Summer Experience at West (Residential and Non-Residential)

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About the Summer Experience Programs

Join us for the ASU Summer Experience at West where students entering grades 9-12 will participate in unique, college-prep experiences! Participants will enjoy interactive activities that may include research, laboratory visits, presentations, seminars, college-major explorations and panel discussions led by current ASU students and faculty.

Students may select from two sessions:

Residential Session (Overnight Experience)

June 4th, 2019 – June 6th, 2019 
Session I (entering 11th and 12th grade) 
Cost: $100

The Residential Program is an overnight experience where students will stay in the residential halls. Includes all meals. Students will participate in workshops and explore topics in the following areas: psychology, social justice, exercise and wellness, and nutrition.

Residential Check-in: June 4th, 2019 at 9 a.m. 
Closing Ceremony: June 6th, 2019 at 10 a.m. 
Residential Checkout: June 6th, 2019 at noon

Learning Communities Session I

Attendees will have the opportunity to rank their preference of learning communities during the registration process.

The Psychology and Music across the Lifespan learning community theme is “Psychology, Music, and the Brain throughout the Lifespan”. Topics may include: How does music affect prenatal and infant memory and behavior? How do different types of music and videos influence children’s and teens’ emotions and behavior? How is music used by adults in their daily lives? Can music be used as psychological therapy for senior citizens?

The Exercise and Wellness learning community theme is “The Positive Effects of Exercise beyond Physical Health.” Topics may include: Can exercise reduce the risks of degenerative mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s? How does exercise affect our health and quality of life? How does exercise enhance thinking (cognitive) and learning (behavioral) functions and influence social (peer) interactions?

“The Mathematics and Science behind diseases”. Topics may include: How to use STEM to solve real world problems? How can mathematics and physiology help us understand certain diseases of the eye?  How Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a group of inherited degenerative eye diseases caused by genetic mutations in the eye’s photoreceptors, can often lead to total blindness? How can mathematics help us comprehend all the different things that have to go wrong along the way as the RP disease gradually leads to complete blindness? How can science help us to figure out what to do to prevent this outcome? How mathematics combined with computer simulations are used to study many problems in biology and medicine, ranging from how to treat cancer, to how predict disease outbreaks, to how infections like the flu spread?

The Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles theme is “How does what we eat and how we Live Affect Our Lifestyle and Health over the Lifespan?” Topics may include: How can substance and drug abuse affect overall health of individuals and their children? What products should our diet focus on for positive current and long-term physical and mental health outcomes?    

Daytime Session (Non-Residential)

June 11th, 2019 – June 13th, 2019
Session II (entering 9th-12th grade) 
Cost: $50
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. each day

The Daytime program allows students to participate in interactive workshops and explore the following topics: psychology and leadership, forensic psychology, political philosophy, and sustainability. Students in the daytime program provide their own lunch (either from home or for purchase at ASU's dining facility) and are responsible for their own transportation.

Learning Communities Session II

Attendees will have the opportunity to rank their preference of learning communities during the registration process.

The Law/Forensic Psychology learning community theme is “Defining and Discussing Psychology in the Courtroom”. Topics may include: What are some common issues affecting psychology and law? How accurate is eye witness testimony? How do psychologists determine a person’s mental competence to stand trial? How are child custody cases handled? How do psychologists profile serial killers. Comparing the Arizona Insanity Clause to similar laws in other states.

The Bio-Sustainability learning community theme is “How Should our Current and Past Consumer and Waste Practices be Modeled in Order to Preserve a Healthier, more a Vibrant, and Viable Ecosystem for Future Generations to Inherit?”  Topics may include: How do we support and implement clean city initiatives? How do we ensure native wildlife protection and preservation in the fact of urban sprawl? How do we produce and utilize biofuels for protection of vital natural resources? How do we maintain water and air quality?  How do we address macro-level sustainability issues including global warming and climate change?

The Psychology of Leadership and Success learning community theme is “Are Leaders Born or Made?” How is “leadership” defined? What does leadership research focus on from a psychological perspective? Is good leadership innate (biological) or learned (environmental)? What are some of the psychological qualities and behavioral practices that make good leaders effective?

The Mathematics of Games and Strategies learning community theme is "What can mathematics say about games, winning, cooperation and elections?"  Topics may include: What determines how hard a game is? What is the most fair casino game? Is there a best way to vote in an election with more than one candidate? How are ongoing relationships different than one-time only relationships? What does it mean to play a game like poker perfectly?

Priority deadline is April 1st, 2019. 
Scholarships available. 
Minimum enrollment fee of $25. 
Sign-up today! 

For questions about the program, please email Elizabeth Vasquez at evasque9@asu.edu or call 480-965-7506.