Woods Hole Science Aquarium Programs
We reach the public, students, and aspiring scientists.
Volunteers
Our volunteers help us take care of the animals by preparing food, feeding animals, cleaning tanks, and helping our aquarists on other projects. Experience is not necessary – we train our volunteers – but you must be interested in marine animals or aquarium operations, willing to get your hands dirty, and available for 3 to 4 hours one morning or afternoon per week for a period of at least four months.
Learn more about volunteering at the Aquarium
Caring for Injured Animals
Turtle Conservation
Woods Hole Science Aquarium sometimes helps to rehabilitate sea turtles that are injured or sick. Most arrive here after washing ashore on Cape Cod beaches in the late autumn when sudden temperature changes can cause "cold stunning." These animals are not on display. They recover their health and body weight in the Aquarium’s off-exhibit rehabilitation tanks until they are healthy enough to be returned to the wild.
Learn more about sea turtle rehabilitation at the Aquarium
Seal Conservation
The Aquarium has provided a permanent home for seals that are unable to live in the wild. Our seals typically come to us through the NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and are animals that cannot be released to the wild.
Learn more about seal care at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium
Internships
College Interns (Summer)
Most summers the Aquarium is able to host one or more college interns. These paid internships occur through existing programs, available on competitive basis to undergraduates. For more information, visit our Academic Programs Office.
Other Internships
The Aquarium staff does not run school-year programs, but we are open to working with teachers or students who want to establish a school-year intern experience. Students, teachers, or counselors who want to explore a school year experience should contact the Aquarium staff directly.