Teenagers are being encouraged to immerse themselves in the world of marine science by taking part in underwater research with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences.

BIOS is offering students the opportunity to work alongside its scientists through Marine Science Internships. The Waterstart Programme is open to 12- to 13-year-olds, and scholarships are being sponsored at each of the Island's middle schools by Lines Overseas Management (LOM) and the Bank of Bermuda Foundation.

The students will snorkel, kayak, windsurf and even scuba dive to access research sites, earning diving qualifications — such as an Underwater Naturalist, along the way.

BIOS has teamed up with Waterstart, a non-profit company, to launch the project. And children aged ten to 14 can also gain a foundation in marine science through a Marine Investigations beginners' day camp — which includes windsurfing.

The Waterstart Programme lasts two weeks, during which time the students will live in dorms on the BIOS campus.

They will help to survey seagrass beds, investigate the rate of herbivory by reef fish and take part in a coral reef transect.

In addition, they will be able to study plankton under the microscope, count fish species at reef sites, and snorkel at night to observe invertebrates.

There is also the chance to survey rare mollusks, tag octopi, and help in the reforestation of Cooper's Island.

The first attendees of the summer programme are: Chrisante Bean, Sandys Secondary Middle School; Mahkayla Todd, T.N. Tatum Middle School; Waverly Moran, Dellwood Middle School; Hans Peter Roser, Whitney Institute Middle School;

Shauntae Young, Clearwater Middle School; Ashley Allen, Bermuda Institute; Alex Godfrey, Saltus Grammar School; Michelle Saunders, Bermuda High School for Girls; Kyle Burgess, Mount Saint Agnes Academy; Joshua Stevens, Somersfield Academy; and Dominick Wright, Warwick Academy.

Teachers were asked to recommend students who displayed motivation, aptitude and interest in marine science and/or the environment.