The Blue Minds Academy
Australia's 8 week high school accelerator, developing environmental changemakers across the nation.
Your journey to impact starts here
8 WEEKS
The Blue Minds Academy is an 8-week online leadership accelerator that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to turn their passion for the ocean and environment into real-world action.
By the end of the program, every participant has developed a tangible ocean or environmental project, expanded their professional network, and gained the tools to continue creating lasting lasting impact long after the Academy concludes.
From turtle conservation and microplastics solutions to youth advisory councils and volunteering initiatives, these emerging leaders are turning passion into real-world impact.
Program Structure
Part 1: Upskill with Experts
Part 2: Action Project Development
Part 3: Coaching
Part 4: Pitch your Project
Part 5: Join the Alumni Community
Coaching Team
Meet the mentors that support students to go from ideas to impact
Past Presenters
A key part of this accelerator is turning knowledge into action. That's why we connect young leaders with experts to share their insights each week.
Opportunities as an Academy Alumni
After eight weeks of creating your own environmental project, your journey is only just beginning.
Blue Minds is excited to partner with Ocean Lovers’ FishTank Competition, part of the Ocean Smart Schools program, to help young people take their ideas to the next level.
Ocean Lovers is Australia’s leading platform for ocean engagement and action, connecting students, schools, scientists, innovators, industry and community through education, festivals and real-world opportunities for impact.
FishTank gives students the chance to develop, pitch and showcase innovative solutions to real ocean challenges, with opportunities to win prizes, gain expert support and elevate their projects through the Ocean Lovers platform.
Together, Blue Minds and Ocean Lovers are creating Australia’s national youth ocean innovation pathway, from learning and leadership to innovation, collaboration and real-world impact.
Meet the 2026 Academy
Cohort 1
Esther Klerck
Alice Springs NT
Charlotte Gallace
Mornington Peninsula VIC
Arya Tripathi
Nirja Shah
Amelia Dumesny
Benjamin Graetz
Gabrielle Eveleigh
Milla Arklay
Jonah Grimshaw
Bronte Halden
Haruto Okawa
Siani Symons
Stephanie Spark
Cedric Gernert
Application Deadline
Email alyssa@surfersforclimate.org.au with any application questions.
Have a project idea for our planet but don’t know how to start or need help taking the next step?
Frequently Asked Questions
This Academy is 100% free, and we aim to help introduce your project and idea to funding sources for greater support.
Participants will develop practical skills in leadership, project development, storytelling and environmental action. Students will receive mentorship from experienced changemakers, connect with other young ocean leaders across Australia, and finish the program with a clear action plan to bring their idea to life.
The program is open to young Australians aged 14 - 22 who are passionate about protecting the ocean and creating positive change in their communities. Students should have an idea for a project they would like to develop, whether it’s a campaign, community initiative, business idea, research project or creative storytelling concept.
- You will take part in a two-hour workshop which includes 45 minutes of a guest speaker and Q&A session with a leader in the ocean space, followed by an hour and a quarter to learn a new skill and work on your project.
Three 30-minute one-on-one coaching calls throughout the eight-week period.
Places in the Blue Minds Academy are limited to a small national cohort to ensure each participant receives meaningful mentorship and support. Each intake selects around 15 students from across Australia, creating a tight-knit community of motivated young people committed to taking action for the ocean. There will be multiple intakes throughout the year.
The Blue Minds Academy runs over 8 weeks, with a weekly 90-minute online workshop bringing the cohort together to learn from mentors and guest speakers. In addition to the workshop, students should expect to spend around 1-2 hours per week developing their idea or project, applying what they learn, and connecting with mentors or other participants.