As part of its Academic Enhancement Initiative, APA's Science Directorate offers courses on emerging technologies and methodologies in psychological science. Known as Advanced Training Institutes (ATIs), the courses are aimed at researchers of all levels--from graduate students to senior faculty--and are offered every summer. Two ATIs have been announced for this summer: one on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and another on working with large-scale databases that will use the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Study of Early Child Care database as the example. In addition, APA will co-sponsor a training opportunity in behavioral genetics.

* fMRI. Psychologists interested in learning more about fMRI are invited to enroll for this ATI, which will be held May 30-June 4 in Charlestown, Mass. The course will include hands-on training in collecting and analyzing fMRI data, with a special focus on using the technology with nonhuman animals. Applications will be available at www.apa.org/science/ati04-info-fmri.html in January.

* Using large-scale databases. Psychologists are invited to learn how to use data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Study of Early Child Care this summer in Chapel Hill, N.C. (dates to be announced). The study covers demographic, family, maternal, paternal and caregiver characteristics; child social and emotional outcomes; language development; cognitive skills; school readiness; growth and health measures; and more. It includes data collected by observation, testing, and face-to-face and phone interviews. See www.apa.org/science/ulsd04.html for more information.

* Methodology. The Science Directorate is also an affiliated sponsor of the 17th International Workshop on Methodology of Twin and Family Studies: The Introductory Course. Held at the University of Colorado at Boulder, March 1-5, this workshop will train participants in the field of behavioral genetics. Visit http://ibgwww.colorado.edu/workshop2004/announcement.html for information and the application form.

--S. DINGFELDER