The Coastal Ocean Science Academy (COSA) is a marine and environmental science summer day program that aims to introduce and connect young people to local coastal habitats and the factors that shape them. The program is based at Northeastern’s Marine Science Center on the rocky shore of Nahant, where participants explore the rocky shore and tidepools, meet scientists and students, and tour science labs with our dedicated team of educators, then visit coastal habitat field sites nearby. We use the incredible natural classroom around us, hands-on learning, and plenty of fun to engage young people in coastal science and inspire lifelong natural and scientific curiosity.
COSA programs will follow current Massachusetts State and Northeastern University health guidelines for COVID-19.
The program takes place at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center at 430 Nahant Road, Nahant, MA 01908. All programs run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, and they begin/end each day at the Marine Science Center in Nahant.
This is a drop-off program; participants should be dropped off at the check-in table inside the entrance gate to the MSC each morning, and picked up at 4:00 p.m. each day.

2025 Program Dates:
Middle School Program (Littorina): Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 18, 2025
High School Program: High School Program (Chondrus): Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1, 2025
All programs run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, and they begin/end each day at the Marine Science Center in Nahant.

Program Fees:
$600 for the 5-day program
Program fees cover:
- all equipment, student materials and instruction
- transportation to off-site field locations during the program
- entry fees for off-site locations
- COSA t-shirt and string backpack
- morning snacks
We offer limited scholarships and fee reductions in 2 categories:
- those meeting federal household income eligibility levels for free/reduced lunch programs (applications due March 15)
- Nahant residents (50% fee reduction; general/rolling acceptance)
Registration:
Registration will go live Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
To register:
- Complete the online application form
- Please note: registration form requires a response from the student applicant to the following questions:
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- Why are you interested in participating in the COSA program?
- What would you like to get out of the COSA experience?
- Submit 50% program fee ($300) to secure the spot (N/A if scholarship applicant)
- Complete waivers required by Northeastern’s Minors Program Office (read and sign online)
Participants will be accepted on a rolling basis until all slots are filled.

Thanks to the support of generous donors, we are pleased to offer a limited number of full and partial scholarships to students interested in participating in the program. Our program goals are aligned with national efforts to broaden participation in academics and careers related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Nahant Scholarships: Nahant residents are eligible to receive a 50% reduction in program fees. Please indicate residency on the registration form.
Need-based Scholarships: A limited number of full scholarships are available to students whose households fall within the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced Lunch (Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced Lunch). If funds permit, partial scholarships may be awarded to other students expressing need.
Scholarship spots are limited, and applications should be submitted as soon as possible via this form (there is a space to indicate scholarship/need basis). A waitlist will be created once scholarship applicant numbers have exceeded current capacity. Please note that scholarship application does not guarantee a space at COSA.
Scholarship applicants will be asked to submit a recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, school administrator, community member, or other adult (not a family member) who has known you/the applicant for at least one year – recommendations are due by March 15, 2025, and notification of scholarship awards will occur following this date. Please contact Sierra Muñoz with any questions at ([email protected]).

Please consider making a gift to the COSA Scholarship Fund today – donations can be made directly to the fund online here or contact Outreach Program Coordinator Sierra Muñoz at [email protected] or 617.373.2825 to learn more.
