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2019 Davidson Fellows to be Announced Next Month
The 2019 Davidson Fellows will be announced in mid-August! The Davidson Institute offers $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000 Fellows scholarships to students 18 and under whose projects have the potential to benefit society, and are at the college graduate level. Application categories are in the STEM fields, humanities and outside the box. |
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What's New in Gifted Education
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Intel International Science and Engineering Fair –
New
Frontiers
in STEM Creativity
More than
1,800
outstanding
high school
science
students,
representing
more than
80
countries,
exhibited
their
inventive,
groundbreaking
projects at
the
2019
Intel
International
Science and
Engineering
Fair (ISEF)
in
Phoenix.
Krithik Ramesh
of Colorado
(pictured
second from
right) was
awarded the
top prize
for developing
technology
that helps orthopedic surgeons achieve greater accuracy for screw placement during spinal surgery.
Allison Jia
of San Jose, Calif.
(second
from left)
and Rachel
Seevers of
Lexington,
Ken. (far
right)
each
received
the second
prize:
Allison for her investigation into toxic protein aggregates, which
are associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s,
and Rachel
for
developing a
prototype of an underwater propulsion device that could allow for greater access to the world’s unexplored oceans. Shriya Reddy
of Michigan
(far
left) received the newly announced Craig R. Barrett Award for Innovation for her novel, noninvasive approach for rapidly diagnosing melanoma lesions.
Source:
Society for
Science &
the Public
(SSP) |
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Google Global Science Fair
Finalists
Advance
The list of
twenty Google Global Science Fair Finalists,
including
four
American
students,
has
recently
been
announced!
Finalists
and their
projects
include:
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Isha Puri of New York, who created a freely accessible learning–based web application for the early detection of dyslexia.
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Maanasa Mendu
of Ohio,
who
developed
a
machine
learning
algorithm
and
application
that
identifies
plant
diseases
based
on
pictures
taken
from a
smartphone.
-
Ethan
Jacobs
of New
York,
who worked on improving a new method of detection and analysis
of the
presence
of eDNA
in
three
rivers
for
four
different
non-marine
mammals.
-
Shreya Ramachandran of California, who tested grey
(lightly
used) water from soapnuts on soil and plants,
finding
that it showed a trend for higher plant growth than other grey waters and was comparable to regular water.
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Davidson
News
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Davidson Academy’s Two Options - Designed to
Be Different
The
Davidson Academy
offers two
educational
options
specifically
designed to
meet the
needs of
profoundly
gifted
students –
an online
school
for those
living
anywhere in
the U.S. or
Canada and
a day school
on the
University
of Nevada,
Reno campus
for local
residents.
Both options
are centered
on a
rigorous
academic
environment
where
students can
thrive among
their
intellectual
peers.
Academy
classes are
grouped by
ability
rather than
by age,
providing
profoundly
gifted
students an
educational
opportunity
matched to
their
abilities,
strengths
and
interests.
Online Campus -
Helping
Gifted
Students
Reach Their
Goals
The Davidson Academy's
online
campus
is a game changer for profoundly gifted students. Open to students living anywhere in the U.S.
or Canada, the accredited
online
campus builds off the one-of-a-kind, exceptional framework put in place by the
Davidson
Academy Reno Day School. The result is a robust online community where students thrive.
Students
are
supported
not only in
their
coursework
at Davidson
Academy
Online, but
also in
their
social
and
emotional development.
Please
visit the
Davidson
Academy
Online
Qualification Criteria and
How to Apply
pages for
details.
If you have any questions, please email
online@davidsonacademy.unr.edu. |
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Single-course enrollments are now available through the Davidson Academy's online campus! English and math courses are available for single-course enrollment. Single-course enrollments have the same curriculum and workload expectations as the full-time Davidson Academy Online campus. Courses follow the academic school year calendar. Please view the Single-Course Enrollments
page and our infographic.
Davidson Academy’s Reno School
Since 2006, the
Davidson
Academy’s
free,
accredited
public day school
located on
the
University
of Nevada,
Reno campus
has centered
on
interpersonal
and
instructional
dynamics
creating an
atmosphere
that is
vibrant with
intellectual
energy and
dialogue. As
the school
has grown,
the Academy
has evolved
to offer an
increasing
amount of
opportunities,
while still
providing a
laser-sharp
focus on the
individual
student.
Davidson
Academy
students
have the
opportunity
to
participate
in many
clubs and
extracurricular
activities
throughout
the year, as
well as
enroll in
courses at
the
University
under a dual
enrollment
agreement.
Please visit the Davidson Academy’s
Reno School
Qualification Criteria and
How to Apply pages for
details.
If you have
any
questions,
please email
applications@davidsonacademy.unr.edu. |
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Davidson
Young
Scholars
The
Davidson Young Scholars program provides FREE services designed to nurture and support profoundly gifted young people and their families, including talent development, educational advocacy, an online community
and the
Ambassadors
program. Young Scholars can also access annual get-togethers,
a summer
camp for 8
to 12 year
olds and challenging online
middle
school
courses. Applications are due the first of each month.
See the
How to Apply and
Qualification Criteria
pages. |
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Legislative
& Policy
News
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COLORADO
– Following a recent analysis, the Aurora school district has changed its method of identifying gifted students, leading to an increase in students from underrepresented groups being tracked toward high ability programs. Source:
Sentinel Colorado
ILLINOIS
– Chicago
Public
Schools recently passed the "Accelerated Placement Act",
which will
allow gifted
students to enter kindergarten early and skip grades in one or more subjects.
The new policy on early entrance to kindergarten will go into effect for the coming school year. is
Sources:
Midwest Academy for
Gifted
Children, Chalkbeat
MICHIGAN
–
The Detroit school district is partnering with the Roeper School, a private suburban Detroit school, and the Roeper Institute on a two-year initiative to introduce gifted education into four Detroit schools. The goal is to expand available options for families while avoiding inequity issues that have affected gifted programs in other cities. Source:
Chalkbeat
The Portage school district will no longer use a centralized approach regarding its “Enrichment and Extension” program for gifted students, instead offering the program in individual classrooms. Source:
mlive.com
NEW YORK
– Efforts to increase diversify in New York City’s most elite high schools
continue,
though the
methodology
of doing so
is still up
for debate.
Source:
Education
Week
OREGON
– A number of parents recently filed a formal complaint against the Portland school district, alleging that it underserves and under identifies gifted students. Source:
OPB
VIRGINIA
– Students identified as gifted will work with a gifted specialist in their regular classroom, alongside peers who aren’t identified as such, as part of changes implemented in the Charlottesville school district. The “push-in model” is aimed at opening lessons and activities, previously only available to gifted students, to all Charlottesville children. Sources:
The Daily Progress,
Charlottesville
Tomorrow
WASHINGTON
– The
Spokane
school
district
will
implement a
number of
changes to
increase
diversity in
its gifted
program, a
response to
a report
conducted
last fall
that cited
critical
shortcomings.
Source:
Spokesman
Review |
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On the Web
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Featured Articles and Resources
The Davidson Gifted
Database
features
articles,
resources
and state
policies to
help
students,
parents and
educators
pinpoint
gifted
information.
Articles
How Do We Encourage Gifted Girls to Pursue and Succeed in Science and Engineering?
Gifted girls often shy away from such careers. This article explores two explanations for this puzzling phenomenon.
In Pushing Back on Perfectionism: How to Be Happily Imperfect,
view numerous strategies for coping with perfectionism.
Roles in Gifted Education: A Parent’s Guide offers parents in the "gifted world" a wealth of information of the staff and administrators that can help them and their students navigate the gifted experience.
Resources
Canyon Crest Academy (CCA) is a public high school in San Diego, California. Founded in 2004, the school continually ranks as the best public high school in
the state.
In our
digital era,
young people
need a safe,
supportive
place to
connect and
“just talk”
with peers
and attentive adults.
The book Get Gifted Students Talking addresses issues faced by gifted students in middle and high school.
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology features a heavy focus on project-based STEM education. Located in Lawrenceville, Its rigorous courses make it one of the most prestigious high schools in Georgia.
Start Seeing and Serving Underserved Gifted Students is a reader-friendly guide that promotes equity in gifted education.
The book
provides teachers with a variety of flexible tools to nurture the academic and affective growth of their gifted students from traditionally underserved populations.
Teaching Empathy: Strategies for Building Emotional Intelligence in Today's Students guides teachers to create and maintain classrooms in which students are sensitive to the needs of others.
What to Expect When You're Expected to Teach Gifted Students is a practical, easy-to-read guide that reviews expectations versus likely classroom realities that first-time gifted teachers may face. |
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In the Spotlight
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Lindsey Gorman,
Davidson
Ambassador
The purpose of the Davidson Young Scholars
Ambassador Program is to foster learning and civic engagement through community service, volunteerism and leadership in highly motivated and mature Young Scholars.
Lindsey's project is "Aphelion."
What are some past and present projects you've worked on to help make a positive difference in the lives of others?
Since middle school, I've worked with various organizations to make a difference in my community. My work has ranged from founding an ecological club to serving as volunteer coordinator for a camp, organizing a donation center to participating in the "reading buddies" program at my school.
My latest project stems from the Davidson Ambassador Program. Entitled
Aphelion, it's a non-profit working to improve equity in education through artistic expression. We sell art and jewelry pieces, created by students, at various fundraising events. The profit from these events supports the education of two girls in Kenya, Regina and Beatrice.
Aphelion has raised over $9,000 since its inception and grows more every day!
What are some of your short-term and long-term plans?
This year, I hope to raise $2,500 for
Aphelion, hold four fundraising events, and ensure
Aphelion continues after I graduate. I have a fantastic leadership team and am working to pass along my knowledge to the next generation. Currently, I'm documenting officer tasks, inspiring students to get involved, sorting through organizational documents, and finding ways to make volunteering fun.
It's hard to say what my plans are in the long-run. After I graduate, I'm looking to study psychology and business management. I also plan to continue volunteering in college. I'm driven by wanting to create positive change and wouldn't be surprised if I served with AmeriCorps. All I can say for sure is that I'm excited about the future!
How has the Young Scholars program helped you to reach your goals and achieve your accomplishments?
The Young Scholars Program, especially the Ambassador Program, is a community where I can thrive. I love the monthly seminars for ambassadors-in-training and reading what others are accomplishing. I've never connected with so many passionate kids, wholeheartedly invested in their cause. The seminars have taught me effective networking techniques, how to drive donations, ways to boost our social media presence, and how to be a better leader and communicator.
Being part of such a dedicated and positive community has kept me accountable for my tasks and inspired me to push harder than ever before.
Please describe your academic setting and some positive experiences with mentors.
I attend a private,
K-12 academy for gifted and talented scholars with about 75 kids. The low teacher-to-student ratio allows me to dive deep in my passions for STEM and the fine-arts.
The role-models and mentors at my school have made me who I am today. My principal, someone I genuinely admire, inspired me to find a cause worth fighting for. She also taught me how to work hard in a challenging environment, and I try to emulate her passion and discipline.
Another extraordinary mentor is my advisor for Aphelion. She's been our faculty sponsor for years and amazes me with her commitment and strength. As president of
Aphelion, I rely on her wisdom and experience to guide me.
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“Minding the issue of underachievement in gifted students goes well beyond lending helpful hands to a few smart kids. When even the best and brightest kids struggle in school, the issue alludes to something larger: more must be done to make schools a better place to learn for students of all capacities.”
-- Valerie Strauss, Washington Post (Source) |
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If you have information to include in a future newsletter, please contact us at admin@davidsongifted.org.
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