Environmental Careers Preparedness Program at CoSEE

Overview

The Environmental Careers Preparedness Program (EnCAP) is a federally funded, multi-tiered initiative designed to prepare the next generation of students and educators for green career pathways in Washington State. Developed by an interdisciplinary team of scholars at the University of Washington Bothell, EnCAP features three core modules co-designed to integrate diverse academic perspectives.

Our current EnCAP faculty team includes:

Dr. Cynthia Chang, Plant Ecology
Dr. Ching-In Chen, Creative Writing
Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, Salmon Ecology and Conservation
Dr. Amy Lambert, Restoration Ecology & Visual Arts
Dr. Santiago Lopez, Geography, Remote Sensing & GIS
Dr. Michelle Price, Insect Biodiversity

Participating faculty receive stipends for module design and implementation. If you are a current UWB faculty or staff member interested in joining a future EnCAP educator cohort, please contact Veronica Cassone McGowan (vmcgowan@uw.edu) for application details.

High School Scholars Program

Rising 10th–12th grade students are invited to apply to the University of Washington Bothell Environmental Careers Preparedness Summer Scholars Program. Selected students will participate in a five-week, interdisciplinary, field-based experience focused on exploring the range, impact, and diversity of green career pathways in Washington State. The program is led by UWB faculty and supported by undergraduate research assistants.

In addition to hands-on field research, students will engage in field trips and participate in green career panels featuring local industry and community professionals.

EnCAP is a fully funded, credit-bearing program. Students who successfully complete the course will earn 3 UW credits through UW Continuum College. Title I–eligible students will also receive a $500 participation stipend.

*Note: We have currently accepted your 2025 cohort of summer scholars. Please check back in Winter 2026 if you are interested in applying to the next cohort of scholars.

EnCAP Undergraduate research & teaching assistantship

The EnCAP Undergraduate Research and Teaching Assistantship consists of two main components:

First, students participate in a 3-credit EnCAP seminar during spring quarter, where they learn the foundations of interdisciplinary, place-based research and teaching. As part of the seminar, students design a field-based research module to co-teach during the summer program.
The second component is a five-week paid assistantship in July, during which students co-lead and support EnCAP faculty in delivering the High School Summer Scholars Program.

Ideal candidates have an interest in working with youth and conducting independent, field-based research in any discipline.

*Note: Applications for the 2025 undergraduate cohort are now closed. Please check back in Winter 2026 to apply.

Educator professional development

Washington State K–12 teachers are invited to engage with EnCAP in several ways. A limited number of $200 grants are available for educators who participate in summer field-based modules during the High School Summer Scholars Program in July. Teachers may choose the module(s) that align with their interests and use project work time to adapt the content for their own classrooms.

To apply for the 2025 educator cohort, please contact vmcgowan@uw.edu for more information.

The EnCAP team also shares adapted versions of these modules at local school district summer institutes and workshops. If you’re interested in inviting a member of the UWB EnCAP team to your district’s event, please reach out to vmcgowan@uw.edu.

*Note: The EnCAP team is unavailable for events during the month of July.

EnCAP in the News

Fostering diverse pathways to green jobs

Aug 30, 2024

The Environmental Careers Preparedness program welcomes high school students to learn about the range, impacts and diversity of green career pathways.

UW Bothell receives $800k for programs leading to green-economy careers

Jan 12, 2023

An initiative at UW Bothell to prepare the next generation of students for the green economy has received funding secured by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01).