Questions About PsychED and Its Workshops:
What is psyched?
PsychED is an outreach initiative that introduces high school students to psychology as a STEM discipline through hands-on workshops, lab experiences, and online resources. We aim to make psychological science engaging, inclusive, and accessible for all youth.
Who can participate in psyched programs?
Our workshops are mainly designed for high school students or youth-serving agencies, particularly those in Grades 11 and 12; however, we have had younger students participate and enjoy learning about psychology. We also provide resources for educators and mentorship opportunities, especially for youth from underrepresented communities interested in psychology.
how is psyched different from other stem outreach programs?
Unlike many STEM programs that overlook psychology or focus solely on clinicial applications of psychology, PsychED focuses on psychology as a science. We combine in-class workshops, lab experiences, and mentorship, which is a unique approach to student engagement and promoting psychological science.
Why was the program designed?
The PsychED Program was created to address the lack of accessible support and guidance for youth interested in psychology. Our goal is to empower students, especially first-generation and underrepresented high school students, by connecting them with mentors who can help them navigate academics, post-secondary applications, career exploration, and more.
The program is also about transforming how psychology is viewed and taught. We believe psychology is a vital STEM discipline and want to make it more visible in classrooms and STEM conversations. By bringing psychological science into hands-on learning and mentorship, we aim to make STEM more inclusive, exciting, and feasible for every student.
The program is also about transforming how psychology is viewed and taught. We believe psychology is a vital STEM discipline and want to make it more visible in classrooms and STEM conversations. By bringing psychological science into hands-on learning and mentorship, we aim to make STEM more inclusive, exciting, and feasible for every student.
how can i support psyched?
You can support us by partnering with us as a school or community organization and volunteering as a mentor (graduate students) or student assistant (undergraduate students). We also greatly appreciate any donations or school supplies!
how much does it cost to book a workshop?
All our workshops are offered free of charge! We aim to keep our programming accessible to all schools and community groups.
What topics do your workshops cover?
Our current and upcoming workshops explore topics like Lie Detection and Deception, Self-Control during Adolescence, Cognitive Biases and Heuristics, Perceptions, and Problem Solving. We are also interested in tailoring sessions based on educators' needs and students' interests.
how do i book a workshop for my school or centre?
Visit our "Contact Us" page and fill out the form with your name, organization, and preferred dates. A PsychED team member will follow up to finalize the details. Or you can directly email us at [email protected]!
Questions About PsychED's Mentoring Program and Experiential Day:
how can students get mentorship or career guidance?
Students can apply for our online mentorship program, which connects them with current Ontario Tech graduate psychology students and professors who can guide post-secondary application, research and funding (scholarship) opportunities, and career pathways.
how are mentees and mentors matched?
We use a short application form, where students can indicate their interests, background, and preferred style of communication. We then match based on academic interests (i.e., developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, forensic psychology, etc.), career goals, and availability.
how often are mentorship sessions held?
Mentorship sessions are flexible and depend on what works for both mentor and mentee.
Options include:
Options include:
- In-person or virtual meetings
- Individual or group mentorship
- Weekly, biweekly, or monthly check-ins
What is an experiential learning day?
An Experiential Learning Day is an immersive experience hosted at Ontario Tech University where students can use real lab equipment, attend mini-lectures from psychology professors, learn about psychological lab experiments, and meet current psychology students, professors, and researchers. We are still in the process of planning this event, but we aim to conduct this event during the Winter Semester of the 2025-2026 School Year! Stay tuned for more information!
Questions About University:
what is a minor?
A minor is a secondary area of study you can add to your degree. While your Major is your primary focus (i.e., Psychology), a Minor allows you to explore another subject in more depth (i.e., biology, math, legal studies, communication, etc.).
How Do You Get a Minor?
You typically declare a Minor by submitting a form through your university's academic office or student portal, often in your second year. Some Minors are open, while others have course prerequisites or restrictions depending on your Major (i.e., at Ontario Tech, you cannot Major in Psychology and add a Minor in Forensic Psychology).
What Are Some Options for Minors?
It really depends on the university and what it offers, but common Minor options at Ontario Tech include:
How Can a Minor Affect my Graduation Timeline?
It really depends on how you plan your course load and schedule, but if you plan carefully, a Minor usually will not delay your graduation. Most Minors require only 5–7 specific courses and electives, which can often be fulfilled using your general electives from your Major. To stay on track, it is important to plan early and talk with academic advising if you have questions or need help mapping out your schedule.
How Do You Get a Minor?
You typically declare a Minor by submitting a form through your university's academic office or student portal, often in your second year. Some Minors are open, while others have course prerequisites or restrictions depending on your Major (i.e., at Ontario Tech, you cannot Major in Psychology and add a Minor in Forensic Psychology).
What Are Some Options for Minors?
It really depends on the university and what it offers, but common Minor options at Ontario Tech include:
- Criminology
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Business
- Education
- Health Sciences
- Political Science
- Math
How Can a Minor Affect my Graduation Timeline?
It really depends on how you plan your course load and schedule, but if you plan carefully, a Minor usually will not delay your graduation. Most Minors require only 5–7 specific courses and electives, which can often be fulfilled using your general electives from your Major. To stay on track, it is important to plan early and talk with academic advising if you have questions or need help mapping out your schedule.
what is a double major?
A Double Major means completing two full major programs within one degree. For example, you could Major in both Psychology and Criminology. It is more intensive than having a minor and typically requires more courses. As a result, many students with a Double Major graduate in five years instead of four. However, with careful planning and by taking summer courses, it is possible to complete a Double Major within four years.
what kind of courses can i take in the social sciences?
At Ontario Tech University, you can take a wide range of courses in the social sciences, including Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Communication, and Liberal Arts.
How long is an undergraduate degree?
An undergraduate degree typically takes Four Years to complete if you are studying full-time. However, the length can vary depending on your program (some are designed to be completed in 3 years), course load, or if you take summer classes. Some students finish sooner, while others may take longer if they study part-time or add a Minor or Double Major.
do i need to go to graduate school?
Not always! Some psychology careers (like being a therapist or psychologist) require grad school. But others (like Research Assistant, HR, or Youth Worker) can be done with an undergrad degree. It really depends on your career goals.
what are some student placement options at ontario tech?
Ontario Tech offers a wide range of student placement and co-op opportunities depending on your program. For example, many STEM programs include co-op options where students can gain valuable work experience at organizations such as Ontario Power Generation, pharmaceutical companies, banks, and software firms. In the Psychology program, students can take part in practicum and internship placements with community partners like Durham Regional Police, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, youth service centres, mental health clinics, and the John Howard Society. If you want more information, you can check out Ontario Tech's Experiential Learning Website
what does a university schedule look like?
University schedules are very flexible. However, a full-time student typically takes 3 to 5 courses per semester, with classes spread throughout the week. For example, you might have two classes on Monday, one on Tuesday, two on Wednesday, and no classes on Thursday and Friday. You will also have plenty of independent time for studying, group projects, extracurricular activities, or part-time job. If you ever need help planning your courses or enrolling, academic advisors at your university are always available to support you.
what is the difference between electives and mandatory courses?
Mandatory courses are required for your degree and cannot be used as an elective (e.g., Intro to Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Data Analysis in Psychology, etc).
Electives are courses you choose based on your interests. You can use electives to explore other subjects or complete a minor. For example, you can take a business course as an elective or a math course. You can use any course as an elective as long as it is not a required course by your program.
Electives are courses you choose based on your interests. You can use electives to explore other subjects or complete a minor. For example, you can take a business course as an elective or a math course. You can use any course as an elective as long as it is not a required course by your program.
Bordessa Hall
55 Bond Street East
Oshawa, ON L1G 1B2
55 Bond Street East
Oshawa, ON L1G 1B2