[Ohiogift] Davidson Institute eNews-Update: March 2019

Wed Mar 20 14:06:58 EDT 2019

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   March 2019 

 What's New in Gifted Education | Davidson News
 Legislative & Policy News | On the Web | In the News | In the Spotlight |

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|  The application deadline for Davidson Academy's online campus has been extended to April 15 - Apply today!  The THINK Summer Institute application deadline of March 29 is rapidly approaching! See details below for each of these programs. |

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  What's New in Gifted Education

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Regeneron Science Talent Search - Recognizing America's Brightest  Young Scientists
 Some of America's brightest students were recently  recognized when the Society for Science & the Public (SSP) and Regeneron announced the winners of the  2019 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). The Regeneron STS recognizes 40 high school seniors creating new technologies and solutions that can change the world through scientific innovation.    
   - Ana Humphrey (pictured, center) won the top award of $250,000 for her mathematical model to determine the possible locations of exoplanets that may have been previously missed. Her research could aid our understanding of the formation of planets and inform our search for life in outer space. 
   - Samuel Weissman (left) received second place and $175,000 for analyzing the genetic makeup of HIV in two patients,  expanding our understanding and possibly impacting future treatment approaches. 
   - Adam Ardeishar (right) received third place and $150,000 for his project combining a classic previously unsolved math problem called the “coupon  collector problem” with extreme value theory.
View the press release and detailed description (PDF) of each of the STS finalists' projects. Sources: Washington Post, Science News for Students, Newsday  |

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Book Publishers on the Pulse of Gifted Education
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|  A number of publishers provide a wealth of information for gifted students, their parents, educators and more.  Here are some of their latest releases, with numerous additional offerings listed on their websites:   
   - Free Spirit Publishing   
 - Leadership Is a Life SkillPreparing Every Student to Lead and Succeed   
 - Real Kids, Real Stories, Real ChallengesOvercoming Adversity Around the World   

   - Great Potential Press   
-Bust Your BUTS: Tips for Teens Who Procrastinate   

   - Prufrock Press   
  - Creating Strong Kids Through Writing: 30-Minute Lessons That Build Empathy, Self-Awareness, and Social-Emotional Understanding in Grades 4-8   
 - The Caring Child: Raising Empathetic and Emotionally Intelligent Children   

   - Royal Fireworks Press   
-The Inconvenient Student: Critical Issues in the Identification and Education of Twice-Exceptional Students
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  Davidson News

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Davidson Academy Online Campus - A Stimulating Online Community Where Students Can Thrive
 The Davidson Academy's  Online campus is a game changer for profoundly gifted students. Open to students in eighth grade and above living anywhere in the United States, the accredited Online school 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.  A Day in the Life of a Davidson Academy Online Student >

 The Davidson Academy’s Online instructors build their virtual “teacher presence” in order for students to feel connected to them, as if they were in the same physical classroom. When asked what methods they use to accomplish this goal,  they shared a variety of approaches.

 The Davidson Academy Online 2019-2020 application deadline has been extended until  April 15! Scores from the May SAT will be accepted if everything else in the application is completed on or before April 15. The last day to register for the May SAT is April 5.  View the admissions process.   

 The Online High School is designed to be different from a traditional online education. Online students benefit from:     
   -  Live, synchronous sessions
   -  Quality peer interactions
   -  Small class sizes
   -  Responsive, caring instructors
   -  Guidance counseling
   -  College planning
   -  Personalized Learning Plans
   -  Opportunities for socialization
 If you have any questions, please email online at davidsonacademy.unr.edu. |

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 New Davidson Academy Online Campus Overview Video

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|   Learn what makes the Davidson Academy Online campus unique from firsthand accounts of those who know the school best - students, parents, instructors and staff - in the new  Online Overview Video! Hear about the school's curriculum, social atmosphere and what  sets the the Davidson Academy Online campus apart from all the  other online schools out there. Also see the main   Davidson Academy Overview Video and   Alumni Video. |

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2019 THINK Summer Institute
  Among the most academically rigorous summer programs is the  Davidson THINK Summer Institute, which runs July 13 through August 3. Students can earn up to six college credits at this three-week residential summer program on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. To qualify, students must be 13 to 16 years old during the program and submit an SAT or ACT score. Tuition is $3,950 and covers course credits, books and materials, room and board, and the cost of planned activities. Need-based scholarships are available. Apply today - space is limited and the application deadline is  Friday, March 29!  |

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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 accredited, online middle school courses. Applications are due the first of each month. For more information, see the How to Apply and Qualification Criteria pages.

Meet the Class of 2020 Young Scholar Ambassadors!  This group of 13 highly motivated students is working hard to make a positive difference in the world. Their projects include educating youth on various topics (genetics, civics, coding, etc.), encouraging environmental awareness, working with senior citizens, and so much more!  |

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   Legislative & Policy News

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|    NATIONAL – The  Administration recently released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education, which proposes elimination of the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. Javits previously had received $12 million in funding. Source:  NAGC;  What is a Javits Grant?

 ALABAMA – The Lawrence County Gifted Program recently received a $30,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Education. Source: Moulton Advertiser

 MINNESOTA – Faced with a lack of diversity in its gifted and talented program in 2013-14, the Mankato school district adjusted its screening process and increased participation of underrepresented groups from 3 percent to 11 percent in 2018-2019. Source: Education Dive

 NEW JERSEY – Legislation that would strengthen gifted and talented programs in the Trenton school district recently cleared the Senate Education Committee and will next head to the full Senate for further consideration. Source: Insider NJ

 NORTH DAKOTA – A new program for gifted students in the Minot school district is offering a mix of weekly pull-out lessons and full-time self-contained classes. Source: KFYR

 TEXAS – A proposed school finance proposal would eliminate extra funding for gifted and talented students in the state, concerning gifted advocates. Source: Houston Public Media

VIRGINIA – Administrators in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County school districts are pursuing changes to make gifted education programs more inclusive and fair to all students, and potentially impact statewide policy. Sources: Charlottesville Tomorrow; The Daily Progress

   WASHINGTON – Following a critical outside report, the Spokane school district is considering making changes to its gifted program for all grade levels.  Source:  Spokesman Review |

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   On the Web

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Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)
 The Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) is in full swing for the 2019 season, their 35th year of providing summer enrichment programs for gifted, talented and creative students. This summer SIG will continue to have residential and commuter programs (spanning ages 9-17) at Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia; Emory University in Atlanta; Princeton University in Princeton, NJ; UC Berkeley in CA; UCLA in Los Angeles; University of Chicago in Illinois; University of Miami in Florida; and, Yale University in New Haven, CT. SIG will also continue to have 14 day programs (for ages 5-12) around the country, including new sites in the Dallas, TX area, New Haven, CT, Seattle, WA, and Sarasota, FL. SIG’s online courses for ages 5-12 run year round, summer, fall, and winter.

Challenging Summer Option - Epsilon Camp
 Epsilon Camp admission season has extended into rolling admissions – there are still multiple spots available for student ages 7-11 who can qualify.

Epsilon Camp is a two-week summer residential camp serving the mathematically promising and their  families through an intensive student program and a parent workshop. The mission of Epsilon is to connect precocious children  (7-11) to professional mathematics and build a supportive community  with peers and families. The camp also includes a parent  program of parent interaction and discussion on the work of bringing up a child who is precocious in mathematics. Epsilon Camp  will be held in Colorado Springs this year, from July 14 to 28. Details  are on the website. |

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World Science Festival In Search of Gifted Mathematical Minds
 The World Science Festival is now recruiting one-in-a-million mathematical minds looking to use theirexceptional skills to change the world through the World Science Scholars online program. World Science Scholars can connect online and in-person withworld-renowned scientists and thinkers. The 2019 application deadline is  April 15. |

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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:     
   -  Benjamin Franklin Experience (BFE) (Greenville, SC) is a summer program open to students ages 14-18 that provides students day-in-the-life experiences in ten inspirational careers led by experts. Fields include STEM, arts, journalism, law, medicine and more.   

   -  The Online Science Program Comparison takes a look at the most popular online science programs used by Davidson Young Scholars. These program can be utilized in a variety of ways; enrichment, tutoring, curriculum replacement, independent study, etc.   

   -  Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. The organization creates an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive.   

   -  The article When your gifted child disappoints provides parents advice on how to prepare for the roller coaster ride of parenting.
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   In the News

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   -  Whiz Kids: Davidson Fellow Grant Sheen Helping those with Alzeimer’s (OCR)
   -  Separating Truth From Mental Myths (podcast) (Mind Matters)
   - Gifted and Talented: Finding and Calculating Representation Rates (NAGC)
   - How online and blended learning is transforming K-12 education (Gulf News)
   - Creating Change for Gifted Children (radio clip) (Blog Talk Radio)
   - Rampant grade inflation is harming vulnerable high schoolers (The High Flyer)
   - Growing Global Perspectives (The High Flyer)
   - Talented low-income, minority students too often overlooked (Post and Courier)
   - Gifted Programs in High-Poverty Districts Aim to Create Pipeline to Opportunity (Wall Street Journal)
   - America Lets Too Much Young Talent Go to Waste (Bloomberg)
   - Is it good to be a perfectionist? (The Lighthouse)
   - True Grit - Fostering Tenacity and Resilience (podcast) (Mind Matters)
   - How to identify, understand and teach gifted children (Phys.org)
   - Easing the Struggle for Bright & Quirky/2e Kids (podcast) (TiLT Parenting)
 Discuss these stories and more on the Gifted Issues Discussion Forum.  |

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   In the Spotlight

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  Rahul Subramaniam, Davidson Fellow Laureate 
 A Method for Detecting Zika Virus Prior to Human Exposure
 Rahul Subramaniam of Cos Cob, Conn. will receive $50,000 for his Davidson Fellows project, "An Early Warning System for Zika Virus in Mosquito Populations Based on Real-Time Field Detection of Viral RNA in Mosquito Saliva."  

  What kind of impact can your Fellows project, “An Early Warning System for Zika Virus in Mosquito Populations Based on Real-Time Field Detection of Viral RNA in Mosquito Saliva” have on society?
 The main impact is enabling health workers to rapidly quarantine and isolate areas that could be harboring Zika virus. My project works by detecting Zika virus in live mosquito populations in real time, so it can tell you almost immediately if a certain area is carrying Zika virus or not. Considering that current methods used to detect Zika virus used in mosquitoes can take 2-4 weeks to obtain results, my system is a major improvement on this turnaround time. It also provides a yes-or-no result with a color change that is visible to the naked eye, and does not require any laboratory processing or analysis for data interpretation, so a health worker sent to collect the warning system trap could simultaneously obtain results. All of this allows health workers to evacuate areas immediately and prevent people from getting infected with the virus by targeting its most crucial vector. It also enables health agencies to concentrate their more detailed tests (such as PCR) on only the regions that are suspected of containing Zika virus instead of spreading these resources over large areas.

  What are some of your short-term and long-term plans? 
In college, I definitely want to continue studying biology, especially microbiology and immunology. Both of these subjects are really interesting to me, and studying them in college would be a great way to hone my interest. I also plan on doing science research in college, either on my own or in a university lab, probably either in microbiology or biomedical engineering (another field covered by my project). I do plan on getting an MD after undergrad, but beyond that I'm open to various professions in biology. While a career in infectious disease is of course a major option for me, I'm still open to see where college takes me and maybe discover a new passion. 

 Please describe your academic setting and some positive experiences with mentors. 
 I conducted all my research at my high school (Greenwich High School) in my school's science research class. This is a science elective that students sign up for and take as a class during the day, in which they design and conduct their own science research project through the school year. The class is run by Mr. Andrew Bramante, who I am very thankful to have as my mentor. His help in not only providing funding and equipment for experimentation but also his constant support and encouragement throughout the scientific process has been incredible to me. He also opens the school lab on weekends and over breaks, which is invaluable time for conducting longer experiments or tests. Without Mr. Bramante, my project would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Mr. Michael Thomas at the CT Agricultural Experiment Station for graciously helping me with the live mosquito testing in my project, another critical component that would not have been possible without his help.  |

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|  “Parents are often the first to notice their child learns more rapidly, remembers more, does things in more advanced ways or learns differently from their peers . . .Parents also have a key role to play in helping their child understand what it means to learn differently from one's peers, to value their interpretations and achievements and how they can interact socially with peers who may operate differently.”

 -- John Munro, in the Phys.org article, How to identify, understand and teach gifted children |

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|  If you have information to include in a future newsletter, please contact us at admin at davidsongifted.org. 

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|   Davidson Institute for Talent Development
  Supporting our nation's brightest young minds
 Reno, Nevada
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