A Shout-Out!

Congratulations to our good friend Keri Guilbault on her latest accomplishments. Having recently earned her doctorate in education, she was just chosen president-elect for the Florida Association for the Gifted. She will begin her two-year term as president on January 1, 2012, replacing Dr. Lauri Kirsch. Dr. Guilbault currently serves FLAG as its legislative chair, and had previously been conference chair and parent liaison. She also worked with Dr. Ruf as Associate Gifted Children's Program Coordinator with American Mensa, taking over from Dr. Ruf when she relinquished that position in 2009. We send our best wishes to Keri!

This year's Wallace National Research Symposium on Talent Development is scheduled for May 16-18, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The Symposium focuses on research and theory construction in talent development, creativity, and gifted education. The Symposium, which is internationally renowned for being one of the premiere scholarly conferences where the latest in gifted education research is presented, brings together the leading researchers and theoreticians in the field to provide a forum for their most current work.

Dr. Ruf will speak on "Designing and Validating an On-line Qualitative Ability Instrument for Ages Two to Six Years."

While most of our newsletter information is focused on gifted children, we know that gifted adults need support and encouragement, too. So this month we are passing along some information specifically intended for our grown-up readers.

Talent Development Resources: This started out as a project based on psychologist Douglas Eby's research in psychology to better understand his own social, emotional and achievement challenges, and to publish articles and other material that might help other people as well. Eby and his associate editor include more and more contemporary research and commentary that they hope will have value for your own self-understanding, career development and personal growth. The basic purpose of his site is to provide information and inspiration to enhance creative expression and personal development, to explore the psychology of creativity and personal growth, and to better understand how to realize your multiple talents and be more aware of barriers that get in the way.

Back to School for Grownups: Your Guide to Making Sound Decisions (And How to Not Get Run Over by the School Bus) was established in 2009 by Laura H. Gilbert, Ph.D.  The book, website and materials are based on her own back-to-school experience and many years helping others do the same. Laura's passion for adult learners began when she returned to school as a single mother of four and was inspired by the life stories and perseverance of her peers. Today, having completed four back-to-school journeys, Laura shares her energy and insight about the adult learner experience as a university instructor, consultant, speaker and coach.

Trailblazer Coaching: Jim Earley started a full-time business in January 1991, becoming Minnesota's first Professional Business Coach. For 10 years, he identified himself as "Jim Earley, Performance Coach." Then in November 2000 he sensed it was time for a new professional identity, something that spoke as much about creating a direction in life as it did about finding one. So he created Trailblazer Coaching - when you realize the road you are on won't get you where you want to go.  He knew that nearly every person who had hired him had faced the need to do something they had never done before. Every coaching client faces a trail they need to blaze, he said.

Authors Judy Galbraith and Jim Delisle, with their publisher Free Spirit Publishing, are working on a new edition of The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook. This will be based on the actual experiences, frustrations, desires, and ideas of students like yours, and so they request your gifted teen's input.

The survey is for gifted teens ages 11 to 17, and includes questions about giftedness, education, relationships, and personal growth. All responses are anonymous and confidential.

Your gifted teen can take this survey today at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/GKSG.

In a secret lab, a mysterious scientist has been investigating how to power robotic creatures. The scientist requests the help of participants to explore new types of energy to help power the robotic creatures.

This is one of the modules offered by Camp Invention, where children entering grades one through six spend the week building, powering, and exploring the capabilities of their own fantasy creatures by investigating wind, solar, and hydro power. They explore how they can light an LED with a small fan, waterwheels, and lemons, and they also create creatures made from everyday materials.

Last year one of our clients was a winner in the Torrance Creative Writing Awards. So we are especially pleased to announce the 2010 contest. Students in grades 4 through 12 are encouraged and invited to submit their finest creative work to help celebrate the great legacy of educator and creativity pioneer Dr. E. Paul Torrance, author of more than 2,000 tests, articles, and books.

Poetry submissions may respond to either The Celebration Of Life or What Do You See In Life And How Do You Respond To It? Short stories may focus on one of the following creative themes: Building Sand Castles, Crossing Out Mistakes or Listening For Smells. Students are encouraged to freely interpret these themes. Please note that there is a 1,250 word limit for stories. There is no prescribed word limit for poems. Students are free to submit one short story and one poem. 

All submissions must be postmarked by August 2, 2010. Entries may also be submitted electronically at http://www.ststesting.com/cw_2010.html.

We recently learned of this four-year high school scholarship, for which the information is included below. Please note that the application postmark date is May 10, and part of the requirements include scores from the SAT-1 Reasoning Test.

The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is given to exceptionally gifted middle school students who exhibit advanced intellectual talent and have the ability to demonstrate academic and personal excellence. Bradley Scholars receive a four-year high school scholarship that covers tuition and books, and guidance in identifying and applying to high schools that will provide the most appropriate educational environment for their needs. The Institute for Educational Advancement provides academic guidance and support throughout each Scholar's high school career.

The application process is open to current seventh graders who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and achievement, have achieved a score of at least 97% in one or more of the major academic areas of a school administered, nationally normed standardized test (i.e., Stanford 9, ERB) for the past two years, and scores 500 or higher in either the verbal or math component on the SAT-1 Reasoning Test. 

For more information, go to http://www.educationaladvancement.org/programs/caroline-d-bradley-scholarship .

The second annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium will be held in Austin, Minnesota June 13-17, 2010. This opportunity for educators, psychologists, counselors, administrators and parents is made possible through a Hormel Foundation grant in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Education and Austin Public Schools. It is an intensive educational experience designed to foster greater understanding of the unique needs of gifted and talented learners for both novice and experienced participants.

Registration is now open for the 2010 University of Minnesota Careers in Engineering and Physical Sciences. This is a program which allows high school students to sample various engineering projects and is an excellent introduction to what engineering is all about.

The Institute of Technology (soon to be renamed College of Science andEngineering) is pleased to announce this STEM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) week-long summer program is available for high school students entering 10th, 11th, and 12th grade in Fall 2010. It features hands-on activities, demonstrations, and presentations designed to introduce majors and future careers in the STEM disciplines. There are 5 possible weeks to choose from, including two reserved for young women only. Scholarship and transportation assistance are available.

Application priority deadline is Friday, April 30, 2010. However, applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until May 31. More information and application materials can be found at http://www.it.umn.edu/outreach/eceps.

Universe in the Park is a summer outreach program hosted by the University of Minnesota's Department of Astronomy and area state parks. At these events, representatives of the department present a 20- to 30-minute talk and slide show. Presentations cover a variety of astronomical topics such as the history of matter, how astronomers see, and a journey through our solar system.

Afterwards, if weather allows, attendees have the opportunity to view the sky through multiple 8-inch reflecting telescopes, operated by the staff and provided by the Department of Astronomy. Additionally, free star maps are provided (e.g. www.skymaps.com) and the staff are happy to show visitors how to use them. Throughout the evening, questions from the audience are encouraged.

For the summer of 2010, there are events scheduled at fourteen different parks and nature centers. Events are scheduled Fridays and Saturdays, (rain or shine) starting June 18th and ending September 11th. Presentations typically run from 8:30 to 10:00 or 11:00pm. The events are FREE, although usually a vehicle permit is required to enter the parks. So bring your family and friends!

See the schedule http://www.astro.umn.edu/outreach/uitp/schedule.html for more details. Or contact Karl Isensee at isensee@astro.umn.edu or 612-626-1841.