Psych Scoop, 7/1/25

Psychology Advising Announcements

Current majors are expected to know the announcements in the advising announcement section.

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Study Abroad Experience Questionnaire

Psychology Undergraduate Advising would like to hear your thoughts about your study abroad experience this past academic year! We would love to know everything that you encountered throughout the entire process - from selecting a program, arriving to your location, and your return. With this information, we hope to learn more about the decisions students who study abroad make, as well as share all the cool things you have done! There is a chance you may be featured in some of our announcements. Answer with what is comfortable, not every question in this form is required for you to answer. Please complete the form by Monday, July 21. Questions about the form can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected].

Spring 2025 Sentience Vol. 28 is Now Available

Sentience is an online academic journal for papers describing research in Psychology that are written by undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota. Sentience provides opportunities for undergraduate students to gain first-hand experience in all phases of the scientific publication process. Published work is limited to papers written by undergraduate students (as first author). Visit the Sentience Website to review the Spring 2025 Sentience.  

Events

Free First Saturdays - Walker Art Center

• Date:  First Saturday of every month
• Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Bring your loved ones to the Walker for a day of art and creativity. Admission is free on the first Saturday of every month from 10 am-5 pm. Explore current exhibitions, get creative with drop-in art activities for families from 10 am-3 pm, and check out a film in the Mediatheque.

Free Thursday Nights - Walker Art Center

• Date:  Every Thursday
• Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm CT
• Cost: Free
• Location: 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Explore the latest exhibitions, grab a drink, get creative, and enjoy special programming. Taking place each Free Thursday Night and at no cost, participate in artist-designed programs and events. Free guided tours of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden begin at 6 pm. Skyline Mini Golf, the Museum Shop, Idea House 3, and Cardamom are also open late.

Music in the Gardens

• Date:  June 1st - August 31st
• Time: 1:30 pm CT
• Cost: Sliding scale
• Location:  Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318

Enjoy live music throughout the summer at the Arboretum! This year, we welcome new and returning artists to our series, which occurs June through August every Sunday afternoon from 1:30-3 p.m. and Thursday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. Music selection ranges from blues to folk, brass quintets to a Bob Dylan tribute band. There’s something for everyone, and the series is included with your general daily admission to the Arboretum. 

Firefly Viewing Nights - UMN Arboretum

• Date: July 3, 5-6 and July 10-12, 2025
• Time: 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm CT
• Cost: UMN Students & Staff - $10
• Location: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318

Experience the magic of summer nights at the Arboretum with hundreds of fireflies flashing through the sky! Bring your family and friends along to marvel at the wonder of these glowing winged beetles (also known as lightning bugs). Begin your firefly viewing experience by gathering to learn about these special creatures from local experts before heading out to see them live on the trails.

Courses of Interest

For more detailed information on each of these courses, refer to Schedule Builder.

PSY 5960: Intro to Data Mining Techniques for the Psychological Sciences - Fall 2025

• Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM CT
• Location: Elliott Hall N668
• Instructor:  Katerina Marcoulides ([email protected])

This course is a seminar on the theory and application of data mining, machine learning, and exploratory approaches to data analysis. In contrast to traditional hypothesis-driven approaches to analysis, data mining enables investigators to assess the predictive value of various combinations of variables in a data set. Data mining has emerged in recent years as a major area of statistical research and practice and is increasingly employed by psychologists and other behavioral scientists. Data mining techniques are particularly useful for the analysis of very large data sets, as can arise in clinical, survey, psychometric and genomic research. The goals of this course are to develop an understanding of various data mining approaches, assess the utility of each approach, evaluate the predictive power of each approach, and tailor models to obtain replicable results.

Research

To register for PSY 4993 or 5993 credit, view the registration requirements on the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Website.

*Credit or Volunteer* DSCN Undergraduate Research Assistant Openings - Summer 2025 

The Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience (DSCN) Lab in the Institute of Child Development is seeking a Summer Research Assistant (volunteer or taking it for CPSY 4994 credit) to help manage a small randomized control trial (RCT) among local families with children ages 2-5 years old. The role would begin as soon as possible and extend through the end of August, at 20 hours per week (flexible), supervised by Professor Stephanie Carlson. If interested, please refer to the application form or email the DSCN lab managers at [email protected] to be considered.

*Volunteer* Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research - Summer and Fall 2025 Commitment

The lab is conducting two studies (COMN 2.0 and COMN-PATHS) within the Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) and is recruiting up to 2 research assistants (RA) for two longitudinal studies examining the intergenerational transmission of physical health, mental adjustment, and personality traits as well as the effects of marijuana legalization on parents, families, and adolescents. RAs will be responsible for a range of different tasks including recording and storing data, attending lab meetings, and assisting recruiters and interviewers with their responsibilities. Strong preference will be given to students who can commit to two or more semesters. To learn more about this research opportunity please reach out to Jason Shulman [email protected] and Olivia Costa at [email protected] with a copy of your CV/resume and brief description expressing your interest in applying.

*Credit* Gunnar Lab in Child Development Seeking Research Assistant fluent in Spanish - Fall 2025 

The Gunnar Lab at the Institute of Child Development is seeking two research assistants for Fall 2025. Our research focuses on stress and early life experiences in youth. We need RAs to help collect data with Latino students in elementary and high school. Tasks include taking blood pressure, setting up Garmin watches, measuring height and weight, administering stress questionnaires, and assisting with focus groups. Duties also involve enrollment/consent, phone calls, equipment setup, and data analysis or writing. Must be available during school hours (8:00 am–2:30 pm) for 4–5 hour shifts, plus 1–2 hours after school (around 3–5pm). RAs must be bilingual in English and Spanish. Students can earn 3–4 credits (CPSY 4994). Preference for those who can commit to two or more semesters. Must have reliable transportation to schools; carpooling is an option. Please send a resume/CV, unofficial transcript, and short introduction to Jasmine Banegas at [email protected].

*Volunteer or Credit* CPSY 4994 Gunnar Lab Seeking Research Assistants - Summer or Fall 2025 

The Gunnar Lab at the Institute of Child Development is looking for research assistants to start the Summer or Fall 2025 semester. Our research focus is on stress and effects of early life experiences in children, teens, and young adults. We have a few research projects seeking dedicated research assistants who can commit to 3-9 hours per week. Tasks may include recruitment, scheduling research visits, in-person data collection, and remote work. Students can earn 1-3 credits for CPSY 4994. To learn more about this position, please send your CV/resume, unofficial transcript, and a short introduction to Clarissa Filetti at [email protected] to be considered.

*Volunteer* Research Intern For a Brain Training Project in Addiction - Psychiatry Department

This research is under the direction of Dr. Jazmin Camchong within the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science. Intern responsibilities will include working with databases, verifying accuracy of study data collected, assisting in MRI’s and administering brain training sessions involving transcranial direct current stimulation. The active recruitment is focused on research participants that are patients enrolled in a treatment program for alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder. Qualified candidates must be highly motivated, able to work independently, extremely detail-oriented, comfortable using basic computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and web applications (e.g. zoom) and willing to develop new skills as the need arises. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in Psychology or related field, and be willing to commit to 9-10 hours per week for a minimum of 12 months. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Clarista Berg, [email protected]. 

Resources 

Free Naloxone on Twin Cities Campuses

Free Naloxone kits are now available in five locations on the Twin Cities campus through Boynton Health. Naloxone is a life-saving, easy-to-use medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Students, staff, faculty, and visitors can pick up a kit at no cost. Kits will be available on the first floor of Appleby Hall, outside the main entrance of Boynton Health, across the welcome desk on the first floor of Coffman Memorial Union, the Skyway on West Bank, and across the Post Office in the Basement of the St. Paul Student Center.

Pre-Law Modules to Explore this Summer!

Check out the Pre-Law 101 Module. This module is perfect for someone just starting to explore law school, and outlines how to explore, ways to gain experience, and a brief overview of the timeline and application process. The Applying to Law School module is intended for those who have completed the Pre-Law 101 module and want more details on the application process. It outlines every element of the application process and how to get assistance and support.

Job, Internship, & Engagement Opportunities

IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source. Looking for Psychology Internships? Get Started with Our YouTube Tutorials!

Direct Care Professional 

Hiring Direct Care Professionals now! Seeking part-time employees who are kind, motivated, and caring to work with Annie, a young woman with physical and mental disabilities in our private home. Female preferred and no experience needed as paid training is provided. Hiring now but must be able to work some weekdays, approximately 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, once the semester begins. Starting pay is $22+ with flex pay available. If interested, contact Andrea Mckee at 651-274-3574 or [email protected].

Are you Interested in Volunteering at a Community Organization?

Volunteering offers many of the same potential benefits as other experiential activities, like interning, for example, or participating in research projects. Volunteering is yet another way you can continue developing the Core Career Competencies that signify career readiness. It also gives you a chance to explore various organizations, career paths, and work settings in a fairly low-key way. One way you can find Volunteer opportunities is through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL). At the University’s Center for Community-Engaged Learning, staff members will ask you about your interests and then connect you with one or more of the 300 nonprofit community partners they work with. Additionally, you can often find volunteer positions posted on Handshake. Visit the CLA Undergraduate Studies website to view further instructions on how to navigate Handshake.