Programs for young photographers and writers at Sandy Springs library
So many of the enrichment opportunities I find are geared at science and technology that I’m always excited to find something designed for the gifted child with an artistic bent. Two such programs can be found at the Sandy Springs branch of the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System:
- Teen writer’s workshop, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, 12:30 – 2 p.m. For middle-school and high-school students who write in any literary form. Free and open to the public.
- Teen photo contest, open through April 30, 2012. Open to students who either live in Fulton County or attend a middle- or high-school in Fulton County. $100 grand prize.
Tellus Museum offers another Junior Astronomy Workshop
The January session of the Junior Astronomy Workshop was a sold-out success, so the Tellus Museum in Cartersville is offering another session, Friday, Feb. 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Junior astronomers ages 5-12 will learn to use a star chart and will practice watching the night sky in the planetarium and the observatory.
Call 770-606-5700, ext. 417 to reserve tickets.
Two upcoming music events at Emory
Emory University has two upcoming music events ideal for young people:
Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 – Pajama concert, 7:30 p.m. at the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Guests are invited to wear their PJs and bring a pillow to this family concert of night music. Tickets are $4 per person, or free for members of the museum.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 – Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. at Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. As I always say, these youth symphony performances are a two-for-one in enrichment. They expose your child to live, classical music, and have the added bonus of inspiring them with what other young people can do. Admission is free.
Georgia Tech summer camp schedule now available
Georgia Tech’s summer camp program has released the list of classes for summer 2012. Now operating under the name Summer PEAKS (Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEM), the Georgia Tech summer program is open to rising middle-school and high-school students.
Hands-on, interactive classes will be offered on a variety of science, technology and math topics. Each class runs for one week, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. High-school sections this summer include astrobiology, finance, nanotechnology, mobile app development, architecture and more. Middle-school classes will include space exploration, LEGO Mindstorms, mobile app development and more.
Review the list with your child, pick your favorites, and stand by — the application will be posted in “late February,” according to the web site.
PEAKS is operated by CEISMC, the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing. CEISMC provides enrichment opportunities in math, science, technology and engineering. In addition to its summer programs, CEISMC offers classes during the school year through its K.I.D.S. Club.
UGA accepting applications for Pre-College summer program
Rising juniors and seniors can get a taste of college life by attending the Pre-College Summer Program at the University of Georgia. This two-week program will take place on the campus in Athens, July 13-28, 2012. Pre-College students are taught by UGA faculty and staff, and have the option of eating in the campus dining halls and living in a college dormitory. (A commuter option is available, so living on campus is not a requirement.)
The program information states that they offer a variety of liberal arts and science courses; however, this year’s course selection isn’t posted yet.
If you apply before April 27, they’ll waive the $50 application fee. Final application deadline is June 8. The application includes two essays, so give your student some time to put it together if they’re interested.
Need-based financial aid is available.
Registration opens today for LEGO Mindstorm Robotics session at Fernbank Science Center
Fernbank Science Center will teach kids about LEGO Mindstorm Robotics at its next Science Night Out, to be held on Friday, Feb. 24, 2012.
Science Night Out is for science lovers in 3rd – 6th grades. This drop-off program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the science center, located near Decatur.
Registration is accepted only by U.S. Mail. The fee is $15 for one child and $10 for additional siblings. The class will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Toothpick bridge building contest for engineers of all ages
Does your child like to build? Here’s a chance for them to build their best bridge and see how it holds up compared to other structures built by kids, adults, even engineers.
The Toothpick Bridge Contest is open to all, and you can bet there will be some surprisingly strong entries from the sponsoring engineers — representing the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Structural Engineers Association of Georgia.
Bridges in the traditional toothpick category may be built from only toothpicks and glue, while bridges entered in the open category can be made of any materials you choose. Entrants build their bridges ahead of time, then bring them to Fernbank Science Center in Decatur on Saturday, Feb. 25 for testing.
There is no need to register in advance, and there is no cost to participate. Admission to Fernbank is, as always, free.
One note: Don’t let your little engineers get too attached to their structures, as they will be tested to the point of failure (i.e., broken) during the contest.
School choice season is now
Metro Atlanta’s school systems include a decent choice of magnet, theme and charter schools. If you want your child to attend one next year, it’s time to gather information and submit applications.
Here’s a quick round-up of some of the school choices and their admissions procedures. Note: Please don’t consider this to be a complete list. I’ve tracked down what information I could, but there are other schools not on this list that deserve consideration. If you’re seriously considering school choice, I recommend that you visit your school system’s page under the “Gifted Ed in Local Schools” tab on this site. From there, you can explore the web sites for the specific school(s) that interest you and contact them for more information.
DeKalb County Schools will hold its School Choice Expo this Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia. Registration for a few DeKalb schools opens later this month, but for most schools, lottery registration will begin in March.
I had a hard time finding information on the Clayton County Schools web site, but in poking around I found that Fine Arts Magnet High School is taking applications now. Rex Mill Middle School also is accepting applications from current 5th graders — their deadline is Feb. 24.
In Fulton County, you have until Jan. 23 to apply to Riverwood International Charter School. Once again this year, Riverwood is accepting applications only from Fulton County residents — the non-resident, tuition paying option won’t be available for 2012-13. The deadline for North Springs Charter High School is Jan. 30. A staff member at North Springs said residents of Fulton, DeKalb and Cobb can apply, although there may not be spaces available for students from outside Fulton. Applications for the lottery are being taken now for Ridgeview Charter School, Fulton’s IB middle school. Their deadline is Feb. 16, 2012. Applications to the math and science magnet at Westlake High School are due Feb. 9. The visual and performing arts magnet at Tri-Cities High School is holding auditions this Saturday, and also on Feb. 25.
Magnet schools in Cobb County are no longer taking applications, which were due in early December.
(I was starting to feel guilty about not being timely with information on Cobb and Fulton schools, until I realized I published this post back in October 2011. Whew.)
Gwinnett County students can apply to the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology (GSMST) through Feb. 3, 2012.
The City of Atlanta Public Schools system doesn’t offer school choice via a magnet or charter structure, but it does allow student transfers. Applications for transfers are generally allowed in the spring, toward the end of the school year.
Google invites inquisitive teens to enter second annual online science fair
If your teenager enjoys scientific investigation, Google Science Fair 2012 offers an opportunity to explore a question, come up with an answer, and possibly win a $50,000 scholarship (or other prizes).
The global, online science fair is open to students ages 13-18. They may work alone, or in groups of up to three members. Registration is open now. The contest closes April 1, 2012.
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 4 – July 16, 2012. The application requires a transcript and letters of recommendation. Application deadline is Feb. 10, 2012.
Note: This program is open only to students attending high schools in the greater Atlanta area.
Gifted Atlanta 