Gifted Education - Student Opportunities
Year - round opportunities:
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The Southwest Virginia Governor's School for Science, Mathematics, and Technology, located in Pulaski, VA, is one of eight schools established by the Governor of Virginia to create special educational opportunities to students with aptitude and interest in science and mathematics. The school utilizes the combined resources of the participating school divisions to provide programs which facilitate the acquisition of scientific and technical knowledge through laboratory investigation and research. Students attend the Governor's School for half a day to take science, math, and research classes. The students acquire credit necessary for graduation from high school, and they earn college credit as well. Students take away the knowledge they have gained through texts, lectures, and labs; and they also take away the knowledge they have acquired from "real world" experiences. These experiences include presentations by visiting scientists, three month internships in the fields of their choice, and various field research.
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Gifted students at the secondary level in MCPS are encouraged to participate in the regional National History Day competition each winter. Gifted resource teachers at each middle and high school are active in their support of students in this program.
 "National History Day makes history come alive for America’s youth by engaging them in the discovery of the historic, cultural and social experiences of the past. Through hands-on experiences and presentations, today’s youth are better able to inform the present and shape the future. NHD inspires children through exciting competitions and transforms teaching through project-based curriculum and instruction. " www.nationalhistoryday.org |
| MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide middle school math enrichment program that provides students with fun and challenge. They develop problem solving skills in a competitive atmosphere while building essential teamwork skills. The Chapter (Local) Competition for MATHCOUNTS is held at Virginia Tech’s Torgersen Hall on a Saturday in mid-February.
MATHCOUNTS competition is quite challenging and consists of three rounds. Students compete both individually and on teams. At the end of the competition, a Countdown Round occurs for top scorers. It is a fast-paced oral competition in which pairs of Mathletes compete against each other and the clock to solve problems.
First, second, and third place teams proceed to the state competition in Richmond. The top ten scoring individuals also proceed to the state competition regardless of their teams standing. For more information about the MATHCOUNTS competition and MATHCOUNTS problems, visit the website at www.mathcounts.org. If your child would like to join a MATHCOUNTS team, please contact the gifted resource teacher at your middle school.
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| Science Fair is a yearlong educational project in which students apply scientific method to do a research project. Students will present their projects at The Blue Ridge Highlands Regional Science Fair at Radford University in March.
Students in grades seven and eight participate in the Junior Division. They have the choice of entering a project as an individual or as a team in either biological or physical science. Junior Division participants do not advance to the Virginia State Science Fair. Students in grades nine through twelve participate in the Senior Division. They have a choice of entering a project as an individual or as a team in the following categories: animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, earth science, engineering, environmental sciences, mathematical sciences, medicine and health sciences, microbiology, physics and astronomy, and plant sciences. First, second, and third place awards are given in each of the categories. Each first and second place winner from the Senior Division is eligible to compete in the Virginia State Science Fair. Two Grand Prize winners from the Senior Division of the Regional Science Fair are awarded an all-expense-paid trip for themselves and their sponsoring teachers to the International Science and Engineering Fair. Special awards and scholarships are given at the Regional Science Fair by federal agencies, civic groups, and commercial organizations for the best exhibits in the areas of interest of these organizations. For more information about the Science Fair competition, please visit: http://www.societyforscience.org/isef |
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An exciting enrichment opportunity that will expand horizons!
What: Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at the College of William & Mary
Who: Gifted students grades K-9 (Courses for students K-7 will be offered during 2012 spring SEP)
When: February 11th - March 24th, 2012 (7 Saturdays)
Students will have the opportunity to:
• Explore their interests
• Gain a deeper understanding of advanced material
• Enhance their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Establish lasting friendships
*Don’t wait for your favorite classes to fill up! Sign up today for the chance of a lifetime.
For more information please contact: Dr. Mihyeon Kim (757-221-2458; mxkim3@wm.edu),
Ms. Amy Schmidt (757-221-2166; amschmidt@email.wm.edu) or Ms. Laura Ionescu (757-221-2362; lionescu@wm.edu)
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Kids’ Tech University (KTU) http://kidstechuniversity.vbi.vt.edu is a semester-long educational research program developed by the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute and Virginia 4-H, that puts scientists and engineers in front of children to encourage the exploration of intriguing topics in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The primary goal of KTU is to create the future workforce in STEM by sparking kids' interest in these fields.
KTU is excited to offer a fourth semester for kids between the ages of 9 and 12 (on September 30, 2011) held on the Virginia Tech campus. This is a first-come, first-served program that is open to children satisfying the age restriction, regardless of place of residence or academic achievements. Members and non-members of Virginia 4-H are welcome to attend four events over the course of the spring 2012 semester (Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 24 and April 7, 2012). During the Interactive Sessions for each event, held in the same lecture halls used by Virginia Tech students, world renowned scientists and will address questions from the world around us. After the Interactive Sessions, the kids will receive lunch at Virginia Tech and participate in exciting hands-on activities hosted by Virginia Tech faculty, student clubs and 4-H agents.
When children return from their exciting day, they will be able to interact with online activities: http://ktu.vbi.vt.edu/
Registration fee is $100 (scholarships are available). Open online registration starts Nov. 28, 2011 at 6 pm!
Parents are responsible for picking up their child for lunch and accompanying them for the afternoon hands-on session.
For a reminder of when to sign up see the KTU Blog at: http://kidstechuniversity.blogspot.com Click herefor an informational flyer.
Parents are responsible for picking up their child for lunch and accompanying them for the afternoon hands-on session.
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