Saturday enrichment classes in Lawrenceville
The Gwinnett Alliance for Gifted Education is now registering students in grades 2 through 5 for its four-week Saturday Exploration Program, which will begin Oct. 15, 2016.
Classes will be held at Rock Springs Elementary School in Lawrenceville. Students can choose from a variety of topics, including computers, meteorology, history, and engineering.
Students from outside Gwinnett County are eligible for the program.
The registration deadline is Oct. 3.
New blog covers gifted education policy
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute and the National Association for Gifted Children have joined forces with The High Flyer, a new blog about gifted education policy.
Policy papers are sometimes academic and dry, but I recommend you check this blog out anyway. Why? Because the more you know about what’s happening in gifted education in different states and school systems, the more effective you can be in bringing needed changes to your own school, district, or state, not only for your child, but for all gifted children.
Duke TIP at UGA for 5th and 6th graders
Registration is open for the October and December 2016 sessions of the UGA-Duke TIP Academic Adventures program.
This one-day program, held on the UGA campus, gives talented kids in 5th and 6th grades a chance to study topics of interest with other gifted peers.
Topics for the Oct. 22 session include aerospace design, engineering, zoology, sound, acting, law, psychology, physics and robotics.
At the Dec. 3 session, students can choose from aerospace design, engineering, zoology, sound, communication, law, psychology, robotics and sharks.
To participate in Academic Adventures, your child must be registered with the Duke TIP 4th/5th/6th Grade Talent Search. Not registered with Duke TIP? Learn more about how to get started so you can take advantage of opportunities like this one.
The registration deadline for the October session at UGA is Oct. 13; for the December session, registration is open until Nov. 24. But, as I often say, the most popular topics will fill up quickly.
Duke TIP weekend at UGA
The next Duke TIP Scholar Weekend at UGA will be Nov. 5-6, 2016. Students in grades 8 to 11 can spend the weekend on the UGA campus studying an academic topic of their choice. Classes for the November weekend include topics in engineering, medicine, psychology, fine arts, political science, and more.
The weekend costs $450 for students staying in a hotel on campus, or $400 for students who want to commute to the program each day. Financial aid is available.
To participate, a student must either:
- Be registered with the Duke TIP Talent Search program; or
- Obtain confirmation of gifted status from the Duke TIP headquarters
Registration is open through Oct. 17, but popular classes will fill quickly.
MODA offers all kids free membership
Museum of Design Atlanta is offering all children, up to age 17, free membership in its Design Club. Members will receive unlimited free admission to the museum, MODA newsletters, and invitations to special events. Each member can bring one accompanying adult, who also gets in free.
The free membership program is funded by corporate donations, the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs, and individual designers who made contributions at last springs HOW Design Live annual conference.
You can learn more about Design Club membership online, but to sign up, you must visit MODA in person.
Enrollment is open for Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search
Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) is now enrolling students in its annual 7th Grade Talent Search.
TIP is a renowned program that allows 7th-grade students to take either the SAT or ACT college entrance exam. All participants will receive some benefits. Students with exceptional scores can earn special recognition and the privilege of attending summer programs at Duke University or on other college campuses.
To qualify for the search, your child must have scored in the 95th percentile or above on a standardized achievement test (such as CogAT, CRCT or ITBS) during their 5th or 6th grade year. A $75 enrollment fee pays for the SAT or ACT exam.
Deadlines for 2016 are:
A) If your child wants to take the SAT/ACT in December:
- Applications sent by U.S. Mail must be postmarked by Oct. 3.
- Online applications are due Oct. 21.
B) If your child plans to take the SAT in January, or the ACT in February:
- Applications sent by U.S. Mail must be postmarked by Nov. 4.
- Online applications are due Dec. 9.
Future Problem Solving offers coaches’ training
The Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP) challenges kids to come up with creative solutions to real-world problems. Open to kids in grades 4 through 12, this international program guides students through the problem-solving process, from research and brainstorming to evaluating options and developing recommendations.
FPSP of Georgia is offering coaches’ training on Friday, Aug. 19, 2016. Coaches are most often teachers, but parents or other adults are also welcome to become coaches.
For more information about the program or the training session, visit FPSP International online, or contact Georgia’s state director at argenhicks-at-gmail-dot-com (address deconstructed to discourage spam; put it back together to send e-mail).
Emory programs for young math lovers
Emory University wants kids to find the fun in math. Two upcoming programs presented by Emory Math Circle provide opportunities to explore math concepts that go well beyond what students encounter at school:
Julia Robinson Math Festival, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, from 1 to 4 p.m. Kids work on mathematical problems and puzzles, at their own pace, for their own pleasure. Mathematicians are standing by to give support as needed. Ideal for kids in grades 6 to 12, although advanced 4th and 5th graders can participate. Advance registration on the web site is required.
Math Circle, meeting weekly on Saturdays, beginning Sept. 17, 2016. Students in grades 6 to 12 come to Math Circle to ponder mathematical questions and concepts. Registration is open until Sept. 6.
Georgia State adds second week of “Brain Camp”
Saturday School
, a program of Georgia State University, has added a second week of its one-week summer camp.
Brain Camp II will be held July 25-29, 2016, on the Georgia State campus. The camp is open to kids in kindergarten through 8th grade. Campers will learn about neuroscience and participate in brain-related learning activities.
The registration deadline is July 15.
Parent seeks group with young 2E children
A local parent wants to join or form a homeschool group or play group with other twice exceptional children. (Twice exceptional, or 2E, is a term used for children who are gifted and also have a learning disability.) If you are interested, contact Shayla Epps at eppsfamily04 – at – ymail – dot – com.
Gifted Atlanta 