Program

Format

SPRINT usually runs every summer in the last two weeks of July, Mondays to Fridays at the University of Toronto, St. George campus. Over ten days, high school participants engage in lectures, tutorials, panels, data blitz presentations, and research project meetings led by undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral volunteers.

In 2023, SPRINT introduced two program streams, a Lecture Stream and a Research Stream, to broaden participation, while accommodating the different interests and goals of participating students. High school participants are selected into one of the two program streams based on their indicated preference and program capacity.

What is the Lecture Stream?

Focusing on introductory content, the Lecture Stream is a course-based experience from 10 AM to 4 PM.* Participants will attend the first week of SPRINT, which includes lectures in the morning and tutorials and panels in the afternoon. Participants will also have access to all course materials.

The Lecture Stream is aimed at high school students who are interested in psychology broadly and wish to learn more about the discipline before deciding whether to pursue it in higher education.

The Lecture Stream provides a novice-friendly learning environment that exposes participants to modern psychology research and concepts. Participants will gain knowledge in general areas of psychology and research practices, while learning how to make the most of an undergraduate career in psychology.

At the end of the program, Lecture Stream participants will receive a letter and certificate of completion. They are also eligible to request a letter of recommendation from program organizers.

The Lecture Stream capacity is usually 20 of 60 participants.*

*Exceptions may apply

What is the Research Stream?

Focusing on mentorship and applied group work, the Research Stream is the full SPRINT experience from 10 AM to 4 PM.* Participants will attend all ten days of SPRINT. The first week will include lectures in the morning and tutorials and panels in the afternoon. In advance of the second week, participants will be matched into research project groups and, under mentor guidance, will develop a research proposal.

The Research Stream is aimed at high school students who plan to pursue psychology and research in higher education and wish to build a strong foundation through hands-on practice.

The Research Stream challenges the participants to creatively apply what they learn in the program to propose a research study. During the second week, every afternoon, participants will plan and prepare for an end-of-program presentation with an audience of SPRINT participants, volunteers, and supporters.

At the end of the program, Research Stream participants will receive a letter and certificate of completion. They are also eligible to request a letter of recommendation from their mentors.

The Research Stream capacity is usually 40 of 60 participants.*

*Exceptions may apply

Topics

High school participants in SPRINT will learn from psychology trainees at the University of Toronto a range of topics related to psychological research and experimental design, including but not limited to:

Areas of psychology research (e.g., Social, Cognitive, Developmental, Clinical, Neuroscience, Animal Behaviour)
Experimental Methods and Statistical Analyses
Writing and Communication
Degrees and Careers in Psychology
Open Science and Diversity