Not the Kind You Eat: Hoagies

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page or www.Hoagiesgifted.org has several sources, all on-line, for easy parent access.  These sources include: books, TV episodes such as 60 Minutes, journals, newspaper articles and magazine articles.   They also have a PowerPoint presentation for parents entitled The Gifted Parent Online: Totally Free Internet Tools for Parent Support and Advocacy.

Yeah, We’re Smart: The Davidson Institute

The Davidson Institute recently launched the Davidson Gifted Database at www.davidsongifted.org/db containing a plethora of search capabilities for parents, students, and teachers to use in locating information on giftedness.  More information regarding gifted children can also be accessed through Davidson Young Scholars at www.davidsonyoungscholars.org, which includes detailed information about dealing with profoundly/exceptionally gifted children ages 5-18. 

My Kingdom For A Camp

As the parent of a gifted child, you will undoubtedly want to challenge your child’s academic abilities while also fostering their social and emotional skills.  You can do this by having them involved in educational opportunities amongst like ability peers.  The next several postings were obtained from a web search of camps offered in West Virginia and Virginia, and they provide information/advertisements regarding some of the possible camp options.  I hope this saves you precious time and helps you begin.  Please note that the final listing of Virginia Tech’s Imagination camp has the closest proximity to Mercer County and is geared for rising 7th and 8th graders.  Several of these camps are for high school age students but as a parent of an elementary or middle school gifted student, you will want to know of future opportunities.

West Virginia Aerospace and Engineering Scholars

The STEM Innovation Center at Fairmont State University in partnership with the West Virginia Aerospace and Engineering Scholars is offering a 5-day camp from August 1 through 5^th, 2014.  This “in-residence” camp is being offered at no cost to the students who will stay on the FSU campus and participate in a very hands-on curriculum whose goal is to launch a high altitude balloon with a scientific payload package by the end of the camp week.  Students will learn about the Earth’s atmosphere, physics, sensors, microcontrollers, programming and communications through a design process.
Contact(s):  Gene Turchin  (304-367-4630) or Michelle Poland (304-367-4246)
Email:  rturchin@fairmontstate.edu  or mpoland2@fairmontstate.edu
Web site: http://www.fairmontstate.edu/collegeofscitech/outreach

Marshall University Exploring Engineering: Academy of Excellence

While living on Marshall University’s campus in Huntington, WV, high school students (primarily rising juniors) participate in hands-on activities to introduce them to the varied applications of engineering. Activities include GPS, surveying, water quality testing, building trebuchets, Lego robots and CO2 race cars, and talking to practicing engineers from a variety of fields.
Contact: Dr. William Pierson, Director, Marshall University, Huntington, WV (304-696-6007)
Email: pierson@marshall.edu
Web site: http://www.marshall.edu/eeae

West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Montgomery, WV Camp STEM

Will your child be a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior in high school this fall?  Is he/she interested in science, technology, engineering, or math?  Do they like a challenge that includes “hands-on” experiments and problem solving?  The WVU Institute of Technology invites high school students to attend a week long exploration of possibilities for a future career in science, technology, engineering and math.  During the week, Camp STEM brings students to the Montgomery campus for college-level instruction as well as a taste of college life.
Contact(s): Dr. Kimberlyn Gray or Lori Shaffer, P.E.
Email: Kimberlyn.Gray@mail.wvu.edu  or Lori.Shaffer@mail.wvu.edu
Web site: http://campstem.wvutech.edu

Summer Technology and Computer Camps

Does your child love programming, gaming, or robotics?  Take his/her hobbies further and help gain a competitive edge! Create iPhone apps, programs with C++ and Java, video games, websites, movies, 3D models, robots, photos, and more.  Accredited Continuing Education Units are available.  Over 130,000 students ages 7-17 have enrolled in fun and challenging, weeklong, day and overnight programs held at 60 prestigious universities in 27 states including the College of William & Mary.  Small classes (max 8:1) are guaranteed, and taught by adult-only instructors for personalized curriculum with a small group to optimize learning and social experiences. Additional multi-week summer camp teen programs for ages 13-18 at select universities include: iD Gaming Academy, iD Programming Academy, and iD Visual Arts Academy (filmmaking and photography).
Contact: 1-888-709-TECH (8324)
Email: info@internalDrive.com
Website: http://www.internaldrive.com/locations/va-summer-camps-virginia-computer-camps/college-of-william-mary-williamsburg-area/