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Monthly Newsletter: Current Opportunities and Resources

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April/May:

Opportunities/ Resources

Games for Change Competition

The Games for Change Student Challenge invites students to make video games about real-world issues and community impact themes. The Games for Change Student Challenge is the leading national game design program that combines students’ passion for games with digital learning and civic engagement. Select this link to learn more.

Deadline: April 15, 2024

Listen to a Life Story Contest

When young and old come together, they can change each other’s lives, their community, and even the world. Big things happen when you listen to a life – you travel time, learning from the past for a better future.The Legacy Project’s 24th annual Listen to a Life Story Contest runs to April 15, 2022. The contest is open to young people 8-18 years, with a grandparent or grandfriend 50 years or older (cannot be a parent). To enter, all you have to do is Read, Listen, Write! Check out all the details here.

Deadline: April 15th, 2024

Summer Camp Opportunities

Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities available for your child!

Select this link to be taken to summer camp opportunities.

SENG Annual Community Conference: Community and Belonging

Check out this special SENG 2023 Annual Community Conference Video Package! This package includes streaming access to 15 of our most popular speaker sessions from the conference PLUS access to two keynote sessions! Learn more here:  https://vimeo.com/ondemand/seng23special

Dates: July 21st-23rd, 2024

SENG Authors: Different Minds: Gifted Children with ADHD, ASD, and Other Dual Exceptionalities

Join Author Deirdre V. Lovecky at our upcoming SENG Author Visit – Different Minds: Gifted Children with ADHD, ASD, and Other Dual Exceptionalities, Second Edition. Learn more and register here: https://ow.ly/lhuM50QXzVM

Date: Tuesday, April 9th, 7:00 pm

 

February/March:

Opportunities/ Resources

William & Mary School of Education: Twice Exceptional Conference

Researchers, teachers, clinicians share their expertise on meeting the needs of twice-exceptional students at school & home. Parent sessions are available.

When? Feb. 23rd-24th (Cost involved)

Select this link to learn more.

Doodle for Google

The annual contest where students (grades K-12) enter a doodle based on a theme. The theme for 2023 is:  “My Wish for the Next 25 Years.” Awesome prizes include scholarships, Google hardware, and Google swag. Select this link to learn more.

Deadline: March 14th, 2024

RFK Speak Truth to the Power Contest

Video contest where students use film as a tool to discuss human rights issues that resonate with them. Select this link to learn more.

Deadline: April 26, 2024

3M Young Scientist Challenge

The annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to submit a 1-2 minute video describing a unique solution to an everyday problem for the chance to win $25,000 and an exclusive 3M Mentorship. Ten finalists will be chosen for their passion for science, spirit of innovation and ingenuity, and effective communication skills. For more information on this contest, click here.

Deadline: May 2, 2024

SENG Authors: Gifted & Struggling

Join SENG for an Author Visit on Tuesday, February 27th at 7:00PM EST! Dr. Lin Lim and Adam Laningham will discuss their book series & answer questions. Ticket sales benefit the SENG Scholarship Fund. Learn more & register here: https://ow.ly/3q3L50Qv6nl

SENGinar: How to Find a Therapist for your Gifted Child

The next SENGinar is Tuesday, March 12th! Join James Bishop for “How to Find a Therapist for Your Gifted Child.” Learn more and register here: https://sengifted.org/events/senginar-how-to-find-a-therapist-for-your-gifted-child

December/ January:

Opportunities

Summer Camp Opportunities

Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities available for your child! Most camps have updated their information and some have already started to accept applications! Select this link to be taken to summer camp opportunities.

William and Mary Center for Gifted Education: Saturday Enrichment Programs

SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning for students. The program is not meant to supplant the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able youngsters to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and arts. Course activities are compatible with the expected achievement of talented students at specific grade and age levels.

2023 registration is now open. Select this link to access the site. 

International Aviation Art Contest

The Virginia Department of Aviation runs the Virginia Aviation Art Contest each year.  This contest is a part of the International Aviation Art Contest offered by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) and open to students ages 6 through 17.  Each year a theme is selected and the contest is conducted around the world.The theme for the 2024 International Aviation Art Contest is Air Sports for a Peaceful World.Eligibility: All children in the age groups shown on the contest brochure (ages 6-17) are encouraged to participate in the contest, even if they are related to officials or employees of the FAI or any of its member organizations.

Deadline: January 9, 2024

More info: https://doav.virginia.gov/programs-and-services/education/art_contest/

2024 NASA Langley Student Art Contest

NASA’S Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia is inviting students in grades K-12 to draw, paint or design what’s next in science, aeronautics, and exploration in the 2024 NASA Langley Student Art Contest. The contest is open to all children grades K-12 attending public, private, parochial and homeschools who are residents of the United States.

The Art Contest submission period begins on December 1, 2023, and concludes on December 31, 2023, at midnight EST.

For more information, please click here.

C-SPAN StudentCam 2024

StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation.This year, we’re asking students in grades 6-12 to create a short (5-6 minute) video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Looking Forward While Considering the Past”

The submission deadline for all entries is Friday, January 19, 2024.

For more information, please click here.

Need book recommendations for gift giving?

Brightly: Best Middle Grade Books: https://www.readbrightly.com/middle-grade-chapter-books-2023/

Young Adult Books of 2023: https://www.readbrightly.com/young-adult-books-2023/

Recommendations from our Librarian, Diane Tan:

Mensa for Kids Excellence in Reading

The Mensa Foundation recognizes and encourages education, gifted youth, and lifelong learning through resources like the Mensa for Kids website and other programs for youth and those who support them. This program is open internationally to any and all readers under 18 years of age, their teachers, and librarians.

Select this link to learn more.

November:

Opportunities

Future Problem Solving Program International FPSPI is a dynamic international program involving thousands of students annually from around the world. Developed in 1974 by creativity pioneer Dr. E. Paul Torrance, Future Problem Solving (FPS) provides competitive and non-competitive components for today’s curriculum via a six-step model which teaches critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and decision making. For more information, check out their website here.
APS High School Information Sessions

Each high school offers an in-person information session between November and December. Families are encouraged to attend to learn about their assigned neighborhood school or option school of interest, meet school staff, and ask questions.

November

  • Wakefield High School (Focus on immersion and the AP Network) – Mon, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.
  • Washington-Liberty High School (Intro to academics, life at W-l and focus on IB Diploma Programme) – Thu, Nov. 30, 7 p.m.

December

  • Yorktown High School (AP Capstone) – Tue, Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
  • H-B Woodlawn – Tue, Dec. 12, 7 p.m.
  • Arlington Tech – Wed, Dec. 13, 7  p.m.

RESOURCES

SENGChat: Building Gifted Students Positive Toolbox

Gifted youth are continuously overwhelmed with the intensity of their inner world and the unrest of our global conditions. In this session Dr. Patricia Gatto-Walden will explore ways for children to effectively contend with isolation and loneliness, academic stress, and existential anxiety.  Focus will be on building positive tools to cope with everyday tensions and construct self-acceptance, confidence, and health.

https://www.sengifted.org/events/sengchat-building-gifted-childrens-positive-toolbox

Nov 14, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Online Discussion, cost $40

SENGinar: Same, Similar, or Different? Openness to Experience, Overexcitability

Are gifted students different from their peers in ways that go beyond intelligence?  Dr. Shelagh Gallagher will present a look at research on Openness to Experience and Overexcitabilities, their similarities and differences, and trends that help describe some of the sometimes hard-to-capture differences between gifted students and their peers. Research suggests that being highly Open is associated with creativity, and that high levels of Openness coincide with the presence of multiple overexcitabilities; we will consider the implications of that for students’ fit in traditional school environments. We’ll take a look at Conscientiousness, too!

https://www.sengifted.org/events/senginar-same-similar-or-different-openness-to-experience-overexcitability

Nov 28, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Online Webinar, cost $40

The Neurodiversity Podcast

This week, Emily Kircher Morrey talks with Phyllis Fagell about the challenges and discoveries of navigating middle school, and how to help neurodivergent tweens recognize and use their unique abilities for personal growth.

https://neurodiversitypodcast.com/

October:

Opportunities

William and Mary’s Fall Virtual Saturday Enrichment Programs

SEP is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning for students. The program is not meant to supplant the regular school curriculum; rather, it recognizes the importance of allowing able youngsters to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and arts. Course activities are compatible with the expected achievement of talented students at specific grade and age levels.  Fees are involved. Fall 2023 brochure available here.

Registration: Open now. Select this link.

Fall On-Campus Super Saturday I: October 14, 2023Fall On-Campus Super Saturday II: October 21, 2023 Fall Virtual SEP: November 4, 11, 18, 2023

PTA Reflections: I Am Hopeful Because…

This 50+ year-old program helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

For more information, please see the WMS PTA Contest Reflections Page for more details.

The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, November 21st.

 

ArtSong

The purpose of the NATS Art Song Composition Award is to simulate the creation of quality vocal literature through the cooperation of singer and composer.

Select this link to learn more about the guidelines to enter the competition. Fee involved.

Deadline to apply: December 1, 2023

Scope

Scope is packed with contests to get your students excited about writing. And they can win awesome prizes! On this page find information about our current contests, including entry forms and deadlines.

Select this link to learn more.

Deadline: November 20, 2023

APS Arts Education Department: Jr Honors, Honors Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Music Program

Join this after-school music program run by the Arts Education Department, with auditions for different sections with Band, Orchestra, and Chorus, being held for grade levels 4-8.

Select this link to access details regarding dates, registrations, and weblinks.

Veterans of Foreign Wars: Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition

This VFW-sponsored youth message competition gives students an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on an annual patriotic theme.

Select this link to obtain an entry form and read more.

Deadline: October 31, 2023.

 

The New York Times: Tiny Memoir Contest for Students

 

The New York Times has been encouraging students to write a short, powerful story about a meaningful experience from their lives, but there’s a twist: They must do it in 100 words or fewer. The Rules:

  • Your tiny memoir should be a short, powerful, true story about a meaningful experience from your own life.
  • It must be 100 words or fewer, not including the title.
  • You must be a student ages 13 to 19 in middle school or high school to participate, and all students must have parent or guardian permission to enter. Please see the F.A.Q. section for additional eligibility details.
  • Your essay must be your own work and original for this contest. That means it should not have been published anywhere else at the time of submission, such as in a school newspaper.
  • Keep your audience in mind. You’re writing for a family newspaper, so, for example, no curse words, please.
  • Submit only one entry per student.
  • While many of our contests allow students to work in teams, for this one you must work alone.
  • All entries must be submitted by November 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time using the submission form that will post on Oct. 4th.

RESOURCES

SENG: “Stress, Learning, and the Gifted Child”

“Even a small understanding of how stress shuts off learning can open up new approaches to teaching and learning, both in the home and at school.” Suki Wessling writes on stress, learning, and the #gifted child in this article from the #SENG library: http://ow.ly/XXrC30nujPd

SENG: Articles on stress, anxiety, depression or trauma.

#SENG has numerous articles on these topics in the SENG Library. Follow this link to learn more: https://sengifted.org/stress

Harvard Alumni for Gifted Education: A Symposium on Gifted Education (Fee involved)

@MAgifted hosts the “Symposium on Gifted Education” with Harvard Alumni for Education. The line-up is incredible, featuring many familiar faces from The G Word community. More details here: https://massgifted.org/conference

October 15, 2023, 9:00-5:00 pm

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth: “Is My Kid Gifted?”

“Keep in mind that while some combination of these traits is common in academically advanced children — it certainly does not characterize them all. As Inman notes, ‘Gifted children are children first, and each is unique.’” Select this link to learn more.