Opportunities for Students (October 2026)

Published October 2, 2026

It's time to add a little "pumpkin spice" to your school year.

Welcome back to Opportunities for Students—our monthly update highlighting some of the incredible events, programs, workshops, internships, special services, and more available to NYCPS students and/or their families throughout the school year!

This month, students can "hang" out and learn all about City bats with the City's Urban Park Rangers, register for free virtual tutoring through Sci-Inspire, and even learn how videogames are made. City students have great options throughout the first full month of the fall season.

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

Seeking spooky, yet safe October fun for the entire family? Stop by the Morgan Library on October 3 for a special Halloween-themed edition of Family First Saturday, or check out the Urban Park Rangers' Events webpage to learn more about free events happening at City parks near you! (Photo Credit: Mike Jones, via Pexels)

Opportunities for Students in October 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.

Have Fun in October with "Spooky" Stories at the Morgan Library's Family First Saturday

Get Tickets for Museum Admission at the Morgan Library
Cost: Free access with museum admission; admission free for children 12 and under
Contact: 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 October 3, 2026; visit the Morgan's related family event webpage to learn more.

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 October 6, 2026.
Cost: Free (includes museum admission, snacks, MetroCards/OMNY cards, 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.

Take Your Grades to the Next Level with a Virtual Tutor from Columbia University

Get Paired with a Trained Tutor Today
Cost: Free

Columbia University’s Sci-Inspire, a student-led, volunteer-based organization made up of Columbia undergraduates, is offering free one-on-one tutoring services to the City’s middle and high school students. City students can receive tutoring across a wide range of subjects, ranging from pre-calculus to college application writing. All sessions will take place weekly via Zoom.

Visit Sci-Inspire’s webpage to learn more about the program, and register your interest today by filling out Sci-Inspire’s Student Intake Form.

Learn How Videogames are Made During MOMI's Arcade Science Day of Play

Registration Recommended for the Arcade Science Day of Play Conversation
Cost: Free

On Saturday, October 17, the Museum of the Moving Image (MOMI) will host the Arcade Science Day of Play, an event for City youth that embraces the hands-on play and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ethos of many of today's innovative indie video games. During the event, students will be able to hear from leading designers and innovators about how they create their games while also being able to have hands-on experiences with crafting real life arcade components.

To learn more about MOMI's Arcade Science Day of Play, visit MOMI's official event page.

Bring Home a Pumpkin from Governors Island's Pumpkin Point 2026

Bring Your Own Bag and Be Ready to Bring Home a Pumpkin!
Cost: Free

Families are invited to Governors Island this October for Pumpkin Point 2026, the City's special annual pumpkin patch and fall festival! From October 24–25, City families can stop by Pumpkin Point in Governors Island to pick out pumpkins and take them home afterwards. While on Governors Island, families will also be able to go trick-or-treating, take ghost tours, enjoy fall foliage, and purchase autumnal drinks from local vendors.

Pumpkins will be limited to one per person, per household—we recommend you bring your own tote bag/reusable bag to hold your pumpkin. For more information, visit Governors Island's Pumpkin Point 2026 webpage.

Join Other Teens in the Fight for More Car Alternatives

Join the Transportation Alternatives Youth Activist Committee (TAYAC)
Cost: Free to Join
Contact: Lauren Newman <lauren.newman@transalt.org>

The Transportation Alternatives Youth Activist Committee (TAYAC) is seeking the next generation of teens to join the fight for car alternatives in New York City! Join TAYAC and be a part of a community of City youth who are seeking to improve public transportation, biking, or walking options right here in the five boroughs.

TAYAC meetings are held monthly on the last Friday of every month. Visit TAYAC's website to learn more.

Did you know that SNAP recipients can receive free annual memberships from both the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)? (Photo by Charlotte May; original photo can be found on Pexels)

"Fall" into the New Season with NYC Parks' 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.

With the fall season in full swing, check out the Urban Park Rangers' Events webpage to learn about events happening at City parks near you, including free canoeing lessons, historical discussions and events themed around Hispanic Heritage Month, treks through through prehistoric New York, the Italian Heritage Walk in Staten Island, and more.

Register for the 2026 NYC Transition Summit

Ready to start planning for life after high school? High school students with IEPs and/or 504 plans are invited along with their families to the Citywide Transition Summit on Saturday, November 7, where attendees will be able to receive guidance and resources for future college, career, and independent living. The event will take place at John Jay College in Manhattan, and registration is highly recommended.

Visit the Transition Summit's registration webpage to learn more about the event and to register your spot.

High School Grads: Get a Free Gift Membership from TDF for Exclusive Deals on Broadway Shows

Graduating seniors; it's time to enjoy the wonders and delights of Broadway for as little as $11!

The Theater Development Fund (TDF) is offering free TDF Memberships to high school seniors who just graduated from the City's public and charter high schools. TDF Members get exclusive deals on Broadway shows that allow members to save up 70% on tickets for over 100+ performances every day. Members also enjoy discounts and special offers from local businesses, including many restaurants—perfect for those nights out on the town!

To get your free TDF Membership, have your official OSIS number (AKA: your student ID number) handy and visit TDF's official Graduation Gift webpage.

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 10:00AM and 4:30PM 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!

Receive a Free "Explorer" Membership to the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Enroll anytime at the Met's Member Desk
Contact: membership@metmuseum.org or (212) 570-3573

SNAP recipients are also eligible to receive a free one-year Explorer Membership from the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)! To enroll, simply stop by the museum's Membership Desk 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 the Met, you'll also be able to bring a guest for free as well as children 17 years old and younger, and you'll receive special access to the Met on special 'Member Preview Days,' among other benefits.

Visit the Met's official press release about the "Explorer" membership to learn more about this new program!

We hope these opportunities help your school year into full gear! For more posts like these, including our Hispanic Heritage Month-themed reading resources and event listings, check out The Morning Bell every week, 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 memorable October!

Banner and teaser photos by Eftodii Aurelia via Pexels.

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