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<img alt="Davidson Institute" src="http://news.ditd.org/January_17/eNewsBanner_NEW.jpg" border="0"></h1>
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<font face="georgia" color="004c87"><em>March 2017</em></font>
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<font face="Arial" size="1" color="#000080"> <a href="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/eNews_March17_web.html#NewInGiftedEd"><font color="000080">What's
New in Gifted Education</font></a> |
<a href="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/eNews_March17_web.html#DavidsonNews"><font color="000080">Davidson News</font></a> | <a href="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/eNews_March17_web.html#Legislative">
<font color="000080">Legislative & Policy News</font></a> |
<a href="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/eNews_March17_web.html#OnWeb"><font color="000080">On the Web</font></a> |
<a href="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/eNews_March17_web.html#NewsArticles"><font color="000080">In the News</font></a> |
<a href="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/eNews_March17_web.html#Spotlight"><font color="000080">In the Spotlight</font></a></font><font size="1">
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<h2><b>
<a name="NewInGiftedEd"> </a><font face="calibri" size="5" color="#ffffff">What's
New in Gifted Education</font></b></h2></td>
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<font face="calibri" size="3"><b><font color="#2071d3">Regeneron Science Talent Search
- Recognizing America's Brightest Young Scientists</font></b><br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/sts2.jpg" vspace="3" align="right" hspace="10" border="0">Some of America's brightest students were recently recognized
when the
Society for Science & the Public (SSP) and Regeneron announced the winners of the
<a href="https://student.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts" target="_blank">2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS)</a>.
The
Regeneron STS recognizes 40 high school seniors creating new
technologies and solutions that can change the world through scientific
innovation.
<br>
<ul><li>Indrani Das<em> (pictured, left)</em> won the top award
of $250,000 for her study of a possible approach to treating the death
of neurons due to brain injury or neurodegenerative disease.</li><li><font face="calibri" size="3">Aaron Yei<em> (right)
</em>received s</font>econd
place and $175,000 for his development of a new mathematical
method for solving partial differential equations on complicated
geometries. </li><li>
<font face="calibri" size="3">Arjun Ramani <em>(middle) </em>received t</font>hird
place and $150,000 for blending the mathematical
field of graph theory with computer programming to
answer questions about networks.</li></ul>This year, Regeneron became
the new, primary sponsor of STS. View the
<a href="https://www.societyforscience.org/content/press-room/2017regeneron-science-talent-search-winners" target="_blank">press release</a> and
<a href="https://member.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=797" target="_blank">detailed description</a>
of each of the STS finalists' projects. Sources:
<a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/health/Schwenksville-teen-science-project-regeneron-perkiomen.html" target="_blank">
Philly.com</a>,
<a href="http://www.wibc.com/news/local-news/changing-world-indiana-high-school-student-may-have-right-idea" target="_blank">WIBC Indianapolis</a>,
<a href="http://www.teenvogue.com/story/regeneron-talent-search-female-scientists-women-in-stem" target="_blank">
TeenVogue.com</a><br>
<br>
<b><font color="#2071d3">Book Publishers on the Pulse of Gifted Education</font></b></font><br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/pers2.jpg" vspace="0" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"><font face="calibri" size="3">A number of publishers
provide a wealth of information for gifted students, their parents,
educators and others interested in the topic of gifted
education. Some recent books, and
updated
editions, include:<br>
<ul><li><strong>
<a href="http://www.ascd.org/books-publications.aspx" target="_blank">ASCD</a></strong><br>
<a href="http://www.ascd.org/Publications/Books/Overview/Tapping-the-Power-of-Personalized-Learning.aspx" target="_blank">
<em>Tapping the Power of Personalized Learning: A Roadmap for School Leaders</em></a><br>
<br>
</li><li><strong>
<a href="https://www.freespirit.com/" target="_blank">Free Spirit Publishing</a></strong><br>
<a href="http://www.freespirit.com/teaching-strategies-and-professional-development/advancing-differentiation-revised-updated-edition-richard-cash" target="_blank">
<em>Advancing Differentiation
Thinking and Learning for the 21st Century (Revised & Updated Edition)</em></a><em><br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/stressed2.jpg" vspace="0" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"></em>
<a href="http://www.freespirit.com/bullying-prevention-conflict-resolution/6rs-of-bullying-prevention-michele-borba" target="_blank">
<em>The 6Rs of Bullying Prevention</em></a><br>
<br>
</li><li><strong>
<a href="http://www.greatpotentialpress.com/" target="_blank">Great Potential Press</a></strong><br>
<a href="http://www.greatpotentialpress.com/misdiagnosis-and-dual-diagnoses-of-gifted-children-and-adults" target="_blank">
<em>Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults</em></a><br>
<br>
</li><li><strong>
<a href="http://www.prufrock.com/" target="_blank">Prufrock Press</a></strong><br>
<a href="http://www.prufrock.com/Stressed-Out-Solutions-to-Help-Your-Child-Manage-and-Overcome-Stress-P2911.aspx" target="_blank">
<em>Stressed Out!: Solutions to Help Your Child Manage and Overcome Stress</em></a><em><br>
</em>
<a href="http://www.prufrock.com/Genius-Hour-Passion-Projects-That-Ignite-Innovation-and-Student-Inquiry-P2908.aspx" target="_blank">
<em>Genius Hour: Passion Projects That Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry</em></a><br>
</li></ul>
<b><font color="#2071d3">New Research
Continues to Emphasize Merits of Acceleration</font><br>
</b><img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/untapped2.png" vspace="4" align="right" hspace="10" border="0">Using Illinois as a case-study, the
<a href="http://www.iagcgifted.org/" target="_blank">Illinois Association for Gifted Children</a>
and
<a href="http://onechanceillinois.org/initiatives/untapped-potential/" target="_blank">Untapped Potential Project</a> recently published a
<a href="http://powerupp.org/upp-wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ACCELERATE-ILLINOIS-1.pdf" target="_blank">report
(PDF)</a>
finding that most districts do not effectively establish
acceleration policies to support their high achievers in the absence of a
state requirement.
Despite
an ever-increasing number of studies demonstrating the benefits of
acceleration, most decisions about acceleration policies are made
at the local level across the U.S., with a recent Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation report finding that
41 states either do not have acceleration policies or permit school
districts to decide whether to institute them.
Source:
<a href="https://edexcellence.net/articles/too-many-school-districts-forgo-acceleration-and-leave-bright-students-behind" target="_blank">Thomas B. Fordham Institute</a><br>
<br>
This follows a <a href="https://tip.duke.edu/sites/default/files/atoms/files/TIP%20Acceleration%20and%20Ability-Grouping%20Summary_Dec%206_2016.pdf" target="_blank">recent
analysis (PDF)</a> which determined that grouping students by
ability and providing opportunities for students to progress at a more
rapid pace can increase overall student academic achievement.<br>
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<h2><b>
<a name="DavidsonNews"> </a><font face="calibri" size="5" color="#ffffff">Davidson
News</font></b></h2></td>
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<font face="calibri" size="3"><b>
<font color="#2071d3">
Designed to be Different — Online High School for Profoundly Gifted Students</font></b></font><br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/academy.jpg" vspace="4" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"><font face="calibri" size="3">
The <strong>Davidson Academy</strong>, a school for profoundly gifted students located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, is launching a full-time
<a href="http://www.davidsonacademy.unr.edu/Online" target="_blank">online high school</a>. Now students whose families are unable to relocate to Reno can access the Academy's exceptional educational experience. <br>
<br>
<strong>2017-2018 Academic Year</strong><br>
The online high school
will include accredited courses for incoming freshmen and sophomores,
with courses for juniors and seniors being added in subsequent years.
Applicants must be 12 to 15 years old as of Sept. 30, 2017, submit ACT
or SAT scores according to the Davidson Academy's
<a href="http://www.davidsonacademy.unr.edu/Online/Qualification-Criteria" target="_blank">Online High School Qualification Criteria</a>
and commit to being full-time students. This age requirement
will be expanded upward as more advanced high school courses
are added in the future.
<br>
<br>
For Nevada residents, attending the online school is free
and there is no application/assessment fee. For students living outside
Nevada, there is a $100 application/assessment fee, as well as a
flexible tuition rate. The Academy's flexible tuition model takes into
consideration annual family income, cost of living adjustment based on
location of primary residence, the number of dependents in the
household, and other relevant factors to determine a personalized
tuition level for each family.
<br>
<br>
The online high school <strong>final application deadline is April 15, 2017</strong>.
Applications that are completed by the deadline will be held
open for students registered for the March 11 SAT or April 8
ACT. Please visit the
<a href="http://www.davidsonacademy.unr.edu/Online/How-to-Apply" target="_blank">Online High School's How to Apply</a> page
for details and email
<a href="mailto:online@davidsonacademy.unr.edu">online@davidsonacademy.unr.edu</a>
with any questions.<br>
<br>
Also, please "Follow" the
<a href="https://twitter.com/TheDavidsonAcad" target="_blank">
Davidson Academy on Twitter</a>, "Like" the
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheDavidsonAcademy/" target="_blank">Davidson Academy
on Facebook</a> and "Follow" the
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/17933699" target="_blank">Davidson Academy LinkedIn page</a> for updates about the school!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#2071d3">2017 THINK Summer Insitute</font></b><br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/think.jpg" vspace="4" align="right" hspace="10" border="0">Among the most academically rigorous summer programs is the
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/THINK-Summer" target="_blank">THINK Summer Institute</a>,
which runs July
15 through August 5, 2017. 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 meet the minimum qualifying test
scores.
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/THINK-Summer/How-to-Apply" target="_blank">Apply today</a> - space is limited and the
<strong>final application deadline is Friday,
March 31, 2017</strong>!
<br>
<br>
Why choose THINK?
<ul><li>Earn up to six college credits in three weeks.</li><li>
Experience college life while living on campus.</li><li>
Build friendships with like-minded peers from all over the country.</li><li>
Work closely with University faculty in small classes.</li><li>
Pay less compared to other credit programs (financial assistance also available).</li></ul>
<b><font face="calibri" size="3" color="#2071d3">Davidson Young
Scholars </font></b></font><br>
<font face="calibri" size="3">The
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Young-Scholars">Davidson Young Scholars</a>
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.
<strong>Applications are due the first of each month</strong>. For more information, see the
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Young-Scholars/How-to-Apply">How to Apply</a> and
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Young-Scholars/Qualification-Criteria">Qualification Criteria</a> pages.
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<a name="Legislative"> </a><font face="calibri" size="5" color="#ffffff">
Legislative & Policy News</font></b></h2></td>
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<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10004" target="_blank"><strong>ARIZONA</strong></a>
– A new preschool for "highly gifted" students with an IQ of 130 or
higher is set to open in the Higley Unified School District for the
2017-2018 school year. Source:
<a href="http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert-education/2017/02/17/gilbert-higley-district-highly-gifted-preschool-iq-test/97266466/" target="_blank">AZCentral.com</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10006" target="_blank">
<strong>COLORADO</strong></a> – While a number of improvements have
been made in a second-year plan to provide students of color greater
access to Denver Public Schools’ magnet programs for highly gifted
students,
large disparities remain. Source:
<a href="http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2017/02/21/denver-public-schools-is-identifying-more-students-of-color-as-highly-gifted-but-big-disparities-remain/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat Colorado</a>
<br>
<br>
The Wheat Ridge High School Gifted and Talented Center in
Jefferson County will receive district funding for one more year,
following previous plans to have it cut.
Source:
<a href="http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/15/wheat-ridge-high-school-gifted-and-talented-center-district-funding/" target="_blank">
Denver Post</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10015" target="_blank">
<strong>ILLINOIS</strong></a> – The Danville school district is
expanding its Motivating Academically Talented Students (MATS) program
for gifted students to second graders. It also approved piloting
separate advanced math and English language arts classes for middle
school students, with the goal of preparing more students to take
advanced placement classes in high school.
Source:
<a href="http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-01-19/danville-expanding-its-gifted-program-second-graders.html" target="_blank">Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette</a><br>
<br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/gifted11.jpg" vspace="4" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"><a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10024" target="_blank"><strong>MINNESOTA</strong></a>
– The Rochester school district will officially expand its highly gifted program. Source:
<a href="http://www.postbulletin.com/news/education/rochester-to-expand-its-highly-gifted-program/article_faa9cf18-c699-5151-b281-f155c45975ce.html" target="_blank">Post-Bulletin</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10027" target="_blank">
<strong>MONTANA</strong></a> – Three types of acceleration procedures have been established in
the Missoula school district. Source:
<a href="http://missoulian.com/news/local/acceleration-procedures-established-in-missoula-schools/article_eb594e58-29ea-53aa-981f-d867be8570e1.html" target="_blank">Missoulian</a> <br>
<br>
<strong>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10035" target="_blank">NEW YORK</a></strong>
– A new task force will examine the very low enrollment of students
from Brooklyn and the Bronx in New York City gifted and talented
programs, and the steps needed to correct this. Sources:
<a href="http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/ny/2017/03/14/parents-and-city-officials-hope-to-tackle-inequity-in-gifted-education-specialized-high-schools/" target="_blank">Chalkbeat New York</a>,
<a href="https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170301/bed-stuy/gifted-and-talented-task-force-gifted-program-brooklyn-bronx" target="_blank">DNAinfo</a><br>
<br>
<strong>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10044" target="_blank">
TEXAS</a></strong> – A number of advocates in the Midland school
district are calling for a gifted program to be extended into the
seventh and eighth grades. Currently, there is no gifted and talented
curriculum beyond the sixth grade. Source:
<a href="http://www.mrt.com/news/education/article/MISD-parents-call-for-gifted-and-talented-program-10932665.php" target="_blank">Midland Reporter-Telegram</a><br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10046" target="_blank">
<strong>VIRGINIA</strong></a> – The Henrico County school district
is considering implementing a school for gifted students that would
begin in the 2018-2019 academic year. Sources:
<a href="http://wric.com/2017/03/01/henrico-schools-talk-redistricting-plans-new-academy-for-gifted-students/" target="_blank">WRIC</a>,
<a href="http://www.richmond.com/news/local/education/article_4a8984fc-c141-5811-b6d5-516dd8872e94.html" target="_blank">Richmond.com</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/region/S10048" target="_blank">
<strong>WASHINGTON</strong></a> – Advocates in the state hope that increases to funding for the
<a href="http://www.k12.wa.us/highlycapable/" target="_blank">Highly Capable Program (HCP)</a>
in education plans represented in HB 1843 and SSB 5607 represent a step
in cementing the program as an element of basic education, and no
longer an optional enhancement. Source:
<a href="https://wcge.wordpress.com/2017/02/06/coalition-statement-on-hb-1843-and-ssb-5607/" target="_blank">Washington Coalition for Gifted Education</a>
<br>
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<a name="OnWeb"> </a><font face="calibri" size="5" color="#ffffff">
On the Web</font></b></h2></td>
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<font color="#2071d3"><strong>Comparing Popular Online Math and Language Arts Programs
</strong> </font><strong></strong><br>
As the popularity of online educational programs continues to grow, the
Davidson Institute offers the following charts providing side-by-side
comparisons of some of the most popular online math and language arts
programs used by Davidson Young Scholars:<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/gifted33.jpg" vspace="4" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"><ul><li>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10642" target="_blank">Online Math Program Comparison</a></li><li>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10831" target="_blank">
Online Language Arts Program Comparison</a></li></ul><b>
<font face="calibri" size="3" color="#2071d3">Gifted Social Media and Blogs</font></b><br>
Gifted organizations and advocates across the country are
connecting through social media and blogs. Many are listed in the
following articles: <ul><li>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10563" target="_blank">Social Networking - Impacting the World of Gifted Education</a> (Davidson Gifted Database)</li><li>
<a href="http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/on-line_support.htm" target="_blank">Gifted Online Communities...</a> (Hoagies')</li><li>
<a href="http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/50-essential-links-for-the-parents-of-gifted-children/" target="_blank">
48 Essential Links for the Parents of Gifted Children</a> (Open Education Database)</li></ul>
If you know of additional gifted-related blogs or social media
pages we can add to the
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10563" target="_blank">Social Networking article</a> listed
above, please send that information to
<a href="mailto:administrator@davidsongifted.org">administrator@davidsongifted.org</a>. <br>
<br>
<b><font face="calibri" size="3" color="#2071d3">Featured Articles and Resources</font></b><br>
The <a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database" target="_blank">Davidson Gifted Database</a>
features articles, resources and state policies to help students, parents and educators pinpoint gifted information.<br>
<br>
<strong>Articles</strong><br>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/gifted22.jpg" vspace="4" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"><a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10898" target="_blank">College Planning and Preparation - The High School Years</a>
and
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10897" target="_blank">Preparing for College in Middle School</a> provide year-by-year advice on how students can plan and prepare for the process of applying
for college.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10894" target="_blank">How to Start a School or Program like the Davidson Academy</a> is based on a collection of resources that the Davidson staff compiled to send to
those asking how to start a similar school or program.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10899" target="_blank">
Tips for Parents: How To Teach Your Child To Be
Scientifically Literate</a> is from a seminar hosted by
Teresa Bondora, who provides parents advice on teaching
their students to be well-read in science.<br>
<br>
<strong>Resources</strong><br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/R16644" target="_blank">Communication and Media Preview (CAMP) (University of Alabama)</a>
is a summer program providing high school students with the
opportunity to
practice skills and improve knowledge related to the fields of
communication and media, develop connections with aspiring
communicators, and become familiar with the college experience. <br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/R16649" target="_blank">Digital Young Leaders Exchange Program (DYLEP)</a> is a four-month long virtual exchange program that connects 325 students from Iraq and the United States. <br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/R16636" target="_blank">Parent and Educator Resource: Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools</a>
is
a user-friendly, easy-to-read publication that covers the process
schools must go through to determine if a student is eligible for a 504
Plan.<br>
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<a name="NewsArticles"> </a><font face="calibri" size="5" color="#ffffff">
In the News</font></b></h2></td>
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<td style="width: 1125px"> <font face="calibri" size="3"><ul><li>
<a href="http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar17/vol74/num06/Let%27s-Celebrate-Personalization@-But-Not-Too-Fast.aspx" target="_blank">Let's Celebrate Personalization: But Not Too Fast</a><font size="2">
(ASCD)</font></li><li>
<a href="http://inservice.ascd.org/one-size-does-not-fit-all-how-to-adjust-acquire-and-adapt-your-curriculum/" target="_blank">One Size Does Not Fit All: How to Adjust, Acquire and Adapt Your Curriculum</a><font size="2">
(ASCD)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://edexcellence.net/articles/ability-grouping-and-acceleration-can-help-teachers-and-school-leaders" target="_blank">Ability grouping and acceleration can help teachers and school leaders</a> <font size="2">(<font face="calibri" size="2">Fordham Institute</font>)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/nyregion/new-york-math-camp.html" target="_blank">Beyond ‘Hidden Figures’: Nurturing New Black and Latino Math Whizzes</a>
<font size="2">(<font face="calibri" size="2">New York Times</font>)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://edexcellence.net/articles/perceptions-mired-in-mythology-progress-for-gifted-students-in-washington-state" target="_blank">Perceptions mired in mythology: Progress for gifted students in Wash. State</a> <font size="2">
(Fordham Institute)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/hes-only-7-years-old-but-this-maryland-boy-could-be-the-next-einstein/2017/02/02/d7ee4e80-e321-11e6-a453-19ec4b3d09ba_story.html?utm_term=.eeed8d4afff2" target="_blank">He’s only 7 years old, but this Maryland boy ‘could be the next Einstein’</a> <font size="2">(Washington
Post)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/how-a-small-high-school-learned-to-challenge-every-student/2017/01/22/69523c20-deb7-11e6-918c-99ede3c8cafa_story.html?utm_term=.f09c79ea23ce" target="_blank">How a small high school learned to challenge every student</a>
<font size="2">(Washington Post)</font></li><li>
<a href="http://www.newsweek.com/2017/03/03/peter-thiel-fellowship-college-higher-education-559261.html" target="_blank">
Peter Thiel Thinks You Should Skip College,
and He'll Even Pay You For Your Trouble</a>
<font size="2">(Newsweek)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://leaders.edweek.org/profile/walt-griffin-superintendent-jeanette-lukens-director-project-elevate-gifted-education/" target="_blank">Casting a Wider Net for Giftedness</a>
<font size="2">(Education Week)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170208094447.htm" target="_blank">
Students who enjoy or take pride in math have better long-term math achievement</a>
<font size="2">(Science Daily)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/how-being-a-gifted-kid-affects-you-as-adult-32168" target="_blank">How Being A Gifted Kid Affects You As An Adult</a>
<font size="2">(Bustle)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/01/23/are-kids-missing-out-by-not-skipping-a-grade/" target="_blank">Are Kids Missing Out By Not Skipping A Grade?</a>
<font size="2">(Mind/Shift)</font></li><li>
<a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170118082805.htm" target="_blank">Highly gifted children benefit from explanation as much as their peers</a>
<font size="2">(Science Daily)</font></li></ul><font size="2">Discuss these stories and more on the <a href="http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/" target="_blank">Gifted Issues Discussion Forum</a>.</font><br>
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<h2><b>
<a name="Spotlight"> </a><font face="calibri" size="5" color="#ffffff">
In the Spotlight</font></b></h2></td>
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<div align="center">
<font face="calibri" size="5" color="#000099"><b>Raghav
Ganesh - a Davidson Fellow Helping Those with Autism</b></font>
</div>
<img alt="" src="http://news.ditd.org/March_17/mar17_spotlight.jpg" vspace="3" align="right" hspace="10" border="0"><font face="calibri" size="3"><em>Raghav Ganesh of San Jose received $25,000 for his 2016 <a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Fellows-Scholarship" target="_blank">
Davidson Fellows</a> project, "<a href="http://www.davidsongifted.org/Fellows-Scholarship/2016-Davidson-Fellows/Raghav-Ganesh" target="_blank">Serene: An Assistive Biomedical System for Autism Spectrum Disorder</a>."</em><b><font face="calibri" size="3" color="#2071d3">
<br>
<br>
What kind of impact can your Davidson Fellows project, “Serene: An
Assistive Biomedical System for Autism Spectrum Disorder” have on
society?</font></b><br>
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder.
The prevalence of autism in the United States is about 1 in 68 children
(based on data released by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on
March 27, 2014), lasting throughout one's lifetime. Autistic people
periodically experience intense, frustrating, and risky emotional
outbursts known as “autistic meltdowns”. Autistic meltdowns are periods
of emotional dysregulation that are triggered by high levels of
cumulative stress, sensory overload, and the inability to communicate
with caregivers.
<br>
<br>
Emotional dysregulation is a familiar part of life for many
individuals on the autism spectrum. Further, the unpredictable nature
of these meltdowns often impacts people's quality of life and adds to
their dependency on a caregiver. At present, only different coping
techniques are typically used to manage the challenging symptoms of
autism.
<br>
<br>
I developed a system that helps detect early signs of
escalating stress levels in the user, notifying the user and their
caregiver for immediate intervention; this helps prevent emotional
dysregulation. My system can also be used to train the user to
self-regulate, enabling them to be independent. Autism is a wide
spectrum, and my system helps customize the solution to meet the needs
of each user.
<br>
<font size="1"> </font><br>
<b>
<font face="calibri" size="3" color="#2071d3">Please
describe your academic setting and some positive
experiences.</font></b><br>
I have always been captivated by science and technology. Since
elementary school, I have read science fiction books, created
Do-It-Yourself projects, observed cars, airplanes, and humanoid robots,
and watched the DARPA Grand Challenge. I listen to all genres of music,
from French pop to classical, and enjoy playing the violin.
<br>
<br>
I love project based learning and have always liked
exploring engineering and technology based solutions for different
problems. Through my other projects, I developed a computer vision
application to help diagnose autism by using facial feature recognition
and eye gaze tracking. I also created a device to increase the range of
the traditional white cane, which is the primary mobility aid for the
visually impaired.
<br>
<br>
Through these projects, I had the opportunity to interact
with and receive the guidance of my mentors. I was also fortunate to
attend events such as the Davidson Fellows awards ceremony,
International Science and Engineering Fair, Broadcom MASTERS
International, Broadcom MASTERS, the Discovery Education 3M Young
Scientist Challenge, and California State Science Fairs. It felt very
inspiring to interact with and learn from other science and technology
enthusiasts.
<br>
<br>
<b><font face="calibri" size="3" color="#2071d3">What are some of your short term and long term plans?</font></b><br>
I am a high school freshman and enjoy exploring different
disciplines. I will continue to work on my independent research and
similar projects with a focus on aiding the underprivileged. I aspire to
create a positive impact through science and technology. <br>
<br>
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Closing Thought</font></b></h2></td>
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<font size="1">
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<br>
<i>
<font face="calibri" size="3">
"Now more than ever, we need our nation’s best and
brightest young minds to pursue their interest in science and use their
talents to solve our world’s most intractable problems."</font></i></div>
<i>
</i>
<div align="right"><i>
<font face="calibri" size="3"><i>~ Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for
Science & the Public and Publisher of </i>
</font>
</i>
<font face="calibri" size="3">Science News
</font>
<i> <br>
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</i></div>
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<font face="calibri" size="3">
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<i> Supporting our nation's brightest young minds</i></font><br>
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