The Ocean Pathways High School Research Mentorship program, an immersive summer initiative led by AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, Hugo Neu/Kearny Point, and NY/NJ Baykeeper in partnership with the Newark Boys & Girls Club, officially launched this week for the third straight year.
The six-week program provides high school students in Los Angeles, New York, and New Jersey with firsthand research experience and mentorship opportunities in marine biology, sustainability, and environmental conservation.
The program is backed by the NJ STEM Pathways Social Innovation Grant, provided by the New Jersey Department of State’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives. This office supports nonprofit faith and community-based organizations that serve low-income residents, aiming to foster innovative approaches for community and economic transformation. The STEM grant category is designed to help youth explore career pathways in science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on experiences like coding, robotics, astronomy, and more.
The initiative has grown from a standalone summer experience into a year-round engine for raising environmental awareness and nurturing the next generation of green-economy leaders. The program takes place at AltaSea’s campus in Los Angeles and on Hugo Neu Corp.’s Kearny Point campus in New Jersey.
Hugo Neu Corp. invests in technologies and practices that reduce carbon footprints and regenerate natural resources. Kearny Point was developed with a climate resiliency model — a standard for adaptive reuse and holistic environmental, economic and community viability.
Since launching in 2023, the Ocean Pathways program has engaged more than 120 Newark and Los Angeles students in projects in marine science, sustainability, and conservation. It has awarded participants up to 50 volunteer hours and stipends of up to $150 to bolster college applications and career readiness.
The program has also led to community-driven initiatives, from oyster reef restoration to neighborhood water-quality monitoring, that continue beyond the summer.
“We’re witnessing real transformation,” says Keion Walker, education director at NY/NJ Baykeeper. “Students not only gain technical skills, but they also become ambassadors – spotlighting environmental challenges in their own backyards and inspiring peers to get involved.”
The East Coast group is made up of 20 Newark high schoolers who will devote eight to 10 hours per week to various immersive experiences, including:
- Oyster Habitat Restoration with Baykeeper’s Rink-2-Reef
- Water Quality Monitoring at Liberty Science Center and Lake Lefferts Park in Matawan
- Urban Systems Exploration at Sims Municipal Recycling Facility in Brooklyn
- Green Infrastructure Tours at Duke Farms in Hillsborough
- Career-Connected Workshops on environmental policy, regenerative aquaculture, and climate justice
These activities are designed not only to teach scientific methods but to inspire students to consider careers in marine biology, environmental engineering, policy advocacy, and other possibilities.
