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Investigate how minds and social situations shape behavior in this 2-week program for middle school students on Georgetown University’s campus.
Course Description
The same person can act differently with a different group. Everyday moments like joining in, remembering something, or working toward a goal give psychologists plenty to investigate.
In this course your student will explore how psychologists build explanations and test them through research. Neuroscience connects the brain with behavior; learning, motivation, memory, and cognition help explain how people take in information and use it. Discussions and activities link those ideas with social influence, health, and well-being.
A person’s goals, past experience, identity, and surroundings can all affect what they notice or do. Your student will compare explanations and look closely at psychological claims, asking how the evidence was gathered and what it supports. The focus is on concepts and research, not diagnosing themselves or other people. They’ll gain a more thoughtful way to ask about behavior without assuming the first explanation is the whole story.
This two-week course for middle school students takes place at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The program is developed by Georgetown University and offered in partnership with Summer Discovery. Residential and commuter options are available.
What You Will Do
• Compare how psychologists explain and study behavior
• Examine connections between the brain and behavior
• Explore how learning, memory, and motivation affect choices
• Discuss how groups and situations influence people
• Connect psychology with health and well-being
• Check the evidence behind a psychological claim
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Describe how the brain, learning, and memory relate to behavior
• Explain how a person and their situation can affect what happens
• Ask how a psychological claim was studied and whether the evidence supports it
You’ll leave with experience examining psychological claims and research and a certificate of completion.
Why Social Psychology Skills Matter
A quick explanation for someone’s behavior can miss the situation around them. Looking at memory, motivation, and group influence helps students consider what else might be happening before jumping to a conclusion.
Asking how a claim was tested adds another useful habit. Students can bring that question to information they encounter online, in class, or in conversation, and look for evidence before deciding what to believe.
Who Should Attend?
For students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
For students who wonder why people follow a group or remember the same event differently, this course offers a closer look. Your student will explore familiar experiences through psychology, compare possible explanations, and ask what the research can tell them.
The course is educational rather than clinical. Students are not expected to share personal experiences or diagnose themselves or others.
Your Summer at Georgetown University
Studying on Georgetown University’s campus gives middle-school students a memorable place to learn, have fun, and experience campus life in Washington, D.C. The historic campus sits near embassies, institutions, and public conversations that make the wider world feel close, even when the course itself is not connected to government or policy.
The program combines active academics with friendships, campus activities, clear routines, and support as students navigate a new environment. Students can try unfamiliar subjects, share ideas with peers, and build confidence through a structured summer experience. For families, the program offers an engaging balance of learning and fun, with the community and guidance younger students need as they develop independence and discover what they may want to explore next.
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive