The Center for Gifted Studies

The Center for Gifted Studies:

Welcome

Super Saturday classes provide opportunities for high ability students in grades 1-7 to broaden the scope of their interests and interact with other bright young people. The classes emphasize a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning in an environment in which creative and critical thinking are encouraged.Questions about Super Saturdas may be directed to The Center at 270.745.6323.

Welcome to the online home for The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University. Since 1981, The Center has provided educational services and resources for gifted students, their parents, and educators. Under the direction of Dr. Julia Roberts, one of the nation’s leaders in gifted education, The Center has grown to become one of the foremost centers of gifted education and service. In fact, people from all 120 Kentucky counties, 49 states, and 21 foreign countries have participated in our programming.

As The Center enters its twenty-seventh year, we renew our commitment to encouraging excellence by providing educational opportunities and resources to three populations: young people who are gifted and talented, their educators, and their parents.

Find information and opportunities pertaining to each of these populations in the website. Please note The Challenge as well; this award-winning magazine, produced twice yearly, provides an excellent overview of who we are, what we do, and what we believe in.

News

08/21/08 - Gifted Education: Let's Do It! Video Now Online

The Center for Gifted Studies is pleased to announce the video "Gifted Education: Let's Do It!" is now available online. Students, educators, administrators, and professionals weigh in on the importance of promoting opportunities for young Kentuckians who are gifted and talented. To view the video, click here.

08/21/08 - Past SCATS and VAMPY Slideshows Available Online

Slideshow Image For students who have participated in The Center's summer programs, one of the most anticipated moments of camp is the slideshow on the final evening. We are delighted to announce that several slideshows from recent years are now available for viewing and download online. To access these slideshow, click here.

06/12/08 - Administrators Institute Materials

Presentation materials and resources from the 2008 Administrators Institute, Leading a School that Meets the Needs of the Gifted: Differentiation and Beyond, is now available for download for a limited time. This downloadable ZIP file contains the Powerpoint presentation, worksheets, and other useful resources. To download the file, click here.

05/21/08 - Duke TIP Honors Kentucky Seventh-Graders for Achievement

Some of the most academically talented seventh-graders in Kentucky will be recognized at Western Kentucky University on May 30 for their exceptional scores on the ACT or SAT.

The Duke University Talent Identification Program’s (Duke TIP) 7th Grade Talent Search identifies students in 16 states in the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest who have scored in the 95th percentile on a grade-level achievement test. As part of the program, these academically talented students take above-level college-entrance exams (SAT or ACT) to learn more about their abilities.

Duke TIP hosts annual Recognition Ceremonies to honor the seventh-graders who score highest on these SAT or ACT exams. This year, of the 66,198 participants nationally, 21,115 students (32 percent) have been invited to attend State Recognition Ceremonies and 1,804 students (3 percent) have been invited to the Grand Recognition Ceremony.

On May 30, 1,276 Kentucky students who qualified for state recognition have been invited to the Kentucky Recognition Ceremony to be held at WKU’s Diddle Arena.

Events

12/04/08

Leadership Institute XIII:

December 4-5, 2008
This workshop will look at practical, real-world strategies, tools, and resources to develop the leadership potential in young people, with a focus on problem solving, decision-making, and communication.

11/01/08

Fall 2008 Super Saturdays:

November 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2008 - 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday classes provide opportunities for high ability students in grades 1-7 to broaden the scope of their interests and interact with other bright young people. The classes emphasize a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning in an environment in which creative and critical thinking are encouraged.

10/23/08

Berta Lecture Series:

October 23-24, 2008
Bonnie Cramond, Ph.D., Director of the Torrance Center for Creative Studies and Talent Development at the University of Georgia will present Creativity: Glorious Gift or Awful Affliction? to parents and other interested people on the evening of October 23. On October 24, she will present Infusing Creativity and Critical Children Who Underachieve to educators and parents. Both events are free of charge.