Enrichment Opportunities for Students and Parents
Iowa State OPPTAG Program
Iowa State's Office of Precollegiate Programs for the Talented and Gifted has many different programs for kids from Talent Searches to Summer Programs. http://www.opptag.iastate.edu/
Summer programs include:
Adventures--for students entering grades 3-7--a non-residential camp with many awesome course
Explorations--for students entering grades 8-12--a residential camp with cutting-edge concepts within a topic area which stimulate thinking skills and allow students to "dig into" a topic in an in depth manner.
Summer programs include:
Adventures--for students entering grades 3-7--a non-residential camp with many awesome course
Explorations--for students entering grades 8-12--a residential camp with cutting-edge concepts within a topic area which stimulate thinking skills and allow students to "dig into" a topic in an in depth manner.
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory
Natural History Workshop: Molecular Ecology 2 cr.
Joshua Livermore,
University of Notre DameUI: 00L:030
ISU: Ia LL:293
UNI: 890:030
Drake: LLAB 031
Natural History Workshops are introductory courses suitable for anyone who is interested in learning more about the natural world. This class is an applications-centered overview of molecular biology based characterization of ecosystems. Molecular biology techniques (primarily DNA based) have become broadly accessible and affordable, spurring their use beyond laboratory based studies of single organisms into characterization of whole ecosystems. Practical applications of these technologies to be discussed includes detection of invasive species DNA in aquatic ecosystems, quantification of human health hazards like E. coli at recreation sites, and characterization of bacterial diversity in natural and engineered systems. For the field component of the course we will collect environmental DNA samples from water bodies in the Iowa Great Lakes region. From these samples we will use molecular biology techniques to detect DNA from aquatic invasive species of concern to the region including silver carp, bighead carp, and zebra mussels. In addition to an excellent academic exercise, this class project will help to delineate the possible presence and extent of these problem species in the region.
Meets June 3-14, 2013.
Course fee to be announced.
Joshua Livermore,
University of Notre DameUI: 00L:030
ISU: Ia LL:293
UNI: 890:030
Drake: LLAB 031
Natural History Workshops are introductory courses suitable for anyone who is interested in learning more about the natural world. This class is an applications-centered overview of molecular biology based characterization of ecosystems. Molecular biology techniques (primarily DNA based) have become broadly accessible and affordable, spurring their use beyond laboratory based studies of single organisms into characterization of whole ecosystems. Practical applications of these technologies to be discussed includes detection of invasive species DNA in aquatic ecosystems, quantification of human health hazards like E. coli at recreation sites, and characterization of bacterial diversity in natural and engineered systems. For the field component of the course we will collect environmental DNA samples from water bodies in the Iowa Great Lakes region. From these samples we will use molecular biology techniques to detect DNA from aquatic invasive species of concern to the region including silver carp, bighead carp, and zebra mussels. In addition to an excellent academic exercise, this class project will help to delineate the possible presence and extent of these problem species in the region.
Meets June 3-14, 2013.
Course fee to be announced.
Summer on the Brain programs at Belin Blank
Summer Programs at the Belin-Blank Center
Visit the website for more information here.
- Enjoy taking challenging courses, connecting with interesting classmates, and learning from inspirational teachers
- Explore a variety of cultural and recreational activities that encourage friendships and extend your learning outside the classroom
- Experience college life as you live, study, and play in university classrooms, laboratories, dining halls, and recreational centers
- We are pleased to announce the establishment of a CHESS site in Ankeny, in the greater Des Moines area. The Ankeny CHESS classes will be held July 8-12 and will run from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, with an hour lunch break. We are working on developing four different classes for students in grades 4-6 to choose from. Mark your calendars now!
Visit the website for more information here.
Summer Enrichment Adventures West Des Moines
June 10-21SEA is a two-week summer program for high achieving, motivated students who will be entering grades 1-8 in the fall. To enroll, students must either be identified for a gifted program or score at or above the 90th percentile on Iowa Assessments. Students entering grades 1-3 who do not have test scores may enroll only if they enjoy fast-paced, challenging experiences.
The classes include: Fascinating Forensics, Exploring Reptiles & Amphibians, Puppets, Computer Lego Robotics, Be the Artist, Bubble-ology, Rocketry, Exploring the Night Sky plus many more fun and challenging classes.
Go to the website here.
The classes include: Fascinating Forensics, Exploring Reptiles & Amphibians, Puppets, Computer Lego Robotics, Be the Artist, Bubble-ology, Rocketry, Exploring the Night Sky plus many more fun and challenging classes.
Go to the website here.
Gifted Summer Programs @ Iowa State University
CY-TAG (student entering grades 8-12) will appeal to you if you are interested in accelerated, fast-paced, academic courses that address your individual needs and learning styles. You will be in class approximately 100 hours of instructional time, which will attempt to cover a full year of high school or a semester of college material. Imagine the extraordinary challenging, rigorous three-week voyage of the mind that awaits you!
Explorations (students entering grades 8-10) will appeal to you if you are intrigued by discovering new and exciting areas of study not traditionally taught in the school curriculum. Each one-week voyage will offer you an enriched learning experience, introduce you to cutting-edge concepts within a topic area, be student focused, and immerse you in activities and laboratories designed to stimulate your thinking skills and encourage you to continue your personal adventure in learning.
Adventures (students entering grades 3-7) is a program designed to specifically challenge the minds of younger students who are exhibiting academic promise at an early age. This program will give younger students the opportunity to explore the worlds of science, math, art, literature, readings, and engineering in the company of qualified instructors and fellow gifted students. OPPTAG strives to offer challenging academic experiences that incorporate hands-on experimentation and provide students with experiences not found in the traditional classroom.
Click here for the full website.
Explorations (students entering grades 8-10) will appeal to you if you are intrigued by discovering new and exciting areas of study not traditionally taught in the school curriculum. Each one-week voyage will offer you an enriched learning experience, introduce you to cutting-edge concepts within a topic area, be student focused, and immerse you in activities and laboratories designed to stimulate your thinking skills and encourage you to continue your personal adventure in learning.
Adventures (students entering grades 3-7) is a program designed to specifically challenge the minds of younger students who are exhibiting academic promise at an early age. This program will give younger students the opportunity to explore the worlds of science, math, art, literature, readings, and engineering in the company of qualified instructors and fellow gifted students. OPPTAG strives to offer challenging academic experiences that incorporate hands-on experimentation and provide students with experiences not found in the traditional classroom.
Click here for the full website.
NRICH Maths page @ Cambridge University
Fun math games for all ages! NRICH aims to:
- Enrich the experience of the mathematics curriculum for all learners
- Offer challenging and engaging activities
- Develop mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Show rich mathematics in meaningful contexts
- Work in partnership with teachers, schools and other educational settings