Attention High School Students: Summer Sessions Guide Future Leaders

Bay Area high school students are invited to apply to the Norman Mineta Bay Area Summer Academy, a five-week paid internship with MTC, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District).

The program kicks off at the Bay Area Metro Center on July 8, 2024, and over the course of the subsequent five weeks, students will learn how regional agencies deals with issues like environmental justice, housing and transportation equity, community health, and social justice. High school students are encouraged to apply before the application deadline on April 28, 2024.

MTC, ABAG, BCDC and the Air District are sponsoring the Bay Area Summer Academy to provide insights into how regional governments address these issues and how the public – including students – can help advance equity across the Bay Area. Most sessions will be conducted remotely online, with the kickoff and capstone sessions to be held in person in San Francisco at the regional agencies’ shared headquarters. 

During weekly seminars, students will learn:

• What regional agencies do and what skills are needed for a successful career in the public sector.
• How to weigh in as a member of the public on decisions that impact the air we breathe; the neighborhoods we live in; how we get to work, school, or exercise; and other factors that shape the health of our communities.
• How youth can have a voice in making decisions that benefit their communities.    
• Answers to questions such as: How long is a bridge supposed to last? Why are there so many potholes? Why is housing so expensive? Is the water really rising in the Bay?

Participating students will attend online sessions, complete quizzes, and make a brief presentation on a local challenge involving transportation, housing, environmental justice and/or related topics.

Upon completing the Bay Area Summer Academy, students will receive a certificate to include in college, vocational and/or job applications.

To apply for the Bay Area Summer Academy, students must:

• Live and attend high school in the Bay Area.
• Be at least 15 years old.
• Have completed the ninth grade by July 2024.
• Be able to attend online and in-person seminars and present on a topic related to the seminars. 
• Have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate if the student is under 18.

Enrollment is limited, and selections will emphasize a diversity of perspectives from students across the Bay Area. Grade point averages are not considered.

Learn more and to apply for the Academy. 

The Bay Area Summer Academy is named for Norman Mineta, a public servant who dedicated his life to making the Bay Area better. Mineta was a San Jose City Council member and mayor, represented the South Bay in Congress, and served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Throughout his accomplished life, he cared deeply about creating educational and career avenues for the next generation of public servants. MTC is proud to honor his memory by inspiring youth to become public servants.