Entering Grades 7-9

Animal Behavior and Investigations

Are you curious about why animals behave the way they do? Scientists explore this fascinating field where biology (the study of living things) and psychology (the study of the mind) come together. In this program, you’ll dive into the science of animal behavior and learn how researchers observe, describe, and figure out what drives animal actions in both natural habitats and in environments that have been changed for experiments. You’ll even get to design and carry out your own animal observation study! This is your chance to gain practical experience, develop critical research skills, and explore a dynamic research field.

Parents are invited at 4 p.m. on the last day for teens to share their projects.

Program Info

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $1,550
Food: Lunch is provided. Students bring a water bottle and snacks from home.

Dates

Session 2: 06/22/2026 – 06/26/2026
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, June 21, 4:00 p.m. to Friday, June 26, 5:00 p.m.
Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner.
Residential Tuition: $1,350, Limited spots available!
Optional residential add-on

Session 3: 07/06/2026 – 07/10/2026
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, July 5, 4:00 p.m. to Friday, July 9, 5:00 p.m.
Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner.
Residential Tuition: $1,350, Limited spots available!
Optional residential add-on

Sample Day

7:30 a.m.

Last wake-up call for residential teens!

7:55 a.m.

Residential teens walk to dining room and enjoy breakfast

8:45 a.m.

Teens walk together to campus

9:00 a.m.

Residential and commuter teens sign in with STEM Instructors
Welcome activities and icebreakers
Opening Circle — group check-in and framing the day
Explore STEM concepts and hands-on investigations in your track
Mid-morning break with teens from other tracks
Hands-on investigations and exploration continued

11:45 a.m.

All teens enjoy lunch break in campus dining room

1:00 p.m.

Continued investigations and explorations in your track
Various lab tours and guest speakers
Afternoon break with teens from other tracks
Closing Circle — reflection and preview of what’s ahead

4:00 p.m.

Pathways Program — Campus or other lab tours / Meet and talk to current college students / Meet and talk to professionals from a range of STEM career fields

5:00 p.m.

Residential and commuter teens sign out with STEM Instructors

5:15 p.m.

Residential teens sign in with RAs and walk to dorms

5:30 p.m.

Residential teens enjoy some well deserved downtime or socialize in lounge

6:30 p.m.

Residential teens walk to dining room and enjoy dinner

7:30 p.m.

Evening Program — full group or small group choice activities: exploring downtown Berkeley, board games, or dorm trivia/olympics

8:45 p.m.

Free social time in the lounge, fitness center, music room, or in dorm rooms

9:50 p.m.

Clean up

10:00 p.m.

End of programming for residential teens

Activity Highlights

  • Wildlife observations
  • Birds of prey explorations
  • Design and conduct your own investigation
  • Tour a research lab
  • Field trip to the Lawrence (transportation provided)
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations and The Lawrence Hall of Science UC Berkeley certificate