Get Involved

Graduate Students

Prospective students interested in working with Dr. Hornburg as part of the Ph.D. program in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at Virginia Tech can find more information here. Applications are due on December 1st each year. Students are also encouraged to email Dr. Hornburg expressing their interest at chornburg@vt.edu.

Undergraduate Students

We are currently seeking undergraduates interested in learning and development to join the lab as research assistants! Interested students can apply to join the lab and receive credit for HD 4994 or HD 4964 (field study; if Junior status) by completing this form. Students are expected to commit to at least 2 semesters in the lab, ideally for at least 2 credits (6 hrs/week) for the first semester. Dr. Hornburg will be in touch about a brief interview after receiving your application. For best consideration, please apply by the middle of the semester before you intend to join the lab, around the time of your planning for other courses in the upcoming semester. Successful applicants are reliable, organized, and work well on a team.

There is also an Accelerated Master's Program in Human Development at Virginia Tech (next application deadline March 1st, 2026). Students may be able to work alongside Dr. Hornburg for their master's degree project. Interested students can find more information here. Students are also encouraged to email Dr. Hornburg expressing their interest at chornburg@vt.edu.

Parents and Families

We are always looking for families interested in participating in research! This would involve visiting our lab at Virginia Tech (in Wallace Hall), or completing a research study remotely, such as an online survey. Our research is fully funded so you would be compensated for your time participating. The length of sessions depends on the particular research study.

If you are interested in being contacted about future opportunities to participate in research studies with the VT Learn Lab, please fill out this short contact form.

If you are interested in other research opportunities beyond our lab, see the section below on the Developmental Science at VT Network, and also you can visit the ChildrenHelpingScience website to find online studies on various topics from many universities around the world.

Participants needed!

We are looking for fourth graders and their parents, to participate in a research study (IRB #25-565). Participation involves one 60-minute video-recorded session, either on the Blacksburg campus or in community-based locations in Roanoke or Floyd. Parents will be compensated with $20 cash and children will receive prizes throughout the session. Details are in the flier to the left. Fill out this interest form to learn more: www.bit.ly/VTMathStudy

Participants Needed!

We are looking for English-speaking parents and their children ages 4 to 5 1/2 years old who have not yet started kindergarten to participate in the Virginia Tech Preschool Perpendicularity Study (IRB #25-542). Study participation involves a 45-minute visit to our lab on the Blacksburg campus of Virginia Tech. Participants will be compensated with a $20 Amazon gift card upon completion of the visit. Details are in the flyer to the right. Parents can fill out this interest form to learn more: http://bit.ly/Perpendicularity

Developmental Science at VT: Exciting Opportunity for Families Interested in VT Research Studies!

Developmental Science Researchers at Virginia Tech have a new “Developmental Science at VT” Network, a comprehensive registry connecting families interested in participating in research studies with researchers in Psychology or Human Development and Family Science.

If you want to learn more about research opportunities for you and/or your child(ren), please share your information with us. Researchers will then contact you with details about studies you may be eligible for. To join the registry, visit https://vtdevsci.cs.vt.edu (or, use the QR code in the flier).

Thank you for your interest and support in advancing science!

Research Partners

We are interested in collaborating with teachers, schools, and other community partners. Please contact Dr. Hornburg at chornburg@vt.edu.

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