UCSD Research Study Summer Camp
2026-07-27 - 2026-07-31 | UC San Diego Campus, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, United States
Dr. Terry Jernigan and other researchers in the Center for Human Development and Cognitive Sciences at UCSD are interested in developing more sophisticated and passive methods to collect data on children’s environmental, social, and biobehavioral interactions in a naturalistic early education environment.
The purpose of this research study is to learn more about how young children respond to a natural environment for most young children, in this case a special research version of an early childhood educational classroom. The research includes observing how the children respond to events, activities, and other people during a set of activities that are typical of early education classrooms, such as Transitional Kindergarten classrooms. The observations we will collect include their verbal responses, behaviors, emotional reactions, what they pay attention to, and what activities and events in which they are engaged. We are then interested in how these relate to children’s developing personalities and cognitive skills, as well as other skills such as visual arts, singing, rhythm, empathy, and movement.

Families who are interested will first be asked some basic questions to determine eligibility for the study. If their child is eligible, they will be offered camp dates. This research study has a unique format where we collect data in the form of a weeklong (5 days, Monday through Friday) camp. Each day of camp will be about 6 hours long, the typical length of a school day. During each day, children will be greeted by childcare staff at drop-off, and we will do a morning welcome exercise while we set up the passive data collection devices. The children will then begin their day curriculum, which will include age-appropriate learning activities, ample play-learning activities, rest time, and stretch/bathroom breaks. Lunch, snacks, small prizes, and water will be provided each day of camp. During the 5-day camp, the children will also participate in one-on-one cognitive assessments. These assessments assess children’s current academic abilities, such as language development, numbers, memory, dexterity, musicality, singing, rhythm, empathy, and movement. Parents or approved guardians are welcome to stay during camp days; they are also welcome to drop their child off for the day with our trained and background checked research staff and volunteers.
Families are paid up to $180 for participating. Children will take home a prize each day.
Summer camps will also be held each week of summer starting July 6th, and parents can sign up for any camp with openings.
Why might parents be interested?
Free childcare during school breaks for working parents
Enriching environment for children to continue learning
Prepare young children for classroom environments and social interactions with peers
Exposure to higher education research for parents and children
Access to study outcomes
