Applications for Waves 2026 will open on APRIL 15.
Summer Program for students entering grades 10, 11, and 12.
Are you a teen interested in pursuing a water-based career? This summer, Waves Teen Club will meet with a Twin Ports professional each week to learn, experience, contemplate, and enjoy a potential water-based career. Using the Great Lakes Literacy Principles to guide the program and career exploration activities, upper high school youth will gain an “understanding of the Great Lakes’ influences on them and their influence on the Great Lakes.” Teens will collaborate on a final project to create a brochure, flyer, or website of Great Lakes-focused careers that could be shared with high school peers.
Program Schedule
The Waves program meets on Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., June 10-August 12.
Program Highlights
During this program, participants in 2025 got to:
- Learn about Aquarium based careers through hands-on experiences with Aquarium professionals.
- Climb aboard the UW Superior Sadie Ann floating classroom to conduct research in Lake Superior.
- Learn about recreation-based careers like sailing, with the opportunity to compete in a Duluth Yacht Club Sailboat race.
- Try SCUBA diving in Ordean Middle School pool.
- Meet with a local geologist doing fascinating research on the origins of waterfalls and bedrock geology.
- Tour the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and hear about the different careers in the shipping industry.
Who Should Apply?
This program is perfect for students who:
- Are curious about water-based careers in the Twin Ports.
- Enjoy hands-on learning experiences.
- Want to make some new friends while participating in unique experiences.
- Are entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
Jump in and make some waves this summer!
Entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade and looking to participate in Aquarium teen programming? Check out Junior Waves!
Questions? Contact Nora Steinmetz at (218) 740-2000 or nsteinmetz@glaquarium.org.