Saturday Gifted Studies Program

The 2009 Saturday Gifted Studies Program will be held January 17 – February 28. Information regarding the 2009 program will be available on this site soon.

To familiarize yourself with the format of this program, you may wish to review the following information from the 2008 Saturday Gifted Studies Program.

The Saturday Gifted Studies Program at The University of Southern Mississippi meets seven consecutive Saturdays from the middle of January through February. Intellectually gifted students with intelligence quotients of 120 or above or those who score in the 90th percentile or above at the national level on a group achievement test on either the Total Reading, Total Math, Total Language, or Total Battery are served through a wide variety of enrichment courses in the humanities, social studies, language arts, mathematics, science and technology, and the arts. The program is open to gifted students in pre-kindergarten (4- or 5-year olds) through Grade 12. The deadline for application is November 10.

The Saturday Gifted Studies Program is designed to enhance cognitive and affective abilities of gifted students through planned enrichment/acceleration programming. Emphasis is placed on participation in areas that provide in-depth analysis of specific topics in small group activities with other gifted youth.

Pre - K and 5 year olds
Under the Sea Students will explore different creatures of the marine world, man's effect on the sea, and what the floor of the ocean is like. Creative problem-solving and hands-on activities will be featured.	AND	Great Leaders Students will examine the lives of people across all ages and cultures who have made a difference in our world. In studying about these individuals, students will identify characteristics of great people and how they can emulate those in their own lives.
Kindergarten - Grade 1
Journey into Space Do you have dreams of being an astronaut? From space stations to cosmic creations, the world of space will be explored. Students will go on a “journey” into space disc overing the solar system, space travel, and the life of an astronaut. They will use predictions, creative problem solving, role playing, and simulations as they participate in a “space adventure.”	AND	Animals! Animals! Animals! Study creatures great and small in this observation of familiar and unusual animals. Divergent and critical thinking skills will be exercised as students work independently and in small groups to explore a variety of species and analyze interactions with man and nature.
Grade 2 - Grade 3
Dollars and Sense The students will explore the history of money and will learn how to make, save, and wisely use it. They will learn the stock and futures markets and exchanges. Mutual funds and international trade will also be discussed. They will get a head start on their financial futures!	AND	Fun Seeker's Science The students in Fun-Seekers' Science will participate each week in a hands-on scientific experiment and learn the related principles. Also incorporated into this course of study is an opportunity to think creatively in solving problems.
OR Spanish Students will learn the basics of Spanish grammar, expression, and culture. Students will engage in both oral and written activities in cooperative and individual formats.
Grades 4 - 6
Law Connections Students will explore laws that specifically affect youth and will analyze the effects of selected laws on society, technology, and the environment. Activities will include problem solving, group disc ussions, and exploration of legal issues with the intent of enabling students to formulate their own opinions on legal issues and conceptualize the connections between law and life.	AND	Environmental Solutions Through creative problem solving and simulation, the students will create solutions to environmental problems. They will study about present and future ecological systems and the effect man has on the balance of them.
OR Author! Author! An Introduction to Creative Writing What are the components of an interesting story or poem? This course incorporates the elements and structure of good writing into the students' presentations of original ideas. The students will compare various styles of writing and will create their own books.
Grades 7 - 12 Select One

Debate We are constantly being called upon to make judgments and explain our reasons for them. By preparing and participating in debates, students will develop their skills of inquiry, reasoning, and communication and apply these in making reasoned judgments on topics of current interest and significance.	OR	Psychology: Discovering Yourself Students will explore the world of psychology by studying their thoughts and actions. Several topics within the field of psychology will be introduced, such as development, personality, intelligence, and socialization. Application to our daily lives will be explored through participation in self-awareness activities.
OR Forensic Science Forensic science is the application of science to those criminal and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies in a criminal justice system. Students will be introduced to such topics as crime scene investigation, photography, fingerprinting analysis, trace evidence, packaging and presentation of evidence, fiber and hair comparison, and glass reconstruction.

 

WHO MAY APPLY Any gifted student of Pre - kindergarten age (4 or 5 years old) through 12th grade may be eligible for the program. Applications must come through the student's school (principal, teacher, counselor, psychologist, or special education director) with parental permission for release of information OR by the parent. If completed by the parent, a copy of the IQ or standardized test proving eligibility MUST be attached to the application. Applications of eligible students will be considered according to the order of receipt of the application. Since the program is designed for intellectually and academically gifted students, students must meet at least one of the following criteria for eligibility status:   1. An IQ score of 120 or above on an individually administered intelligence test (WISC-III or WISC-IV or WNV or WPPSI-III or SB-IV or SB5 or Leiter R or RIAS or KABC or KABC-II or NNAT-I or UNIT. The test must be administered by an approved examiner. OR 2. Group achievement test scores at the 90 th percentile or above at the national level on either Total Reading, Total Math, Total Language, or Total Battery. OR 3. Mississippi Curriculum Test scale score on either Reading , Language, or Math equivalent to the 90 th percentile or higher based on student's grade level at the time of test administration. COST The total cost is $170 for the seven-week program, which includes tuition, instructional activities, supplies, materials, and limited accident insurance. Applications should be forwarded to Saturday Gifted Studies Program The University of Southern Mississippi The Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Studies 118 College Drive #8207 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001 (601) 266-5236 or 5246 FAX: (601) 266-4764 APPLICATIONS OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION TO ALL SESSIONS IS NOVEMBER 10, 2007. NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE WILL BE MAILED TO PARENTS ON NOVEMBER,15 2007. DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT OF TUITION IS NOVEMBER 30, 2007. Program fee may be charged to your VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card account.

Application For First time Applicants Application for Previous Participants in Summer Gifted Studies, Saturday Gifted Studies, or Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth