Are Minnesotans afraid of the Ivies? Sometimes that can appear to be the case as a disproportionate number of east and west coast students occupy seats in the ivies.  So why don't more Minnesotans consider these highly selective schools?  Are they somehow less qualified?  Why do so many of our brightest prefer to stick close to home?  Do Minnesota high school counselors encourage our best and brightest to aim high enough?

For the second year in a row, Edina Center for Academic Excellence (ECAE) and Ivy Insiders are sponsoring a free Ivy Student Panel for families to meet Minnesota students who attend Ivy League colleges. This panel will explore these questions by featuring Minnesota students who have recently completed their first year of college at an Ivy League institution.  They will share admission advice, their perspectives on the value of attending an Ivy, if they have any regrets about their choice, what they wish they had or had not done while in high school.  This evening will leave a strong impression on all. 
 
This event will be Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Edina Community Center, Room 350, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina. Free admission to students in grades 6 through 11 and their families!  For more information go to www.ecae.net.
 

The Belin-Blank Center at The University of Iowa will be hosting the Fifth Biennial Belin-Blank Advanced Leadership Institute (B-BALI) at The University of Iowa's Memorial Union, Thursday and Friday, June 25-26, 2009.  At each institute, the topic is something of critical interest in the field. This year's focus, Twice Exceptionality: Examined & Explained, will address issues of tremendous importance to administrators, educators, and parents of twice-exceptional learners.  Experts will present on gifted learners who are also affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders, Specific Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as learners with hearing and/or visual impairments.
 
Immediately prior to the Belin-Blank Advanced Leadership will be the optional Pre-Institute, entitled Paradox of Giftedness and Autism.  The Pre-Institute will be Thursday, June 25, 9:00 a.m. to noon.  Experts on twice-exceptional students with diagnoses within the Autism Spectrum will present to participants on aspects unique to this group of learners.