SoundWaters Research Intensive

Exploring our Million Acre Classroom

SoundWaters Research Intensive (SRI) is an exciting opportunity for high school students to learn and build real science research experiences and skills. SRI builds critical college and career skills in students through real-life field study and progressively more advanced work in the laboratory, on the water and along the shore.

Where: SRI is based at the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center on Stamford Harbor.

Who: SRI students are a diverse, motivated and intellectually curious group seeking opportunities to grow. We know from experience there are high school students who have a passion for science and ecology but lack opportunities and/or resources to engage in an advanced science research experience.

When: Separate SRI programs are offered after school during the fall and spring semesters and all day during the summer in four distinct two-week sessions.

Program Activities

Using sophisticated equipment on our research vessel and in the lab, students will design and conduct original marine science research in:

Water quality
Animal populations and diversity
Human impact

All students will gain insights into factors contributing to climate change as well as the impact on their local environment. They will have access to their own professional-grade research materials, equipment and space in the Harbor Center lab. They will learn to evaluate and map sites, identify water quality parameters to provide meaningful data and to set up animal population studies to test their hypotheses about varying growth rates and conditions.

Scholarship funding for SRI is made possible through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation, 11th Hour Racing and Tim & Sheila Pettee.

Summer 2026 applications are open.

A Two-Week Immersive Marine Science Study on Long Island Sound

During the summer, SoundWaters Research Intensive (SRI) engages high school students in a two-week immersive experience focusing on high-level marine science. This intensive summer program is ideal for high school students who have a desire to pursue their passion for science, conduct field studies, and be part of longitudinal studies on Long Island Sound.

SRI takes place at the Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center on Stamford Harbor, on board the SoundWaters Research Vessel, and aboard the 80′ Schooner SoundWaters. Students present their research projects to a live audience at the end of each session.

Students are selected based on their science ability, their interest in exploring a college major and/or professional career in science, and their commitment to the environment. A personal interview is part of the application process.

Summer SRI is designed for students entering 10th grade – 1st Year of College

SRI is a day program. No overnight housing is provided.

2026 Summer Program Dates

Session 1: June 15 – June 26

Session 2: July 6 – July 17 (FULL)

Session 3: July 20 – July 31

Session 4: August 3 – August 14

Program Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Program Fee: $1,000 (We offer full and partial scholarships. Please ask us.)

Financial aid is made possible through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation, 11th Hour Racing and Tim and Sheila Pettee.

APPLY NOW

REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

MEET THE RESEARCH INTENSIVE STAFF

QUESTIONS?

2026 Fall applications are open.

Fall Semester Program Dates:
September 21, 2026 – January 14, 2027 (winter break December 21, 2025 – January 3 – 2025)

Location: Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center, Boccuzzi Park

Twelve students are divided into two equal groups, each meeting twice per week, one day on the research vessel and one day in the lab.

Group #1: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm (Sept 21 – Jan 14)
Group #2: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm (Sept 22 – Jan 14)

Each student presents their research project to a live audience at the conclusion of the semester on Thursday, January 14.

Program Cost: $360

Financial aid is available. Scholarship funding is made possible through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation, 11th Hour Racing and Tim & Sheila Pettee

APPLY NOW

REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

MEET THE RESEARCH INTENSIVE STAFF

QUESTIONS?

Spring 2026 semester applications are closed.

Spring Semester Program Dates 2026:
February 2 – May 14

Location: Cohen SoundWaters Harbor Center, Boccuzzi Park

Twelve students are divided into two equal groups, each meeting twice per week, one day on the research vessel and one day in the lab.

Group #1: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30-5:00pm
Group #2: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30-5:00pm

Each student presents their research project to a live audience at the conclusion of the semester.

Program Cost: $360

Financial aid is available. Scholarship funding is made possible through generous funding from the Munzer Foundation, 11th Hour Racing and Tim and Sheila Pettee.

APPLY NOW

REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

MEET THE RESEARCH INTENSIVE STAFF

QUESTIONS?