Opportunities for Students (March 2026)

Published March 5, 2026

March might just be the perfect time for NYC students to try their luck on new opportunities!

Throughout March, NYCPS students can participate in or apply for an incredible bounty of events, services, and work opportunities that provide outstanding learning and earning experiences over the spring and summer months. Hundreds of local organizations, City agencies, businesses, and community partners like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ArtsConnection, and the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) are offering students across the five boroughs paid internships and jobs, as well as free workshops, family-friendly activities, and even a summer's worth of adventures.

Whether its participating in basketball drills with New York Knicks trainers, getting their art exhibited in corporate offices across the City, or signing up for Summer Rising 2026, City students have their choice of illuminating options to apply for and participate in this month!

Check out the following list of opportunities that are available for City students this month and beyond, and register/apply for them TODAY!

Spring Recess might be the perfect time to acquaint your family with the incredible American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Did you know that AMNH provides eligible New Yorkers with complimentary one-year Discoverer Memberships? Learn more by checking out AMNH's "Discoverer Membership page. (Photo by Alvaro Keding, AMNH. Original can be found on AMNH's website)

Opportunities for Students in March 2026

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.

Secure a Summer Internship with the School Construction Authority

Apply by March 6, 2026
Cost: Free to apply
Contact: scainternships@nycsca.org

The School Construction Authority (SCA) is seeking talented NYCPS high school students for a six-week internship with a number of SCA departments and business partner companies throughout the City. Through the Summer Internship Program (SIP), high school students are exposed to careers in various industries, including, but not limited to architecture, engineering, construction management, business, and public administration. The program provides interns with diverse in-office experiences along with career mentoring five days a week during the summer. Interns participating in the internship will earn $19–23 an hour, based on their individual grade level. A 10-hour OSHA construction safety course will be provided for students based on assignment need, prior to the start date.

To learn more, visit SCA’s internship webpage, and submit your application by March 6, 2026.

Stop By the Morgan Library for Family First Saturdays

Get Tickets for Museum Admission at the Morgan Library
Cost: Free access with museum admission; admission free for children 12 and under
Contact: Talia BarNoy <familyprograms@themorgan.org>

Explore the historic Morgan Library for an outstanding hourlong family program geared towards children! Family First Saturdays provide City families with inspired picture book read-alouds and related tours of the Morgan's impressive collections.

The next scheduled Family First Saturday will take place on March 7, 2026; visit the Morgan's related family event webpage to learn more.

Share Your Story about Life in America Today and Win Up to $500

Apply by March 8
Cost: Free to participate
Contact: youngadultservices@nypl.org

This year, the New York Public Library (NYPL) will be joining our nation in celebration of its 250th birthday by asking NYC teens, 13–18 years old, to share their stories about life in America today. NYPL's "We the Future: Teen Voices on America's 250th" contest is looking for original American stories—the story can be your tale, your family's story, your community's story, or even the story of a cause bigger than yourself!

Students who wish to participate are invited to submit written work of no more than 1,000 words, or artwork like a painting, drawling/illustration, photography, or sculpture, for the chance to win $500 and be published in a special edition of NYPL's Teen Voices magazine. Twenty runner-up winners will each receive a $250 gift card while also getting their submissions published in NYPL Teen Voices.

Visit NYPL's We the Future webpage to learn more, and send your submission by Sunday, March 8, 2026!

Make Money This Summer Through SYEP

Apply by March 13, 2026
Cost: Free to apply
Contact: (800) 246-4646

The City’s annual Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), the nation's largest youth employment program, is seeking youth between the ages of 14 and 24 for valuable (and PAID) work and career opportunities this summer. Qualified applicants who are legally allowed to work in NYC this summer can participate in project-based learning opportunities (applicants aged 14–15) or obtain paid summer work (ages 16–24).

Visit the Department of Youth and Community Development’s official SYEP webpage to learn more about this employment program, and submit your application by Friday, March 13, 2026!

Gain Invaluable Experience as an Intern for the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Apply by March 13, 2026
Program runs July 7–August 7, 2026
Cost: Free to apply
Contact: highschoolinterns@metmuseum.org

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s High School Internship Program is offering high school students with the opportunity to develop professional skills and gain paid work experience while working for one of the world’s most renown museums. Interns will have the opportunity to connect one-on-one and in small cohorts with museum professionals across a variety of fields, and earn a $1,100 stipend after successfully completing the program.

Candidates must be students in grades 10 or 11 who reside in and attend high school in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut. Students who are working towards High School Equivalency certification within these states may also apply for consideration.

Visit the Met’s High School Internship Program webpage to learn more, and submit your application by Friday, March 13, 2026.

Celebrate "Girls in Science and Engineering Day" for Free at the Intrepid Museum

Register by March 14, 2026
Event runs on March 14, 2026, 11AM–3PM
Cost: Free
Contact: youthleadership@intrepidmuseum.org

Stop by the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan on Saturday, March 14, 2026, to celebrate the twelfth annual Girls in Science and Engineering Day! This free annual festival celebrates girls and young people who are actively engaging in STEM, and this year's event will welcome a new College and Career Zone. Schools, mentors, and industry partners will be at the event sharing information about college and career pathways in aerospace industries and engineering.

Girls in Science and Engineering Day is designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers. Register online before March 14 for free admission to the Intrepid Museum!

Celebrate Women’s History Month with NYC Parks

Registration Deadlines/Requirements Vary
Events run through March 2026
Cost: Free

Throughout March, NYC Parks will host almost a dozen events in commemoration of Women’s History Month. From Zumba lessons and girls basketball clinics, to cemetery tours and racquetball, there’s a healthy and fun outdoor activity for everyone this month!

Visit the NYC Parks ‘Events’ Calendar to search for “Women’s History Month”-themed events, and take note of which ones require you to register ahead of time!

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is seeking young New Yorkers for paid work and learning opportunities this summer. If you live in NYC and are qualified to work in the City, take advantage of SYEP's extended application period this year—but don't wait long; the application closes on March 13, 2026! (Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels)

Join NYPL for a Monthlong Celebration of Women’s History

Registration Deadlines/Requirements Vary
Events run through March 2026
Cost: Free

The New York Public Library (NYPL) is hosting dozens of outstanding events throughout March for students of all ages at its branches in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island in celebration of Women’s History Month. Teens can participate in events like a creative “DIY” workshop inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe, while elementary school-aged students can conduct Marie Curie-inspired science experiments.

Check out NYPL’s Women’s History Month ‘Events’ search page to learn more about the events being held this month, and take note of which ones require you to register your place in advance!

Get to Know the Natural Side of NYC this Spring through the Urban Park Rangers

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 exhibitions commemorating women's history, spring-themed nature hikes and kid-friendly magnetic archery classes that are taking place in March. 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

Registration Deadline: ASAP
Cost: Pay-What-You-Can; no proof of income required
Contact: Dorkys Ramos <dorkys@uptownstories.org>

Expand your writing capabilities with Uptown Stories, an Uptown Manhattan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to offering afterschool and weekend-based creative writing and illustration workshops for children aged 8–18 years old. Available classes include: "Snobby Poetry," a workshop for "misfits" who love poetry and describe themselves as "liars who tell the truth;" The Elements of Fiction," where young writers between the ages of 8–12 can learn what it takes to develop great stories; and "Zine Machine" a workshop for students who are interested making "zines" the old-fashioned way: by hand! Once students lay out their first zines, they'll then mass-produce them by using a relic of the twentieth-century known as a "photocopier!"

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.

Become a Food Service Apprentice This Summer

Email Marc Mills by March 23
Apprentices earn $16.50 per hour
Contact: Marc T. Mills <MMills@schools.nyc.gov> and Samillah Feliciano <SFeliciano12@schools.nyc.gov>

NYCPS’ Office of Food and Nutrition Services is seeking Summer Apprentice Workers (SAW) to work its kitchens and cafeterias over the course of this year’s Summer Meals Program. SAWs are high school-aged employees who gain valuable food industry experience while working in our food distribution areas. Once hired, SAWs earn $16.50 per hour and work from 7:30AM–1:30PM, Monday–Friday, with 30 minutes each day for lunch.

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants will need to submit a reference letter on school letterhead from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, or assistant principal from your current high school to Marc T. Mills by March 23. Applicants should also be sure to include their contact information (e-mail, home address, phone number, etc), as well as their age and grade level alongside their reference letter. Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified by mail.

Email Marc T. Mills or Samillah Feliciano directly for questions, and send in your reference letter and contact information to Mr. Mills by 5PM on March 23, 2026.

Lock in a Season of Learning Adventures Through Summer Rising

Apply by March 27, 2026
Cost: Free
Contact: Speak with staff members at your child's school

Summer Rising, NYCPS and DYCD’s free summer learning and enrichment program for students currently in kindergarten through grade 8, is now accepting applications from City families! Summer Rising provides students with a full-day experience that blends academics with hands-on enrichment opportunities to support students’ growth both inside and outside the classroom. Research shows that programs like Summer Rising help students counter summer learning loss and keep them ready for success by the time the school year rolls around again in September.

Learn more about Summer Rising by checking out our post right here on The Morning Bell, and submit your application via MySchools by Friday, March 27, 2026!

Win the Chance to Have Your Art Showcased through ArtsConnection

Apply by March 29, 2026
Cost: Free to apply

Are you an NYCPS student in grades 6–12 who loves to make art? Thanks to ArtsConnection’s Student Art Program (SAP), you can now win the chance to have your work be part of an exhibition and even receive awards!

ArtsConnection is seeking 2D art based on the theme “Animals & Nature in the City”—selected artwork will be framed and displayed in a group exhibition at a private office space for one year, and then returned. Students whose work is selected will also win a $100 Blick or B&H Photo gift card.

Visit ArtsConnection’s SAP webpage to learn more, and submit your work and application by Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Level Up Your Arts Skills at the Guggenheim During Teen Tuesdays

Make a Reservation for Teen Tuesdays at the Guggenheim
Reservations Recommended. Next Event on April 7, 2026.
Cost: Free (includes museum admission, snacks, MetroCards and learning materials)
Contact: teenprograms@guggenheim.org

Teen Tuesdays are free programs held at the iconic Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in Manhattan that provide teenagers with the space and opportunity to expand their art-making skills while taking inspiration from the museum's current exhibitions. Participating teens will also get the chance to watch live performances and connect with other teen artists. No experience is needed to participate in Teen Tuesdays; just bring in your curiosity and imagination!

Teen Tuesdays are part of the Guggenheim's free Teen Circle Membership. Learn more about the next Teen Tuesdays event by visiting the Guggenheim's official webpage and reserving your spot for one or more sessions.

Now in its seventh year, the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship celebrates the outstanding achievements of NYCPS high school students who have demonstrated impactful support of the LGBTQ community. Consider sharing your experiences with us for your chance to win $10,000 towards college, and apply for the scholarship by April 27, 2026! (Photo by John Brown, NYCPS)

Build Your Coding Skills Over the Summer with All Star Code

Apply by April 17, 2026
Cost: Free to apply

All Star Code's Summer Intensive program is a six-week virtual technical training sprint designed for high school students who are seeking a career pathway into the tech industry. Students accepted into the program gain fluency in front-end web development, foundational AI literacy, and critical systems thinking while also receiving mentorship from tech professionals across a variety of career sectors. No prior coding experience is required to participate in this program.

Visit All Star Code's webpage to learn more about this program, and submit your application by April 17, 2026. Note that All Star Code is accepting applications on a rolling basis; early applications have a better chance of being accepted.

Use Your “Voice for Change” through Poetry

Apply by April 24, 2026
Cost: Free to participate

The NYC Criminal Justice office is hosting a poetry initiative called, “Next Verse: Voices for Change” that explores the City’s cultural and physical landscapes through the lens of public safety. They are accepting submissions this spring for poetry that explores what safety looks like, what safety feels like, and what safety smells like in NYC to you. Winners can receive up to $500 in cash prizes.

Visit NYC Criminal Justice’s webpage to learn more, and submit your application by April 24, 2026.

Win the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship

Apply by April 27, 2026
Cost: Free to apply
Contact: LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov

NYC Public Schools, the New York Yankees, and The Stonewall Inn are proud to announce that applications are open for the 2026 Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship.

Now in the program's seventh year, Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships celebrate the achievements of five graduating seniors who have demonstrated impactful support of the LGBTQ community. All graduating seniors in an NYCPS school who are planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college are eligible to apply online.

The application consists of one 500-word essay and a short answer section describing LGBTQ advocacy and leadership the applicant has displayed in either school or the community. Applicants must also submit a recommendation letter from a teacher or administrator at their school. One student from each borough will be selected, and each winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship for college. The Scholarship Committee will review all 2026 applications and name this year’s recipients in May 2026.

To learn more about this year's scholarship, visit the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship's official application webpage, and submit your application by Monday, April 27, 2026.

Learn How to Become a Leader through the UN's Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program

Apply for the United Nations' Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program
Cost: $0–$5,500, depending on need
Contact: Robert L. Sventova <rob@un.gyel.org>

The United Nations' Global Youth Excellence and Leadership Program (GYEL) provides talented and aspirational middle and high school students of all backgrounds with high quality leadership training and mentorship designed to bring out their very best for college and beyond. GYEL seeks to inspire and support future medical researchers, mathematicians, computer scientists, and Nobel Peace Prize, Pulitzer Prize, and Academy Award winners whose breakthroughs can uplift entire communities and completely redefine what is truly possible for future generations.

Learn more about GYEL, including its Needs-Based Assistance program, by visiting its official website.

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

Enroll anytime at AMNH's Member Desk between 10:00AM and 4:30PM
Contact: membership@members.amnh.org or (212) 769-5606

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!

Join a Youth Action 50 Group and Start Making an Impact on Your Community

Rolling Application; Join Today
Cost: Free to participate
Contact: Stuart Davis <stdavis@cityhall.nyc.gov>

Youth Action 50 is a citywide leadership program that empowers City public high school students to take action on the issues that matter most to them and their communities. Students meet regularly with peers and adult facilitators to build leadership skills, plan community service projects, and make their voices heard. YA50 members will gain hands-on experience in civic engagement, community organizing, and teamwork—while earning community service hours and contributing to positive change in New York City.

Apply now to join a YA50 site and become part of a citywide network of young leaders! Visit the YA50 program webpage for more information.

Become a Teen Techie at the Brooklyn Public Library

Rolling Application; Join Today
Cost: Free to apply
Contact: (718) 230-2406 or TeenTechies@bklynlibrary.org

Do you love technology and your library? Want to make a difference in your community? Looking to build your resume and gain valuable work and leadership experience? Apply to BPL's Teen Techies program!

Participants attend a two-week summer technology workshop. After completion of the summer workshop, teens volunteer a minimum of three hours per week for at least 6 months assisting library patrons and staff members. Teen Techies also have the opportunity to attend two Volunteer Forums during the year to discuss challenges and successes experienced, exchange tips on coaching, and socialize with their program peers.

Learn more and complete an online application to join the Brooklyn Public Library Teen Techie volunteer program. You can also complete a print application to become a Teen Techy (PDF) and mail it to:

Teen Techies
Volunteer Resources
Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238

For more opportunities like these, check out The Morning Bell every month during the remainder of the 2025–26 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 glorious March!

Banner/teaser photos by César O'neill. Original photo by César O'neill of three young people can be found on Pexels.

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