Archive
Winship Cancer Institute summer program offers hands-on experience in biomedical research
Current high-school juniors with an interest in biomedical research can apply now for the Winship Summer Scholars Research Program, to be held at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute.
Students who are accepted into the program will first learn about the science of cancer in a classroom setting. Then, each student will be paired with a research scientist or clinical oncologist who is actively engaged in research at the Emory University School of Medicine. These mentors will guide the students as they work in biomedical research labs on the Emory campus.
Program dates are June 3 – July 12, 2013. The application requires a transcript and letters of recommendation. Application deadline is Feb. 11, 2013.
Note: This program is open only to rising seniors attending high schools in the greater Atlanta area.
DeKalb school choice season is upon us
Open enrollment for school choice in DeKalb will take place from Feb. 11 to March 1, 2013. This includes enrollment for the county’s high achiever magnet schools.
If you’re thinking of applying for a school outside your attendance zone, this week is a good time to get ready. Two big things to do now to prepare are:
1) Check out the school choice catalog to learn about the options and the enrollment process. (Note: This is the 2012-13 catalog. The 2013-14 catalog isn’t yet available, but I’ve been assured by the county office that the information hasn’t changed, other than the enrollment dates.)
2) Create your “e-portal” account so you will have access to the system to apply for enrollment at the school of your choice.
If you want to learn more about your options, the DeKalb County School District will host its annual School Choice Expo Fair this Saturday, Feb. 2, at Stonecrest Mall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring break technology camp in Roswell
Creative Career Academy in Roswell will offer a day camp during spring break, April 8-12, 2013. Campers will learn computer animation, game design, app development and web design.
The camp is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Most campers will be between 10 and 16 years old, but slightly younger kids are welcome.
Creative Career Academy also offers after-school programs in technology, art, foreign language and more, and has some classes during daytime hours to accommodate homeschool students. They also have a summer camp, although the complete summer line-up is still under development.
Still spaces for Fernbank’s Science Night Out next Friday
Fernbank Science Center tells me they still have spaces open for next Friday’s Science Night Out. The topic of the January 25, 2013 session will be junior engineering.
If that session isn’t convenient, registration will open next week for the Feb. 22 session on LEGO Mindstorm robotics.
Science Night Out is aimed at science lovers in 3rd – 6th grades. The program runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Registration is $15 for one child and $10 for additional siblings. Registration is by U.S. Mail only. The class will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Tellus plans “Build and Blast” rocket event for February
Build and launch a model rocket at Tellus Museum in Cartersville on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at Tellus Museum. The “Build and Blast” event is open to kids 8 and up.
Cost is $15 for Tellus members, $30 for non-members. The program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spaces are limited. Reserve a space by calling (770) 606-5700, ext. 417. Registration is open now for Tellus members; non-members can sign up starting Feb. 1.
*Note that this event is weather sensitive and will be rescheduled if there is rain or heavy wind.
Tune in to podcasts on science and more
For quick hits of inspiration, check out these five podcasts that appeal to gifted kids — especially those with a scientific bent:
- 60-Second Science: A one-minute look at a scientific development, provided by Scientific American.
- Astronomy Cast: Stories of the cosmos and the astronomers who study it.
- MinutePhysics: Cool physics with a humorous twist.
- Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: Definitions and etymology of uncommon words.
- The Stuff of Genius: Interesting inventions.
These podcasts also are available on iTunes.
Thanks to the Institute for Educational Advancement for compiling this list, and for Muriel Knope to sending it my way.
START:CODE after-school programming classes registering now
START:CODE has announced its line-up of interactive programming classes for January and February.
Students in 4th and 5th grades can learn Scratch, a simple programming language that can be used to create games and multi-media projects.
Middle-school and high-school labs, for kids in grades 6-12, offer hands-on instruction in a variety of languages, including Python and Java.
START:CODE also offers classes in the early afternoons for home-school students.
Classes begin next week.
Nature and art at the Wylde Center
The Wylde Center in Decatur, formerly known as the Oakhurst Community Garden, welcomes kids to a variety of nature and art programs. Coming up soon are a candle making class on January 13, and a paper making program on February 10. These classes are open to little kids as well as bigger kids — ages 5 and up for candle making; ages 4 and up for paper making — which puts them in that rare group of activities that cater to the curious preschool mind.
The center also has four public gardens where kids can see chickens, bees and a variety of vegetables. The gardens are free and open to the public daily.
Guided discussions about gifted kids’ emotional needs
Local experts on the emotional needs of gifted children are forming a discussion group that will meet Sunday afternoons in Dunwoody, beginning Jan. 27.
Discussion leaders are Kathy Courchene and Muriel Knope, both trained facilitators through the SENG (Serving the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) program.
The cost to join the group is $120 per household. One or two adults who provide care to a gifted child or children can attend from each household. Discussions will be based on topics addressed in “A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children,” by James Webb, Ph.D; Ed Amend, Psy.D.; Arlene DeVries, M.S.E.; and Janet Gore, M.Ed. Examples of discussion topics are communication, perfectionism, managing intensity, teaching self-management, and relationships with family and friends.
For more information or to register, please contact Muriel at murknope-at-gmail-dot-com (address deconstructed here to protect her from spam). Registration and payment are due by Jan. 22, 2013.
Gifted Atlanta 