Entering Grades 7-9

Animal Behavior and Investigations

Are you curious about how animals behave and why they do things the way they do? In this program, you’ll delve into the science of animal behavior, learning how researchers decode the motivations behind animal actions in both natural and controlled environments. Through hands-on activities, you’ll explore key techniques used in the field, from behavioral observation to experimental design. You’ll also have the opportunity to conduct your own research project, applying these methods to investigate animal behavior firsthand. This is your chance to gain practical experience, develop critical research skills, and explore a dynamic field at the intersection of biology and psychology.

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

Program Info

Food: Lunch is provided. Teens bring a water bottle and snacks from home.
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Location: UC Berkeley Campus
Tuition: $1,465.00
Seeking Financial Aid? Learn More >

Session 1: 06/23/2025 – 06/27/2025
Optional Residential Add-on runs Sunday, June 22, 5:00 p.m. to Friday, June 27, 5:00 p.m. Residential add-on includes additional programming, on-campus housing, breakfast, and dinner. Limited spots available!
Residential Tuition: $1,255

Session 4: 07/21/2025 – 07/25/2025
No Residential Option

Sample Day

7:30 a.m.

Wake-up for residential teens!  Residential teens enjoy breakfast & walk together to campus

9:00 a.m.

All teens sign in with 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 cont.

11:45 a.m.

Lunch break in campus cafeteria Social time with teens from other tracks

12:45 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 prompts and preview of what’s ahead

 4:00 p.m.

College Pathways Programming
Campus or other tours 
Meet and talk to current college students 
Meet and talk to professionals from a range of STEM career fields

 5:00 p.m.

Commuter teens sign out with instructors
Residential teens walk together to dorms and enjoy some well deserved downtime 

 6:30 p.m.

Dinner
Evening program 
Free time

10:00 p.m.

Lights Out!

Activity Highlights

  • Wildlife observations
  • Birds of prey explorations
  • Design and conduct your own investigation
  • Tour a research lab
  • Meet and mix with teens across other STEM tracks
  • Meet and talk to students and STEM career professionals
  • Project presentations and certificates

Staff Bios

Marissa Grimes

Marissa graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2023 with a double major in Anthropology and Psychology focusing on animal behavior and primatology. While at Berkeley, she participated in Cal Band, a squirrel lab under Dr. Lucia Jacobs, and a welfare focused lab under Dr. Eileen Lacey. These experiences, and others, gave her the stepping stones to participate in a field program in South Africa after graduation. Upon return, she started a position as an Animal Care Technician before going into ABA therapy with people with Autism. 

In her spare time, she likes to find her creative side and paint, make collages, or bird toys for her two lovebirds.

Sneha Parli

Sneha is a Junior at UC Berkeley pursuing a major in Integrative Biology with a minor in Conservation & Resource Studies. Growing up in Southern India, she spent a large portion of her formative years wandering through the Western Ghats with her parents and sister, gaining a deep appreciation for the dynamic relationships between species and their environments. This ultimately ignited her passion for scientific communication, education, and research. From facilitating field-based summer camps for teenagers in India to working as an Undergraduate Learning Mentor for natural history courses at UC Berkeley and actively conducting research at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, Sneha aims to continue deepening her understanding of evolutionary ecology, animal behavior, and field ecology- all while ensuring the effective dissemination of scientific knowledge.

In her free time, she can be found craning her neck at the sky, binoculars in hand, looking at a cool bird. She also enjoys hiking at odd hours and engaging in online gaming while trying not to get bitten by her roommate’s cat.