[Ohiogift] Davidson Institute eNews-Update: July 2020

Wed Jul 22 14:29:24 EDT 2020

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July 2020
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|  Check out the Davidson Gifted Blog!  |

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In the News
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Davidson Academy Online Campus Briefly Re-Opening 2020-2021 Application
The Davidson family has always believed that young people should have access to an education so they can learn and achieve at a level appropriate to their abilities. This is why the Davidson Academy was created. Our admissions practices are designed to ensure that we accept students who are optimally matched to our deep and rigorous curriculum so that they are successful. 

While we have a long-standing practice of accepting applications from August through early spring, we understand the strain that COVID-19 has had on profoundly gifted students and their families. We also understand that the demand for high-quality online learning is at an all-time high. Our team has been at work brainstorming ways to continue our support of profoundly gifted students and their families. As a result, we have taken the unprecedented step to launch a special Davidson Academy Online Extended Application for one week.  

The application is open as of today, Wed., July 22, and will close Mon., July 27. See more about the Davidson Academy below.  |

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|  See Detailed Extended Application Information  |

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Regeneron Science Talent Search - Recognizing America's Brightest Young Scientists
For the first time in its history, the Science Talent Search will be held virtually. The Public Exhibition of Projects will occur Sat., July 25 from 2-4 pm ET.  Finalists will showcase their research and also available to answer questions. The projects will also be available online through August 3. Register here >

Davidson Academy student Jason Liu is one of the top 40 finalists! He was selected from a pool of nearly 2,000 entrants earlier and is in the running to win the top prize of $250,000. Sign up to attend the virtual Public Exhibition of Projects on July 25 and the Winners Award Ceremony on July 29.  |

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|  While the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) was canceled due to the pandemic, the Society for Science and the Public hosted an online, non-competitive version of the fair to allow finalists to display their work. Read more >

The Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG) 2020 Annual Conference has gone online! The conference, to be held Aug. 7-9, will feature four dynamic days packed with keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and an array of speaker sessions featuring renowned presenters. The presentation will cover a range of topics focused on the social and emotional needs of the gifted community. 

Growing Up Gifted and Generation Z: Vision for Equity - "One measurement of Gen Z students’ vast visual potential is through nonverbal ability tests—emphasis on the word potential. As educators of gifted learners, we strive to honor all abilities and broad spectrums of talent and across cultures—to not leave anyone out. This is our vision for equity." (NAGC)

AP is Good for Students - "The College Board is committed, and has devoted substantial resources, to expanding the program to reach those students underrepresented in higher education . . . High-achieving AP students deserve college credit and the chance to make the most of their time in college." (Inside Higher Ed)  |

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|  On Independence Day, 2020: Tips for families of gifted children - "Keen observers, gifted children will be quite aware of how we treat others, how we speak about choices that differ from ours, and how we manage our commitments, responsibilities, and anxieties. Let's strive for balance, empathy, compassion, and keeping the situation in perspective." (Gifted Challenges)

It’s Time to Get Real About Gifted Kids - "Gifted children deserve our understanding — not harmful misconceptions." (Medium)

Slow Processing Speed - What It is and How to Support Kids Who Have It - In this podcast, learn what slow processing speed is, describes how it shows up in kids, and see insights on how parents (and teachers) can best support kids for whom this is a challenge. (TiLT Parenting)

The Stealth Nature of Dyslexia - In this podcast, Dr. Dan Peters joins Emily Kircher-Morris to talk about dyslexia, as well as dysgraphia, and dyscalculia; their indications, where to go for diagnosis, and ways to help your child adapt. (Mind Matters) 

How We Helped Our 2e Son Succeed With Virtual Learning - "Some of the strategies we implemented are the same strategies recommended by experts when working with 2e children in face-to-face classroom experiences: lead with the student’s strengths, use appropriate curriculum entry points . . ." (NAGC)  |

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Davidson Updates
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Davidson Academy
The Davidson Academy offers two educational options specifically designed to meet the needs of profoundly gifted students - an online campus for those living anywhere in the U.S. and Canada and a school on the University of Nevada, Reno campus for local residents. Both options are centered on a rigorous academic environment where students 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.  |

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Davidson Young Scholars
There should be no ceiling to your child's education. With the Davidson Young Scholars Program there won't be. The Young Scholars program is free to profoundly gifted students and their families and gives them the opportunity to connect and engage in a community that understands their needs. Families choose their level of involvement. From individualized support from a family consultant, including academic and college advising, to opportunities to interact with other Young Scholars during summer programs and much more, the Young Scholars Program sets students and their families up to succeed academically, emotionally and socially.  |

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Legislative & Policy News
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|  NATIONAL - A National Center for Research on Gifted Education (NCRGE) $700,000 grant is designed to help two Michigan State University researchers analyze how teachers differ in improving achievement levels for gifted and non-gifted students, and determine if gifted students in Los Angeles are placed with teachers who are most effective. Source: Michigan State University

ILLINOIS - After years of parent and educator advocacy in the area, the first gifted program for elementary school students is coming to the west side of Chicago. Source: Block Club Chicago

NEVADA - The Washoe County school district cut about 60 percent of funding for gifted programs for the coming school year. Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

NEW YORK - More than 3,000 New York City students were accepted into its gifted programs. Sixty percent of eligible kids were given offers for next year — down from 65 percent this year. Critics have called for a retooling of the accelerated programs. Source: New York Post

TEXAS - The Clear Creek school district in the Houston area announced that gifted programming will continue regardless of mode of instruction during the 2020-21 academic year. Source: Community Impact Newspaper  |

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On the Web
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Davidson Gifted Blog
The Davidson Gifted Blog covers topics ranging from Advanced Placement, differentiation, parenting self-care, and more! Recent posts include:   
   - Preparing for High School or College (Or Seeking Alternative Options)
   - A Strengths-Based Approach for Children Who Are Twice-Exceptional
   - Gifted Homeschooling: Curriculum, Solutions, and Help with Transitioning
   - Gifted Students and Screen Time
   - Reducing Test Anxiety and Answering Test Prep Questions
   - Put a Pause on Being Productive
   - Helping Gifted Students Cope with Anxiety, Fear, Frustration and Difficult Feelings
   - Reluctant Writers - Understanding Common Writing Issues for Gifted Children
Check it out today!

Featured Articles & Resources
The Davidson Gifted Database features articles, resources and state policies to help students, parents and educators pinpoint gifted information:   
   - Resource: Math Problem Solving Skills - This website prepares gifted math students for math contests like MathCounts and AMC, and tutors students using curriculum published by the Art of Problem Solving.
   - Article: Online Coding Program Comparison - This chart provides a comparison of the most popular online coding programs for students.
   - Article: Preview Patsy Kumekawa's New Book With Unreleased Chapter "Lessons" - In this book excerpt, Patsy Kumekawa recalls examples from her parenting experience and how following her son's lead was central to making decisions around talent development.
   - Resource: Sora Schools - This program uses an individualized, project-based learning approach, working 1:1 with students to design projects based around their interests, making it both relevant to their aspirations and the skills they will need to succeed in the workforce.
   - Article: Special Considerations in Gifted Identification and Assessment - This article provides a summary of numerous special considerations and possible solutions. Twice-exceptional, minority background, misdiagnosis and logistical considerations are covered.
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In the Spotlight
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Annabelle Choi, 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. Annabelle's project is "The Pando Project," which she describes below.

I think that most of the time people think of art as something very personal that you do for yourself.  And, while I definitely think that is an incredibly important and beneficial way of thinking about and making art, I also think that a lot of people overlook the incredible impacts that art can have throughout a community.  I’m really in love with the idea of thinking of art as culture.  From hairstyles to cell phone design to living room architecture, art defines generations and has the power to create real communities.  

And yet, art is a notoriously overlooked subject in K-12 public schooling.  In fact, in the entirety of Washoe County, the district where I live, there are two part-time art teachers working in public elementary schools (for context, there are roughly 65 elementary schools in Washoe County) and only around 40 for its middle schools. On top of increasing social awareness and building community, learning about and practicing art regularly has been shown to increase graduation rates, decrease behavioral problems, and increase retention of information.  Practicing art regularly can also enhance people's creativity, critical thinking, decision-making skills, and self-esteem.  I think it’s really sad that we so often overlook the power of art, especially with the context that Nevada consistently has some of the worst average standardized test scores in the nation.  

I started a community service project called The Pando Project two years ago through the Davidson Ambassador program in order to try to help find solutions to this problem.  Over the past couple of years, I've been developing a free art history lecture and project-based curriculum, which I teach at my local Boys and Girls Club and elementary schools every other week.  Each presentation I make has two elements, an interactive lecture about a different era in art history, artist, or artistic tradition, and an art project related to the content of the lecture.  Through these presentations, I really hope to foster students' creativity and curiosity, and hopefully inspire students to make more art. 

Although quarantine has definitely been a bit of a roadblock, I’ve continued to create and develop my art lessons throughout this time, and am excited to say that each is available and downloadable on my website: thepandoproject.org.  Please feel free to check them out or drop by to ask a question! 

Annabelle is a current student at the Davidson Academy, a school for profoundly gifted students. Before the Davidson Academy, Annabelle took online middle school courses through the Davidson: Explore program. Davidson: Explore offers seven online, year-long, advanced middle school courses for qualified gifted students. The full-year courses are modeled off of expectations at middle school courses at the Davidson Academy.  |

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|  “Knowledge about talent development suggests that gifted children thrive when given the opportunity to explore their curiosity at a pace that works for them. Accelerated coursework and enrichment programs are critical to the success of such students . . . It’s a myth that gifted children would thrive no matter what their learning environment.”

--Camilla Benbow, Vanderbilt University  |

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

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 Davidson Institute for Talent Development
 Supporting our nation's brightest young minds
 Reno, Nevada
 DavidsonGifted.org
 administrator at davidsongifted.org

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|  Copyright © 2020 Davidson Institute, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Davidson Institute9665 Gateway Drive, Ste. BReno, NV 89503 |

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