Three days of immersion at the Católica campus in Porto brought together 30 students in direct contact with the role of the psychologist.
Between July 1 and 3, 2026, the Universidade Católica Portuguesa campus in Porto welcomed 30 secondary school students to the “Psychology in Movement” programme, organised as part of the Católica Porto Teen Academy by the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FEP-UCP).
The course aimed to showcase the diversity of areas in which psychologists operate and their relevance in contemporary society. To this end, the initiative provided a three-day immersive experience, combining workshops, practical sessions and direct contact with different professional contexts.
The first day, held in the campus gardens, was marked by integration activities for participants, followed by sessions focused on reflecting on myths surrounding ageing and understanding Organisational and Work Psychology. Students also had the opportunity to learn about the structure of the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, engage in dialogue with alumni and explore the campus through a guided tour led by the FEP-UCP Students’ Association.
Practical experiences and contact with real intervention contexts
The second day focused on the practical component and exposure to different professional settings. At the Human Neurobehavioral Laboratory (HNL), participants explored brain structure and analysed some of the most common myths associated with its functioning. At the University Psychology Clinic (CUP), they took part in a question-and-answer session about psychological consultations, with a focus on clinical practice.
In the afternoon, the group travelled to Praia de Matosinhos to learn about the “Waves in You” project, an initiative that uses surfing as a psychosocial intervention tool for migrant and refugee children and young people, promoting emotional and social skills. Here, students had the opportunity to take part in a surfing activity led by Fish Surf School. In parallel, they attended the workshop “POV: your mental health matters”, where they reflected on practical self-care strategies and recognising warning signs in psychological well-being.
Psychology in a sports context and the scientific foundations of learning
On the final day of the programme, students visited the facilities of Dragon Force of Futebol Clube do Porto, where they observed the role of sports psychology in the development of young athletes during training.
Back on campus, they also took part in the workshop “Learning to learn: strategies and motivation”, delivered by the Católica Learning Innovation Lab (CLIL), where they deepened their understanding of the cognitive processes involved in learning. The initiative concluded with the presentation of participation certificates.
Catarina Morais, lecturer and coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, gave a positive assessment of the initiative: “This edition of the Teen Academy reinforces the importance of bringing secondary school students closer to the reality of Psychology as a scientific and professional field. The involvement and enthusiasm shown over these three days demonstrate the impact of these experiences in clarifying academic and vocational pathways.”
About the Católica Porto Teen Academy
The Católica Porto Teen Academy is an initiative of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa – Centro Regional do Porto, which promotes contact between secondary school students and higher education. The programme offers practical and informed experiences that enable young people to explore different fields of knowledge and make more conscious decisions about their academic future.
