Each year, the TRIP Lab’s Summer Science Workshop provides high school students with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn more about distracted driving from the perspectives of both the driver and the researcher. During the workshop, future scientists are exposed to attention, cognition, and developmental psychology in the context of driving, and use scientific inquiry to address the real-world problem of inattention while driving. Collaboration with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and the UAB Department of Psychology allows this workshop to be offered free of charge.
In the short time period of about two weeks, students form groups and complete, with the help of their TRIP Lab mentors, a mini-project from start to finish, and create a poster for presentation of their research. In addition to completing their own research project, students participate in validated experimental protocols developed for previous studies, participate in the AAA Teen Defensive Driving Course, experience instructor-developed demonstrations, take part in TRIP Lab activities, hear guest lectures from transportation safety experts, and more!
Workshop participants put in a great deal of hard work, but they have an equal amount of fun! Get a glimpse of what it is like to be a Summer Science Workshop participant below.
Online applications for the Summer Science Workshop are available late winter/early spring. Please contact the TRIP Lab if you have questions or are interested in participating in the next Summer Science Workshop! It is an amazing experience — You don’t want to miss the opportunity!