Opportunities for Students (June 2025)

Published June 10, 2025

Folks, we've made it to June.

With the end of the 2024–25 school year upon us, public schools across the five boroughs are in full transition mode as they prepare for end-of-year activities while also getting their buildings and staff members ready for the summer season.

Likewise, many of New York City's organizations, nonprofits, and cultural institutions, like the Brooklyn Public Library, Young Minds in Motion, and Columbia University are also getting ready for the summer and fall seasons, and they are seeking City students for a range of roles and programs, including paid internships and valuable mentorship opportunities.

Take a look at the following list of opportunities available for City students this June and beyond, and take advantage of all that New York City has to offer!

If you have a library card from either the New York Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library, or the Queens Public Library, you can explore local museums and City attractions for free with Culture Pass, New York City's free discovery program for City library cardholders. Check out the City's official Culture Pass webpage to learn more, and start signing up for free City experiences today! (Photo by Paula Nardini. Original can be found on Pexels.)

Opportunities for Students in June 2025

The opportunities listed below are ordered by their submission/registration deadline dates, with the most urgent deadlines listed first. For more information about any of these listings, please click through the corresponding links embedded in each entry.

Take in the Great Outdoors this Spring and Summer through the Urban Park Rangers

For students of all ages
Events run through Summer 2025
Cost: Free

Registration Deadlines Vary; See 'Events' page on NYC Parks' website

Since 1979, NYC Parks' Urban Park Rangers have helped New Yorkers and visitors of all ages discover and explore the City's natural world through environmental education, outdoor recreation, wildlife management, and active conservation.

Check out the Urban Park Rangers' Events webpage to learn about events happening at City parks near you, including events taking place throughout June in celebration of Father's Day, Juneteenth, and PRIDE Month—sign up directly for your desired events through NYC Parks' Urban Park Rangers webpage.

Develop Your Writing or Drawing Skills through Uptown Stories' Hands-On Workshops

For young people aged 8–17 years
Various workshops available at different sites during summer months
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can; no proof of income required
Contact: Dorkys Ramos (dorkys@uptownstories.org)

Registration Deadline: ASAP

Expand your writing capabilities with Uptown Stories, an Uptown Manhattan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to offering afterschool, weekend, and summer creative writing and illustration workshops for children aged 8–17 years old. Available workshops include: "The Nature of Poetry," a workshop dedicated to helping young poets establish a deeper connection to nature while honing their writing skills; "The Elements of Fiction," where young writers between the ages of 8–12 can learn what it takes to develop great stories; and "Creating Otherwords," where young writers will learn to build literary worlds of their own creation that are only limited by the scope of their imaginations.

Uptown Stories' tuition is "Pay-What-You-Can;" visit Uptown Stories' webpage to learn more about the workshops, and register for a class today, as seats are limited.

Spend the Summer at Your Local City Library

For New Yorkers of all ages
Hundreds of free events and activities available for NYPL, QPL, and BPL cardholders
Contact NYPL, QPL, or BPL for questions

Registration May Be Necessary; See Our Official Post for Details

This summer, New York City's public libraries are offering cardholders of all ages a wide range of fun, free, family-friendly programs all summer long. From reading contests for kids, to arts and crafts programs for teens, there's tons of things for City students to do at their local library this season. So whether you're a New York Public Library (NYPL), Queens Public Library (QPL), or Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) cardholder, there's bound to be a great activity for you and your family!

Check out our "Join NYC Public Libraries for Free Activities..." post right here on The Morning Bell to learn more about the hundreds of free family-friendly activities available at City libraries across the five boroughs, and start planning your next library visit today!

Become a Youth Food Advocate

For students in grades 9–12 by fall 2025
Interns earn service learning hours and receive a stipend of up to $550 per year
Contact: Anna Lilia Araiza at aaraiza@foodadvocates.org

Application Deadline: June 15, 2025

Community Food Advocates is looking for the next generation of food justice leaders to serve City public schools during the 2025–2025 school year. If you're a high school student (as of fall 2025) who is interested in getting better food served in school cafeterias and advocating on behalf of your fellow students, then consider applying for the Youth Food Advocates (YFA) Internship. Interns will get the opportunity to learn about social justice, public policy, and advocacy work through hands-on actions that have real-world impact. While helping to create meaningful change for food justice across City public schools, interns will also be able to earn Service Learning hours and receive up to $550 per year as a stipend.

Visit YFA's webpage to learn more, and apply by June 15, 2025.

Apply for BPL's Teen Techies Yearlong Internship

For young people aged 14–18 years old
Internship would begin Summer 2025 and run through June 2026
Stipends awarded following successful completion of training and library service hours
Contact: Jackson Gomes at jgomes@bklynlibrary.org

Application Deadline: June 19, 2025

Love technology and enjoy visiting your local library? Want to make a difference in your community while building your resume and gaining valuable work and leadership experiences?

Consider applying for the Brooklyn Public Library's Teen Techies internship program!

Through the program, participating interns will learn new computer skills in a two-week training institute in the fall, and then use those skills to help BPL patrons use library computers throughout the year. Interns will also be assisting BPL's adult librarians by working as lab assistants and assisting library patrons with their research and technology needs.

Interns who participate in the internship will receive stipends both for completing their initial training as well as for completing their library service hours. In addition, interns will also receive community service credits.

Visit BPL's official Teen Techies internship page to learn more, and submit your application by Thursday, June 19.

Get Introduced to Columbia University's Cancer Research and Learn How You Can Make Your Mark on Public Health

For students in grades 7–12
Program takes place online (via Zoom) in July 2025 on Mondays–Wednesdays, 4–5:30 PM
Cost: Free
Contact: canceredu@cumc.columbia.edu

Registration Deadline: June 23, 2025 (or whenever program hits capacity, whichever is first)

Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center's (HICCC) YES in THE HEIGHTS program is offering high school students and interested middle schoolers the chance to join the Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM) Program, a free virtual summer program that takes place in July and focuses on cancer education, public health, scientific enrichment, and professional development. In addition, registered students can join public health working groups that are focused on educating other students and their families about a number of public health-related topics.

The program runs July 1–31 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays on Zoom from 4:00 – 5:30 PM, EST. To learn more, visit the Scientific Enrichment Month program page, and submit your registration before this free program hits capacity!

View of a group of elementary-aged children inside a colorful exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History — Learn how you and your family can get free access to the American Museum of Natural History this summer by checking out some of the opportunities below! (Photo credit: American Museum of Natural History)

Apply for the Future Teachers Program with Young Minds in Motion

For high school seniors who are interested in becoming teachers
Free for students selected for the program; college scholarships available
Contact: Niyasha James at niyashaj@youngmindsinmotion.com

Application Deadline: July 1, 2025

Are you aa high school senior who is interested in becoming a teacher? The Future Teachers Program with Young Minds in Motion offers a paid, hands-on experience in early childhood and elementary education. Students will work alongside certified educators, attend career development workshops, and receive mentorship to support theitr journey into the teaching profession. The program is completely free to students, and also provides opportunities to earn scholarships for college. It is held on an ongoing basis in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Harlem.

To start the application process, email your resume to Niyasha James at niyashaj@youngmindsinmotion.com. But hurry; the application process ends on July 1, 2025—reach out today!

Get Mentored by a STEM Professional Throughout the 2025–26 School Year

For students in grades 10–12 who are interested in pursuing education in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
Mentorship would run from August 2025–May 2026
Cost: Free
Contact: cleardirectionmentoring@gmail.com

Application Deadline: July 13, 2025

Through Clear Direction Mentoring, high school students (Grades 10–12) who are interested in STEM careers can become Fellows and obtain mentors who are STEM professionals working for local City-based research institutions. Throughout the year, fellows and mentors stay in communication with one another while attending career panels, college open houses, tours of scientific laboratories, virtual reality centers, museums, tours of local tech companies, and more.

Learn more about becoming a Clear Direction Fellow by visiting Clear Direction Mentoring's official webpage, and submit your application by July 13, 2025.

Receive a Free "Discoverer" Membership to the American Museum of Natural History

For beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Membership includes free general admission to AMNH
Contact: membership@members.amnh.org or (212) 769-5606

Enroll anytime at AMNH's Member Desk between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM

Are you currently enrolled in New York State's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

If so, you're eligible to receive a free one-year Discoverer Membership from the world-class American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)! To enroll, simply stop by the museum's Member Desk between 10:00 AM and 4:30 PM and speak with a representative about enrolling—you'll then receive a digital membership card that you'll be able to begin using right away.

In addition to free general admission to AMNH, you'll also be able to gain free entry to one ticketed exhibition on every visit, and you'll be able to take advantage of the museum's extended operating hours for members, among other benefits.

Visit AMNH's official "Discoverer" membership page to learn more about these free memberships!

Discover Your City with Culture Pass

For City library cardholders (includes NYPL, BPL, and QPL)
Free admission to over 100+ NYC cultural institutions
Contact: Visit their official "Contact Us" webpage

Check listings to see what's available!

Explore local museums and other City attractions with Culture Pass, New York City's free discovery program for City library cardholders. If you have a library card from either the Brooklyn Public Library, the Queens Public Library, or the New York Public Library, you can reserve a Culture Pass online for any of 100+ cultural institutions across the five boroughs.

Visit the official Culture Pass webpage and click on the "Reserve a Pass" button to identify which library card you currently hold, and you're on your way!

Enter Gotham Writers' "I'm Obsessed" Contest and Win a Free Writing Class

For students aged 18 or older
Free to Enter
Winner notified by mid-September 2025
Contact: contact@gothamwriters.com

Registration Deadline: August 31, 2025

Do you have what some people may consider a "niche" hobby or special interest? Perhaps you're REALLY into collecting 1990s-vintage wide-legged jeans, or maybe you know everything there is to know about handheld videogames? Or maybe it's a totally made-up obsession? Either way; Gotham Writers is looking for interesting stories about your hobbies as part of its "I'm Obsessed Contest"—and the contest's winner will receive a free Gotham Writers class of their choosing!

Visit Gotham Writers' "I'm Obsessed" page to learn more about this contest, and submit your entry in 101 words or less by Sunday, August 31, 2025!

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For more opportunities like these, check out The Morning Bell every month during the school year—and don't forget to share this post with your friends, family, and colleagues!

On behalf of NYC Public Schools, we wish all of our students and families a safe, relaxing, and inspiring summer!

Banner/teaser photos by RDNE Stock Project. Original by RNDE Stock Project can be found on Pexels.

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