AU Brain Camp

2025 Camp Dates & Information Coming in December 2024

Rising 11th – 12th Grade

Not many people have seen their own brain, much less studied their brain. However, high school students will have the opportunity of a lifetime this summer when the Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts hosts their annual Auburn University Brain Camp.

Brain Camp is a fun, interactive camp for young leaders who are rising juniors and seniors in high school, or about to enter their freshman year of college to get hands-on experience using advanced technology and to learn from distinguished professors in the field of neuroscience. Students will be led by two faculty members in the Department of Psychological Sciences – Jeff Katz, Ph.D. (Mike and Leann Rowe Endowed Professor), and Jen Robinson, Ph.D., (Alumni Professor), and high school psychology teacher, Ms. Kathy Dodgen.

Students will practice different techniques used by neuroscientists, such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), which allows for the mapping of the brain’s neural tracks and assists in constructing 3-D replicas of the brain. The most memorable experience will be an introduction to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The Department of Psychological Sciences partners with the Auburn University MRI Research Center to give each student* the chance to have their brain scanned. Students who participate in the scanning will have a chance to map their own brain!

Pending funding decisions, scholarships may be available to offset the costs of the camp.

*= Campers and their parents will have to complete an MRI safety screening form in order to participate in the brain scanning. Students who have braces or permanent retainers will not be eligible to have their brain scanned.

Camp participants will experience campus-life while residing in Auburn's resident dormitories, eating at campus dining facilities, and enjoying evening social and recreational activities. Campers will have 24/7 counselor supervision.

HOUSING:

Campers will reside in the Hill Dormitories. They are designed in suites consisting of two double-occupancy rooms connected by a bathroom.

MEALS:

Meals will be provided at The Edge at Central Dining. All dietary restrictions and allergies are taken into consideration for each meal.

FACILITIES:

The instructional activities and hands-on experiences for this camp will be held at the Auburn University MRI Research Center (AUMRIRC).

Jennifer Robinson
Jennifer Robinson
Alumni Professor

Jen Robinson received her B.A. in Psychology and Biochemistry, as well as her M.A. and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, under the guidance of Heath Demaree, Ph.D. She completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in psychiatric neuroimaging at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio under the mentorship of David Glahn, Ph.D. Following her postdoctoral fellowship, Dr. Robinson joined Scott & White Healthcare and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine where she established and directed the functional neuroimaging program. Dr. Robinson joined Auburn University in August of 2012 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. Her research primarily involves using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and high field MRI to investigate the interplay of emotions and cognition, and how stress hormones may contribute to these mechanisms.


Jeff Katz
Dr. Jeff Katz
Mike and Leann Rowe Endowed Professor

Dr. Katz's research focuses on the comparative mechanism of learning and cognition. Ongoing projects involve behavioral and functional neuroimaging (fMRI) methods to investigate change detection, visual search, same/different concept learning, and the mechanisms by which pigeons learn matching to sample. He has been honored with the APA's Division 3 (Experimental Psychology) 2001 Young Investigator Award, Outstanding Professor - Auburn University Panhellenic Council (2003), Psi Chi Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching - Department of Psychology Auburn University (2002), College of Liberal Arts Early Career Teaching Award, Auburn University (2004-2005), Who's Who Among America's Teachers (2002, 2004, 2005), and an Auburn University Alumni Professorship (2006-2011). He has a history of teaching and research grants from the NSF and NIMH.

Applications

Applications will open on December 1, 2023 at 9AM and will close on March 15, 2024.

For your application you will need:

  • Basic contact information for yourself and parent/guardian
  • Recent school transcript or report card (unofficial is sufficient)
  • Letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, or principal
  • Responses to each question (1500 characters or less)
  1. Briefly describe your plans for college and beyond.
  2. Briefly explain why you would like to be admitted to this program.
  3. Briefly explain what interests you about the brain.

PLEASE NOTE: The only documents that need to be uploaded as a PDF are transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Apply Now


Camp Fees are $705 and include the following items:
  • On campus housing
  • All meals, snacks and drinks while at camp
  • Program instruction, materials and equipment
  • Transportation to and from off-campus field-trip sites
  • Recreational activities

Cancellation:

All cancellation requests must be submitted via email. Please send your request to opce@auburn.edu.

Cancellation Procedure:

  1. Cancellation request received at least 6 weeks prior to the start date of the program: Full refund, less $100.
  2. Cancellation request received less than 6 weeks but at least 3 weeks prior to the program start date: Refund of 50%
  3. Cancellation request received less than 3 weeks prior to the program start date or “no show”: No refund.

Note: Refunds will be issued to the individual/organization who made the original payment.

What to Bring to Camp:

Please pack lightly – but do not forget to bring bedding, a towel, and toiletries.

Campers should refrain from bringing no more than one (1) suitcase and one (1) personal sized bag to camp.

Dorm Room:
  • XL twin sheets/thick blanket or sleeping bag and pillow
  • Alarm Clock
  • Phone Charger
Toiletries:
  • Shampoo/Conditioner
  • Body Wash
  • Toothbrush and Toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Bath Towel
  • Hairbrush
Clothing & Shoes:
  • T-shirts: Loose fitting, tank tops must have straps three fingers wide and cover all undergarments
  • Shorts: At least 3.5” inseam
  • One (1) pair of jeans/long pants
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Pajamas
  • Tennis Shoes: We walk up to 6 miles daily!
  • Closed toed shoes
  • Swimsuit: For girls, a modest one piece swimsuit. For boys, no speedos or jammers.
  • Flip-flops or Water Shoes: For the pool
  • Sweatshirt or Jacket
  • Dress up Outfit: Dressy casual (modest) outfit (e.g.: modest sundress, polo & khakis, pants & blouse)
  • Rain Jacket or Poncho
Miscellaneous:
  • Laundry Bag
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Beach Towel: For the pool
  • Bug spray/Sunscreen
  • $50 key/meal card deposit: Make check payable to Auburn University
Optional:
  • Spending Money

Last Updated: August 6, 2024