Gifted Atlanta

Fernbank Science Center in Decatur is now accepting applications for Aviation Camp, a one-week summer day camp for students entering 4th, 5th or 6th grade next fall. Two sessions will be held, June 18-22, and June 25-29, 2012.

First-time campers learn about the principles of flight. Advanced campers with more experience will try out flight simulators and fly remote-control helicopters.

Cost of the camp is $260 per week. Full or partial scholarships may be available for students who receive free or reduced-price lunch at their school.

Fernbank Science Center is owned and operated by DeKalb County Schools, but Aviation Camp is open to students from anywhere.

Deadline to apply is May 14.

Teens ages 14 or 15 have just a few more days to apply for summer volunteer positions at the Georgia Aquarium. The Youth Volunteer Program is demanding — volunteers must work a minimum of 112 hours during their four-month tenure. Time is spent greeting visitors, helping with Camp H20, assisting at birthday parties and the like.

The payoff includes the chance to learn about marine life, and an annual pass to the aquarium when the program is completed.

Applications must be postmarked by April 1.

(Note: Kids 16 or older are invited to apply through the adult volunteer program.)

Girls who love science can sometimes feel pushed aside by the boys who dominate the field, both in school and in the professional world. But that’s not the case at TEC Camp, a one-week summer experience at Georgia Tech for middle-school girls only.

Girls will take classes in robotics, chemical engineering, web design and more, taught by Georgia Tech faculty and specialists. TEC campers also meet professional women who work in science and technology careers.

TEC Camp will be held June 18-22, 2012, on the Georgia Tech campus. The application process is competitive, with only 40 girls to be chosen based on their academic records and a personal essay.

Applications are available now. The camp’s web page doesn’t give a deadline to apply, but says applicant decisions will be made by April 20, so I’m thinking it’s best to get your application in by early April.

The National Society for the Gifted and Talented is accepting applications for its Board of Trustees Scholarship. This highly competitive scholarship is merit based, not need based, and can be used for summer programs or activities. That could include summer camps or classes, or independent projects. The requirement is that the activity must “further the goals of gifted education,” encouraging thinking skills and independent work.

The downloadable application is due April 1, 2012.

The University of Georgia is now accepting applications for Summer Academy, a collection of camp experiences in topics ranging from game design to mini medical school. Other topics include engineering, robotics, public speaking, cartooning, digital photography and lots more.

Students can enroll in Summer Academy camps as day campers, if you live close enough to Athens to commute. Or if you prefer to have your child get a taste of campus life, most Summer Academy sessions are available as overnight camps.

Early bird discount applies if you register before March 23, 2012.

When they said their application would be available at “the end of February,” the Georgia Tech people really meant the end of February.

The application for the Summer PEAKS program at Tech will go online at 2 p.m. today.

Wondering what PEAKS is? See this earlier post.

Wheeler Magnet School will host two summer camps for students with a strong interest in science and technology.

Science Spectrum Camp will be held June 4-8, 2012. The camp is open to rising 7th-, 8th- and 9th-grade students, and will allow exploration in such areas as robotics, chemistry, electronics and drafting. Fee is $300.

Camp GAMES, June 11-15, is for girls entering 4th, 5th and 6th grades. It, too, will include a range of science and engineering topics. The camp costs $250.

Wheeler Magnet is a science, technology and math magnet program housed at Wheeler High School in Marietta.

Georgia Tech is now accepting applications for its 2012 sessions of Bio@Tech, a three-week investigative experience in current biology breakthroughs. Topics for 2012 include ecology, genetics and microbiology.

Bio@Tech is taught by Georgia Tech faculty and instructors. This non-residential camp is open to rising 11th and 12th graders, although highly exceptional rising 10th graders will be considered. The application process is competitive, and requires a portfolio including teacher recommendations. The deadline to apply is April 20, 2012.