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Studies for
Gifted Children
At age five, 'Fred' taught himself to read.
He described it as: 'One day I was looking at the pictures,
and the next day I was reading the words.' By age ten, he
was light-years ahead of his peers. He was constantly thinking,
questioning the way the world works. An outstanding student,
he couldn't stop learning, even if he'd wanted to. Fred was
a gifted child, with unique intellectual, personal and social
needs.
Institutions such as the 'Summer Institute for
the Gifted' (SIG) are designed with students like this in
mind. With short courses held on safe, secure US campuses,
the programs provide balanced enrichment with academics, non-academics
and recreation. Participants can range in age from 10 to 17
and come from across the United States and from many different
countries.
The purpose of such institutions are to provide
academically gifted students with a comprehensive and well-rounded
summer experience, with a chance to interact with other students
of the same ability levels and interests. The challenging
academic programs are supplemented by educational evening
entertainment, weekend off-campus trips, on-campus creativity
events, a complete recreational program, and social activities
that address the needs of the gifted student. Many courses
are offered on many different US campuses.
The richness of a broad range of geographical,
cultural and ethnic backgrounds, the stimulation created by
bright and intellectually engaged students working and playing
together, the depth and diversity of faculty and staff, and
the beautiful campus environments create a perfect atmosphere
for learning, growing and accomplishing meaningful goals.
The academic programs are central to the spirit
and structure of any institution. Examinations, quizzes, and
homework assignments will be given, and complete library,
IT and research facilities are available for student use.
Students can work in groups with others close to their own
age, in courses taught by experts in their field. Teachers
include university and high-school professors and professional
practitioners. Typical academic course offerings include,
'Computer Connections,' 'Exciting Writing,' 'Engineering in
Action,' 'Business Basics,' 'Algebraic Enrichment' and 'Journey
into Jurisprudence.' Older students also have the opportunity
to take courses that will earn credit at US universities.
Institutions recognize the importance of balance
in the life of a growing young person, and require students
to look beyond traditional academics. All students can participate
in non-academic/cultural and recreational courses, such as
visual art, music, drama, photography and animation.
'Profusion of Illusions' is one of the non-academic
offerings. The course description reads: 'What do you have
in common with wizards and magicians? Come discover for yourself
as you analyze magic and fantasy as components of myth and
lore, as science, as metaphor, as symmetry, balance and poetry.
Learn to perform feats of magic.' It's easy to see that this
course involves much more than simple card tricks. The fun
and games are supplemented with ideas from history, science
and literature.
This emphasis on blending learning with fun is typical of
'Gifted' programs.
Play is also an integral part of many such programs.
A wide variety of recreational courses are available that
truly offer something for everyone, at every age and fitness
level. Traditional offerings in tennis, swimming and volleyball
are just the tip of the iceberg. Fencing, archery and lacrosse
are available. Students can design and play their own sport
in 'Divergent Diversion.' Other choices include: 'Don't Be
a Target,' with emphasis on self-defense skills, and 'Game
Wizardry' for those with a flair for board and paper-and-pencil
games.
The SIG program at George School in Newtown,
Pennsylvania runs throughout July. George School is a distinguished
American private boarding school on a splendid 265-acre campus
within easy reach of New York City and Washington, DC. The
well-appointed campus offers excellent facilities within a
secure environment. Sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming
pool, athletics fields, tennis courts and archer range. Arts
and sciences are particular strengths, and include a
computer-programming centre. This campus is particularly well
suited for younger children aged 10 to 14.
SIG runs at Rider University in Lawrenceville,
New Jersey through July and August. Rider has a 353-acre campus
that is within easy reach of New York City and Philadelphia.
Off-campus trips include historical Philadelphia, the Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York sights and hiking the Delaware Water
gap.
Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania also has an
SIG program through July and August. Bryn Mawr is a distinguished
American liberal arts university on a 1,350-acre campus. The
facilities include a library housing 850,000 volumes, laboratories
for each of the four physical sciences, language laboratories,
a computer centre, and state-of-the-art sports centre. Saturday
trips from Bryn Mawr will include Philadelphia, New York and
Washington, DC. This program is limited to 275 students
aged 10 - 17 and is hugely popular in the states - early application
is strongly advised.
The SIG program at Amherst College in Massachusetts
also runs through July and August. The campus reflects the
exquisite New England countryside and offers outstanding educational,
performance and recreational facilities. Amherst College is
regarded by many as the premier liberal arts college in the
US, and again, early application is advised.
To apply, students must be academically talented
and between the ages of 10 and 17. They must be fluent in
English and have been identified as gifted, or participated
successfully in a local or school gifted program. Two letters
of recommendation are required: one from a teacher familiar
with the student's work, and the second from a school administrator.
Author
Barbara Wilson
Admissions Counselor
Summer Institute for the Gifted
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