Summer Springboard
Middle School Psychology & Neuroscience
ON THE CAMPUS OF UC SAN DIEGO
THIS PROGRAM COMBINES ACADEMIC COURSES, INTERACTIVE LABS, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO GIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS A SUPPORTIVE, FUN, AND ENRICHING SUMMER EXPERIENCE.
THIS IS A ONE-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Middle School Psychology & Neuroscience
- Examine how the mind and brain connect to human behavior through immersive academic exercises.
- Delve into human behavior questions using hands-on activities for deeper experiential understanding.
- Evaluate treatment approaches for various mental health issues affecting millions worldwide.
- Dissect real brain specimens, like sheep brains and cow spinal cords, to learn neuroscience first-hand.
- Meet and interact with clinical psychologists, neuroscientists, and other industry professionals.
- Participate in interactive lab experiments to explore brain function, memory, and decision-making processes.
Summer Springboard
Middle School Psychology & Neuroscience
About This Course
This program is a jam-packed week for middle school students interested in being introduced to the field of psychology.
This program offers students who are interested in pursuing a career in psychology and neuroscience an exploration of how psychologists study and understand how people work.
Students will explore social dynamics, emotions, personality, the nature of beliefs and the relationship between the mind, brain and body.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Explore marine ecosystems and anatomy through hands-on dissections, field activities like tidepooling and aquarium visits, while collaborating with marine biology professionals.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“The experience was very fun. The classes were well prepared and organized. The excursions planned were cool as well. Overall, the experience of this camp was amazing!”
– Alexis W. | SSB Middle School Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Middle School Psychology & Neuroscience
Meet Your Instructor
Caryn Kseniya Rubanovich is a doctoral candidate in the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology receiving research training under the mentorship of Dr. Cinnamon Bloss. She is the recipient of over 15 awards, honors, scholarships, and recognitions. Caryn’s research focuses on the ethical, legal, and social implications of emerging technologies in clinical care as well as the societal-level impact of technology more broadly. Most recently, she has been working on topics such as the psychosocial impacts of genetic ancestry testing; psychometric development and evaluation of a self-report measure of health information privacy; and empathic, compassionate, and socially just medical education and training.
She received her M.S. in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, and her A.B. in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. In her free time, you can find her trying out a new recipe, sipping on a coffee, or posting on Bluesky as @MedEmpathy, a handle she founded aimed at “connecting clinicians, patients & caregivers, one story at a time.
CARYN RUBANOVICH
Summer Springboard
Middle School Psychology & Neuroscience
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 28 – July 3, 2026 |
| Session 2: July 5 – July 10, 2026 |
| Session 3: July 12 – July 17, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition:$2,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $1,498 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: San Diego |
| State: California |
| Campus: UC San Diego |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.