For students currently in grades 9–12
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Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

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Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Iceland

Climate Science & Carbon Capture

July 15 — July 27
$7,790 + airfare

Iceland

Climate Science & Carbon Capture

July 15 — July 27
$7,790 + airfare

With receding glaciers, increasing ocean acidification, and a commitment to renewable energy, Iceland is both experiencing the ongoing impacts of climate change and sitting at the cutting edge of the development of new ideas and innovative solutions. This summer, dive into climate issues and climate science with professionals in the field. Along the way, experience the wonders of Iceland: trek on glaciers, soak in thermal pools, and hike to soaring waterfalls. Return home with a better understanding of atmospheric carbon, carbon capture technologies, and the career possibilities in renewable energy, power distributions, environmental policy, and more.

• Go behind the scenes with geologists at a geothermal power plant
• Straddle two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park
• Scout for puffins, whales, and seals as you kayak through pristine waters
• Learn directly from geoengineers, volcanologists, glaciologists, and foresters
“He had an incredible time, and was thrilled to be with so many like-minded students learning various aspects of climate change.”
—Tracy T., Boulder, CO
Featured

Expert

An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
2025 Expert will be announced soon!
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Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavik, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Reykjavik & The Golden Circle — 4 days

Begin your program in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, with an in-depth program orientation and get to know your fellow travelers and group leaders. Explore Reykjavík’s eclectic cafes, and visit the ruins of a Viking household excavated downtown. Then head east into the interior highlands and travel the iconic Golden Circle. Go behind the scenes with geologists at the Hellisheidi Power Plant to learn how Iceland harnesses geothermal energy for sustainable living. Visit the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, walk between two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park, and witness the steaming eruptions at Geysir.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 5 days

Continue your journey north, make a hiking pit stop at Glymur, one of the country’s highest waterfalls, then explore the black-sand beaches of Djupalon and Dritvik to learn the stories of the ancient lifting stones. Kayak past famous Mt. Kirkjufell, then don crampons and ice picks to trek on the Snaefellsjokull glacier with expert guides. Compare this terrain to the nearby site of Iceland’s first “extinct” glacier, and learn why Icelanders foresee a future in which all glaciers might follow this path. As you experience these landscapes up close, continue to dive deeper in discussions on the capabilities, challenges, and ever-improving technologies to capture and store atmospheric carbon.

Reykjavik — 2 days

Return to Reykjavik, share your capstone project with your group, and enjoy a final celebration dinner together before returning home.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Reykjavik to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Itinerary

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Departure — Travel Day

Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavik, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Reykjavik & The Golden Circle — 4 days

Begin your program in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, with an in-depth program orientation and get to know your fellow travelers and group leaders. Explore Reykjavík’s eclectic cafes, and visit the ruins of a Viking household excavated downtown. Then head east into the interior highlands and travel the iconic Golden Circle. Go behind the scenes with geologists at the Hellisheidi Power Plant to learn how Iceland harnesses geothermal energy for sustainable living. Visit the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, walk between two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park, and witness the steaming eruptions at Geysir.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula — 5 days

Continue your journey north, make a hiking pit stop at Glymur, one of the country’s highest waterfalls, then explore the black-sand beaches of Djupalon and Dritvik to learn the stories of the ancient lifting stones. Kayak past famous Mt. Kirkjufell, then don crampons and ice picks to trek on the Snaefellsjokull glacier with expert guides. Compare this terrain to the nearby site of Iceland’s first “extinct” glacier, and learn why Icelanders foresee a future in which all glaciers might follow this path. As you experience these landscapes up close, continue to dive deeper in discussions on the capabilities, challenges, and ever-improving technologies to capture and store atmospheric carbon.

Reykjavik — 2 days

Return to Reykjavik, share your capstone project with your group, and enjoy a final celebration dinner together before returning home.

Return — Travel Day

Fly from Reykjavik to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.

Featured

Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

CropCICE Braelei Hardt_2
Braelei Hardt
View Bio
CropCICE Sanjeev Menon_6
Sanjeev Menon
View Bio
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Featured

Leaders

Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program. 

CropCICE Braelei Hardt_2
Braelei Hardt
View Bio
CropCICE Sanjeev Menon_6
Sanjeev Menon
View Bio
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About the Destination

Located just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is known for its glaciers, lava fields, geothermal pools, black-sand beaches, fjords, towering plateaus, active volcanoes, and remnants of intense glaciation from the last ice age. The national population is approximately 360,000, and the capital and cultural hub of Reykjavík on the island’s southwest coast is home to one in four Icelandic citizens. Iceland's perimeter is dotted with picturesque towns and villages that are connected by a ring road that is popular with travelers.

Language

Icelandic is the official language of Iceland; however, English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Climate

Summer days are long at the edge of the Arctic Circle (averaging 19 hours of daylight per day!), with brisk temperatures around 50–60°F (10–16°C) and occasional rain and wind.

Cuisine

Fish, lamb, potatoes, skyr (Icelandic yogurt), vegetables, and fruit are typical in the Icelandic diet.

About the Destination

Located just below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is known for its glaciers, lava fields, geothermal pools, black-sand beaches, fjords, towering plateaus, active volcanoes, and remnants of intense glaciation from the last ice age. The national population is approximately 360,000, and the capital and cultural hub of Reykjavík on the island’s southwest coast is home to one in four Icelandic citizens. Iceland's perimeter is dotted with picturesque towns and villages that are connected by a ring road that is popular with travelers.

Language

Icelandic is the official language of Iceland; however, English is widely spoken throughout the country.

Climate

Summer days are long at the edge of the Arctic Circle (averaging 19 hours of daylight per day!), with brisk temperatures around 50–60°F (10–16°C) and occasional rain and wind.

Cuisine

Fish, lamb, potatoes, skyr (Icelandic yogurt), vegetables, and fruit are typical in the Icelandic diet.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Program Theme

Whether your goal is to pursue a career in climate science, renewable energy, environmental science, engineering, or climate communications, this summer program provides opportunities to dive deep into issues of climate change and the evolving technologies of carbon capture. Learn about how climate continues to impact the landscapes and communities of Iceland; get a firsthand look at Iceland’s renewable energy capabilities, and discuss with scientists and experts the opportunities and challenges of carbon capture and storage as a response to climate impacts.

Independent Project

Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—explore Iceland’s approach to green energy (over 85% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources), become an expert on Viking folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, or interview a fisherman on the ways their livelihood is evolving with the warming waters and changing climates.

Physical Activity

This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about being outside and trying all activities.

Accommodations

Students stay in doubles to quadruples in a mix of hostels and small, family-run guesthouses. Leaders have singles in the same locations as students. Breakfasts are often taken on-site, with lunches and dinners out in cafes and restaurants.

Meals

We eat meals either at our accommodations, on-the-go during our daily excursions, or at local restaurants. Oftentimes, we form cooking and cleaning crews to help with meal preparations and cleanup.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Program Theme

Whether your goal is to pursue a career in climate science, renewable energy, environmental science, engineering, or climate communications, this summer program provides opportunities to dive deep into issues of climate change and the evolving technologies of carbon capture. Learn about how climate continues to impact the landscapes and communities of Iceland; get a firsthand look at Iceland’s renewable energy capabilities, and discuss with scientists and experts the opportunities and challenges of carbon capture and storage as a response to climate impacts.

Independent Project

Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—explore Iceland’s approach to green energy (over 85% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources), become an expert on Viking folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, or interview a fisherman on the ways their livelihood is evolving with the warming waters and changing climates.

Physical Activity

This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about being outside and trying all activities.

Accommodations

Students stay in doubles to quadruples in a mix of hostels and small, family-run guesthouses. Leaders have singles in the same locations as students. Breakfasts are often taken on-site, with lunches and dinners out in cafes and restaurants.

Meals

We eat meals either at our accommodations, on-the-go during our daily excursions, or at local restaurants. Oftentimes, we form cooking and cleaning crews to help with meal preparations and cleanup.

A Day in the Life: Iceland

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Iceland.
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with our guesthouse hosts
9:00am
Discuss Iceland’s approach to renewable energy development with your expert
12:00pm
Have lunch with your group near the Snæfellsjokull Glacier
2:00pm
Walk the rugged coastline between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on capstone projects, or relax
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the public baths to soak in the geothermally-heated, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule

A Day in the Life:
Iceland

Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Iceland.
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with our guesthouse hosts
9:00am
Discuss Iceland’s approach to renewable energy development with your expert
12:00pm
Have lunch with your group near the Snæfellsjokull Glacier
2:00pm
Walk the rugged coastline between Arnarstapi and Hellnar
5:00pm
Journal, read, work on capstone projects, or relax
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at our accommodations or a local restaurant
7:00pm
Head to the public baths to soak in the geothermally-heated, mineral-rich water
9:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“This program elevated his understanding for a variety of issues, from science to global policies, that impact where the world heads with climate change. His eyes opened up even more, he came home fired up, inspired, and ready to make more changes happen! As parents, what more can we ask for?”
—Sandra L, Moraga, CA
smorb_leader-group_juliana_gutierrez_gregorio_rojas-scaled-e1668706440727

Program Directed by

Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

smorb_leader-group_juliana_gutierrez_gregorio_rojas-scaled-e1668706440727

Program Directed by

Juliana Gutierrez & Gregorio Rojas

If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!

Enroll in two programs & save $1,000!

$800 tuition discount + no application fee