParc. Visitor parking information can be found here.

Student supervision

Students are not permitted to attend the event alone or without adult supervision. All students attending the event must be chaperoned by an adult.

Registration

Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Once capacity has been reached, registrants will be added to a waiting list.

After registering, you’ll receive the following materials, which must be completed and returned by February 15:

Attendee Form: listing student names and top workshop preference. Students will attend two workshops and, whenever possible, be placed in their preferred choices, based on room capacity and scheduling.
A Northeastern Waiver & Release Form, to be completed by each student; this can be completed digitally and submitted via email, or printed and brought on the day of the event.

2025 Highlights

Presentration and workshops by

Atlantic Shark Conservancy
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
New England Aquarium
Seacoast Science Center
Center for Coastal Studies
Mass Audubon
MIT Sea Grant
Ocean Genome Legacy Center
Northeastern University

Sponsorship opportunities

If you or your organization is interested in providing scholarship funds for students from low-income school districts to be able to attend, it can do so at the $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or higher level. Sponsors receive special mention in our program as well as at the events, and donors at the $500 level or higher will also receive special mention on event signage.

Please contact Emily Duwan, Massachusetts Marine Educators President for more information.

Questions?

Reach out the Marine Science Center Outreach Team