Gifted Atlanta

I do love the citizen science projects, so of course I’m going to post about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, which is happening today and tomorrow.

To participate, you’ll spend 15 minutes watching any plant that attracts insects. You’ll tally the number and types of insects that visit during that 15 minutes, then enter your counts through the census website.

Want to know more? Watch this three-minute video overview.

The census project was created by the University of Georgia. It’s open to residents of Georgia and the Carolinas.

Little Shop of Stories book store in downtown Decatur is hosting a “low sensory shopping experience” for children with sensory sensitivities on Sunday, September 10, from 11 a.m. to noon. They’ll turn down the lights, keep the noise level low, and offer individualized attention from their staff.

If you want to attend, you must register in advance.

I can personally recommend Little Shop of Stories as a fantastic independent bookstore. They have a vast selection of children’s books, from board books through young adult novels. Their staff are extremely knowledgable about children’s literature and enjoy recommending a child’s next great read.

.

* Wondering what 2E means? It’s an acronym for “twice exceptional,” and refers to individuals who are both gifted and learning or developmentally disabled.

The CEISMC program at Georgia Tech will offer a day camp for students in grades 6 through 8 the week of April 3-7, 2023.

Students sign up for each day separately, so they can attend anywhere from one day to the full week. Each element of STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — will be highlighted one of the five days.

The camp will meet daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A fee of $100 per day covers camp activities, all needed materials, lunch and a snack. Extended care is available until 5 p.m. at no extra charge.

To find out more about the camp and to register, go to the main CEISMC student programs page, scroll down to the section called “Quick Registration Links for STEAM Workshops,” and look for the listing called “Spring Into STEAM: Spring Break Camp.” Click on the “Details” button on the right to bring up a window that describes each day’s programming. The Details window also contains a registration button.

The University of West Georgia is planning a “Hackathon” event where middle- and high-school students will conceptualize and design software to solve a problem. The program will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, on UWG’s main Carrollton campus.

The Hackathon program’s youth track is open to students aged 13 to 18. The youth track program does not require any programming or coding knowledge. Mentors will help the students with the technical aspects of their designs. (A separate advanced track for high-school and college students 18 and up does require basic programming skills.)

Students will work in teams. They can sign up with people they already know and want to work with, or find a team onsite.

Registration is $30, plus a $3 processing fee. If a family is unable to pay the fee, UWG will attempt to make arrangements for the registration. See the “How much does it cost to participate” area of the page linked above for contact information for financial assistance.

The Math Circle program at Emory University is now registering for its spring 2023 classes.

Math Circle is an enrichment program for middle-school and high-school kids who are fascinated by mathematics and who want to explore math topics beyond what’s taught in the typical classroom. Classes meet twice a month on Saturdays. In-person classes will begin this Saturday, January 28. Note that it is possible to join a class after it has begun meeting; registration will remain open until February 17.

Classes will be offered both in person and online.

You can get more information and register at the Math Circle website.

Any students attending an in-person section must show proof of vaccination (including a booster shot). Masks are optional, in accordance with Emory University policy.

Emory Math Circle is free, but donations from families that can give them are appreciated.

Registration is open for K.I.D.S. Club and STEAM Workshop sessions being held Saturday, February 18 at Georgia Tech.

K.I.D.S. Club is open to students in grades 2 through 5. Topics for 2nd and 3rd graders this session are flight mechanics, “TinkerLab” and rollercoasters. For students in grades 4 and 5, there are two tracks to choose from. One track will design a chair and learn about electrical engineering; the other will study application design and health science. (Important note: Application design is a two-part course. Part two will be held on March 11.)

STEAM Workshops are for students in grades 6 through 12. For grades 6 to 8, track one will learn about robotics and chemical engineering; track two will spend the full three hours learning about gardening in the time of climate change; track three will spend three hours on LEGO Robotics. Grades 9 through 12 will design a robotic car using Micro:bit.

Cost to attend is $65 per student. Need-based scholarships, funded by the Georgia Department of Education, are available. Visit the CEISMC BOOST Scholarship page to learn more about scholarship eligibility and submit an application.

A group of female high-school students in New Jersey has issued an open invitation to girls in grades 4 through 9 who want to do more math.

Lovelace Math Circle is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring more girls into STEM fields. Their teachers, who are high school students, teach a mix of subjects, some that focus on topics typically taught in school, and others that prepare students for math competitions.

The Google form linked above directs prospective students to a problem set that will help them determine whether they would be a good candidate for a competition class.

Registration for the winter session is open now through January 6, 2023, with classes beginning on January 7. All classes are free. They meet 45 minutes per week, online, in the evenings.

Registration is open for K.I.D.S. Club and STEAM Workshop sessions being held Saturday, January 14 at Georgia Tech.

K.I.D.S. Club is open to students in grades 2 through 5. Topics for 2nd and 3rd graders this session are architecture, “TinkerLab” and 3-D art storytelling. For students in grades 4 and 5, there are two tracks to choose from. One track will study water safety and computer animation with Scratch; the other will learn about DNA and build racers.

STEAM Workshops are for students in grades 6 through 12. For grades 6 to 8, track one will learn about bacteria and biodegradable plastics; track two will spend the full three hours learning about gardening in the time of climate change. Grades 9 through 12 will use 3-D modeling to design a sustainable home.

Cost to attend is $65 per student. Need-based scholarships, funded by the Georgia Department of Education, are available. Visit the CEISMC BOOST Scholarship page to learn more about scholarship eligibility and submit an application.