Background

SeaTech is an after-school teen program being piloted by the Ocean Institute and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.  It is designed to help members to develop workplace, science, and computer skills that they can use in college and a career.  The project is funded by the National Science Foundation, which supports programs that encourage young scientists.  SeaTech members who were in their third year of the SeaTech program applied and were accepted into the Ocean Institute Summer Internship Program.  There was a stipend available to those interns who successfully completed the program. The program provided members with the opportunity to intern during July and August 2008 as summer interns at the Ocean Institute.  Through their internships, members developed valuable workplace skills.  Each intern worked with an Ocean Institute staff member as their supervisor to design and complete an individual project as well as work with other interns to design and complete a group project.  Projects were designed specifically for each intern depending on availability and interest.