|
November 2015 |
|
|
|
What's New in Gifted Education | Davidson News | Legislative & Policy News | On the Web | In the News | In the
Spotlight
|
|
What's New in Gifted Education
|
| |
2015 Davidson Fellows Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
 On
Sept. 29, 2015, 20 young people were honored at the
Davidson Fellows award ceremony for their work in
science, technology,
engineering, mathematics, literature and music. Davidson Institute for Talent Development co-founder
Bob Davidson presented the awards at the 15th annual
ceremony held at the Smithsonian National Museum of the
American Indian. In recognition of their remarkable
achievements, each of the
2015 Davidson Fellows received a
$50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship.
2016 Davidson Fellows Scholarship
The 2016 Davidson Fellows
Scholarship application is now
available online.
Young people 18 and younger have the opportunity to
earn a $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship in
recognition of a significant piece of work in the
categories of science, technology, engineering, mathematics,
music, literature and philosophy, or a project that
represents outside the box thinking. The application
deadline is Wed., Feb. 10, 2016.
Google Science Fair Tackles Wide Range of
Timely, Essential Issues
Recently-announced 2015 Google Science
Fair award recipients include: - Olivia Hallisey, who developed a new test for Ebola
(CBS
News);
- Pranav Sivakumar,
who created algorithms to find and study objects
theorized to be the cores of old galaxies (Chicago
Tribune);
- Anurudh Ganesann,
who developed an
innovative, eco-friendly refrigeration
system for last-leg vaccine transportation (Tech
Insider); and
-
2015 Davidson Fellow Deepika Kurup,
who synthesized an advanced oxidation process with filtration to remove multiple classes of toxins from water
(India
West).
Broadcom MASTERS
- Recognizing STEM Innovation
The Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science & the Public (SSP)
recently announced
the 2015 Broadcom MASTERS
STEM competition winners. Winners include: Annie Ostojic of Indiana,
who was awarded the top prize for her project on microwave design, STEM knowledge and ability as a natural leader;
and Sebastian Mellen of San Diego, Calif., for his app design and development while demonstrating superior teamwork
skills. Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars) is
one of the top middle school science and engineering fair competitions. View the
Press Release. Source:
ScienceNews.org
Epsilon Camp - A Challenging Summer Math Experience for Young Students
Application season has begun for
Epsilon Camp, a
two-week summer residential camp serving promising young mathematicians and their families through an intensive student program and parent workshop.
The mission of Epsilon is to meet the learning needs of
students ages 7 through 11 with extreme intelligence and a love of mathematics by exposing them to suitable content, pedagogy, peers and mathematicians.
Epsilon Camp 2016 will be held at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. from July 24 to August
7.
Epsilon will offer one full scholarship for a camper and one parent/guardian,
and up to four additional financial assistance awards.
|
|
|
|
Davidson News
|
| |
 Davidson Academy of Nevada
The
Davidson Academy of Nevada
is a free public school unlike any other in the
country. At the Academy, the abilities, strengths
and interests of profoundly gifted middle and high
school students are
encouraged and supported. If you are interested in applying to the
Davidson Academy for the 2016-2017 school year, please review the
Qualification Criteria and
How to Apply pages for more information.
"People are free to be whoever they want to be here, and that’s a great part of what makes the Academy an amazing school."
- Davidson Academy Graduate
Upcoming Tours for Prospective Students
The Davidson Academy hosts monthly
tours for prospective students and their parents, where visitors meet current Academy students, parents,
faculty and staff, and ask specific questions about the
school. Our upcoming school tours will be held on the
following Fridays: Dec. 11, Jan. 29 and
Feb. 19. RSVPs are required. For additional details and to RSVP, please visit
the
Tours
page.
The Academy is featured on
CNN's Vital Signs with Dr. Sanjay Gupta! Coverage of the Academy begins at the 5:43 point of this segment, the first of three in a special on
genius and creativity.
 2016 THINK Summer Institute
THINK
participants earn six college credits while living
on campus at the University of Nevada, Reno. All courses are taught by
University faculty at the
Davidson Academy, located adjacent to the THINK residence hall. Participants choose two courses, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. While the focus of THINK is to provide a challenging academic experience,
having fun and social time are also key components.
Why choose THINK?
- Earn six college credits in three weeks
-
Experience college life while living on campus
-
Build friendships with like-minded peers from all over the country
-
Work closely with University faculty in small classes
-
Lower cost compared to other credit programs (financial assistance also available)
 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 and educational advocacy; an online community; annual get-togethers; and the Ambassador Program. Applications are due the first of each month. For more information, visit the How to Apply and Qualification Criteria
pages.
Free Guidebooks for Gifted Learners
The Davidson Institute
offers FREE, online access to educational planning guidebooks
focused on various topics such as advocacy, early
college, mentorships, gap year, homeschooling and
giving back.
|
|
|
|
Legislative & Policy News
|
| |
NATIONAL – The U.S. Department of Education will provide more than $4 million to multiple states, a university system, and a school district through the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Education Grant (Javits) program. Source:
Education Week
 ARKANSAS – A separation of school districts in Jacksonville will restrict numerous gifted students from taking part in the popular Scholars Program, causing concern among parents. Source:
KATV
CALIFORNIA – The Milpitas school district’s Board of Education will officially dissolve the already-defunct Gifted and Talented Education program by spring 2016. Source:
Daily Democrat
The Davis school board recently adopted several changes to the Alternative Instructional Model program (AIM), including: maintaining universal testing of all third-graders across the district; approving a pilot program to aid in the identification of gifted students; and, approving a two-year transition from the current standard for AIM eligibility (a score in the 96th percentile) to a higher threshold (98th percentile). Source:
Davis Enterprise
A number of advocates recently attended a San Francisco school board meeting to demand the district restore programs and courses for gifted and high-achieving students. Source:
SFGATE
COLORADO – The RE-1 Valley School District’s gifted program will undergo a number of changes, including new guidelines for identifying gifted students. Source:
Journal Advocate
FLORIDA – A number of school districts in Florida have taken steps to increase diversity among their gifted programs. Sources:
Sun-Sentinel,
Florida Times-Union
KANSAS – The Tri-County school district is upgrading its gifted
program by partnering with a local organization that provides personalized instruction using new technologies, has connections with colleges, and teaches classes with industry instructors. Source:
KOAM-TV
LOUISIANA – The recent remodel and expansion of Lee High in Baton Rouge, a magnet school with selective admission requirements, is likely to attract numerous gifted students. Source:
The Advocate
NEVADA – Washoe County public schools will receive a $3.75 million state grant for its gifted and talented
program. The funding is part of a $10 million package for gifted students recently approved by the
state legislature, marking a dramatic increase in funding for Nevada’s gifted programs which previously received $200,000 a year. Source:
Reno Gazette Journal
NEW YORK – A number of New York City school districts do not offer classes for gifted elementary children, resulting in
many advocates seeking changes. Sources:
Wall Street Journal,
The Brooklyn Paper
 A disparity between low-income versus upscale neighborhoods among the students who attempt to test into gifted programs, and those who become enrolled, is prompting critics to seek changes. Sources:
New York Daily News,
DNAinfo,
New York Post
The Parents' Alliance for Citywide Education, composed of parents with children in New York City's gifted programs, is petitioning to open a citywide gifted school in the Bronx. Source:
DNAinfo
NORTH CAROLINA – The Asheville school district recently shifted resources to focus on gifted students in grades 3-5
rather than those in grades K-2, prompting concern among some parents. Source:
Asheville Citizen-Times
OHIO
– Ohio is considering an update to gifted education standards in the state, concerning a number of advocates. One possible change is the removal of a requirement for gifted instructors to be specially licensed. Also missing are clear parameters of the minimum a district must do to serve gifted students. Source:
Columbus Dispatch
TEXAS – The Houston school district is considering changes to its policy on gifted testing. Under proposed changes meant to increase equity, all gifted students in the district would receive personalized education plans and no longer
face losing the gifted label in middle school. Source:
Houston Chronicle
UTAH – The recently created Utah Center for the Advancement of Reading Excellence (UCARE) will attempt to improve services for gifted and talented readers in low-income schools throughout the state, funded in part by a $352,715 Javits grant. The 60 schools involved in the UCARE program will receive assistance in identifying gifted and talented readers, and professional development on how to best serve these students. Source:
Utah Policy
WASHINGTON – The Snoqualmie Valley School District recently launched a new science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math (STREAM) program for gifted students. This magnet program serves the top elementary-age students in the school district within their own classroom. Source:
Snoqualmie Valley Record
How gifted-friendly is your state? Find out
on the
Davidson Gifted Database State Policy Map.
If you know of new legislation, please contact the Communications Team.
|
|
|
|
On the Web
|
| |
Gifted Exchange Blog
Read Laura Vanderkam's take on all things gifted.
One of her recent posts is, "When to skip a grade, when not to." Join the discussion
today!
New Web Publication Hones in on Gifted Education
Medium is a new web page offering a different place to read and write on the Internet. Their education section, called
Bright,
is funded by the New Venture Fund and The Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation. Bright recently published a series of op-eds detailing how we might better support, or reform, gifted education. Articles
include:
Featured Articles and Resources
The Davidson Gifted Database at www.DavidsonGifted.org/DB is a gateway to resources for
and about gifted students.
See what's new!
Articles
The recently updated article,
Tips for Parents: Gift Ideas for Eager Young Minds,
provides suggestions of books, magazines, toys and games
appropriate for gifted young people compiled from families
in our Davidson Young Scholars program.
Tips for Parents: Beyond Overexcitabilities: A Crash Course in Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration highlights aspects of psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration, the role of overexcitabilities in the theory, Dabrowski’s
suggestions for supporting young people with what he termed
“developmental potential,” and a list of resources for
further reading and study.
Tips for Parents: Why SMART Goals Don't Work...and what to do about it
provides advice on goal setting and setting obtainable objectives.
 In Caught in the middle: How to help gifted children survive the middle school years,
Gail Post describes challenges that gifted children in middle school face and what parents can do to help them.
Resources
In Reflections on Gifted Education: Critical Works by Joseph S. Renzulli and Colleagues, more than 40 years of research and development are highlighted in a collection of articles published by
Dr. Renzulli and his colleagues at the University of
Connecticut's Neag School of Education.
XQ: The Super School Project is
composed of parents and pioneers, entrepreneurs and teachers, business leaders and administrators, youth and education experts who are joining a movement to rethink America’s schools.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) THINK Scholars is a student-run educational outreach program that makes STEM research and development accessible to high school students who reside in the United States. Using the existing
MIT THINK competition as a framework, this group has developed an application process for admission into this new program.
In the book Writing Your Own Script: A Parent’s Role in the Gifted Child’s Social Development, Corin Barsily Goodwin and Mika Gustavson, explore a parent's role in their child's social development. The book aims to show parents how to help their child discover the joy of true friendships based on common interests, shared values and mutual understanding.
Suggest a Resource
Suggest an Article
|
|
|
|
In the News
|
| |
November 18 -
Fox News,
16-year-old prodigy 'sees' music
(Video)
November 10 -
Noodle.com,
Does Gifted Education Exacerbate Social Inequities in US Schools?
(Tedra Osell)
November 4 -
Chicago Tribune,
Disruptive students hurt high achievers most
(Michael Petrilli)
November 3 -
Mashable,
Why I pulled my son out of a school for 'gifted' kids
(Lina Paly)
October 27 -
Education Week,
Schools Seek to Diversify Gifted, Honors Classes
(Sarah D. Sparks)
October 26 -
U.S. News & World Report,
Gifted Yet Disadvantaged Kids May Be Getting Short Shrift
(L. Camera)
October 21 -
EdExcellence,
America's abandoned smart kids
(Chester E. Finn & Brandon L. Wright)
October 18 -
Washington Post,
Why I shouldn't give up on gifted education
(Jay Mathews)
October 17 - New York Times,
An Admissions Surprise From the Ivy League
(Frank Bruni)
October 8 - Newsweek,
We Are Failing Our Brightest Kids
(Chester E. Finn & Brandon L. Wright)
October 2 - India West,
Seven Indian American Teens Among Davidson Fellows (Staff)
October 1 - Indianapolis Star,
High
school senior wins prestigious prize for work in math, science
(Kris Turner)
September 30 - Slate Magazine,
How Do You Select the Worthiest Kids for Gifted Programs?
(Laura Moser)
September 28 - NPR.org,
Who Are The 'Gifted And Talented' And What Do They Need?
(Anya Kamenetz)
September 22 - Scientific American,
What Makes a Prodigy?
(David Z. Hambrick)
Discuss these stories and
more on the
Gifted Issues Discussion Forum.
|
|
|
|
In the
Spotlight
|
| |
Natalie Ng
A 2013 Davidson Fellow Making a Difference
 What kind of impact can your Fellows project, “MicroRNA Prognostic Signatures and Prediction Models for Distant Metastasis-Free Survival (DMFS) in Breast Cancer” have on society?
My Davidson Fellows project involved developing a diagnostic tool for breast cancer. The main problem with breast cancer treatment is that the vast majority of patients are given chemotherapy to prevent metastasis, when few patients would have developed metastasis in the first place. This means that many patients undergo the severe side effects of chemotherapy without getting any real benefit. The objective of my project is to predict which patients will develop metastasis and therefore be good candidates for chemotherapy.
I began my project by taking a computational approach. I utilized pre-existing datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus and processed the data using statistical regression models to identify two prognostic signatures capable of predicting metastasis. I then validated the signatures experimentally in breast cancer cell lines.
The direct impact of the project would be in tailoring an appropriate long-term treatment plan for breast cancer patients. This project also highlights the power of interdisciplinary approaches; by combining computational statistical methods with biological principles, we can develop tools that have a real-world impact on people’s lives.
What are some of your short-term and long-term plans?
I will be a sophomore at Stanford University next fall. I love the environment at Stanford because of how it encourages innovative thinking and interdisciplinary approaches. My current plan is to major in Engineering Physics with a concentration in biophysics.
I am currently participating in undergraduate research in Kerwyn Huang’s group in Stanford’s
bioengineering department. I am working on a biophysics project that uses molecular dynamics simulations to understand how proteins interact and impact cell morphology.
I plan to pursue a scientific career, either in industry or academia. After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a doctorate degree in a bioengineering related field. My long-term goal is to use interdisciplinary approaches to answer interesting biological questions and solve pressing medical concerns.
|
|
|
|
Closing Thought
|
| |
"America cannot afford to ignore the needs of its brightest students and, by doing so, squander their potential."
~ U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley,
A Nation Empowered, p. 51
|
|
|
|
If you have information to include in future eNews-Updates, please email our Communications Team.
If you have been forwarded this eNews-Update, and wish to receive future editions,
sign-up here. |
|
Davidson Institute for Talent Development
Supporting our nation's brightest young minds.
9665 Gateway Drive, Suite B, Reno, Nevada 89521
Phone: 775-852-3483 Fax: 775-852-2184
Email: administrator@davidsongifted.org Web: www.DavidsonGifted.org
To
subscribe, visit the
Davidson Institute's
eNews-Update archive page.
"Like"
the Davidson Institute on
Facebook
and follow us on
Twitter.
The Davidson Institute also has a number of
YouTube videos!
|