Summer Gifted Studies Program

The Summer Gifted Studies Program, a one-week residential activity, serves intellectually gifted students in grades four through eight. The program, celebrating its 30th year of service, is designed to enhance cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities of gifted students through planned enrichment/acceleration activities. Emphasis is placed on inidvidual participation in areas that provide in-depth analysis of specific topics of interest. The students will have the opportunity to participate in leisure, recreational, and cultural activities with other gifted youth.

Students will be housed in dormitories on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Instructional activities will be conducted in classrooms on the campus. Qualified teachers, supervisors and counselors will be with the students at all times. Certificates of completion are given to each participant, but there are no grades or credits assigned. The deadline for application is March 31 of each year with the program conducted the last week in June.

The following courses are being offered:

BUSINESS LEADERS: TODAY AND TOMORROW
GRADES 4, 5, 6

Learning to develop and start a business is fun and exciting. Students will learn about the type of companies they can start now or in the near future. The students will develop the necessary knowledge and skills, from planning the business to working with customers.

WORLD CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
GRADES 4, 5, 6

Students will explore the philosophic, social, economic, artistic, and political contributions of selected cultures. An understanding of the people, culture, and customs will be developed through research, group discussions, and creative projects.

INVENTIONS
GRADES 4, 5, 6

Students will probe man's pursuit to improve his way of life. Based on what they have learned, students will create their own inventions using the creative problem-solving process.

MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!
GRADES 4, 5, 6

Students will explore the history of money and will learn how to make, save, and wisely use it. They will learn the futures and stock exchanges. Mutual funds and international trade will also be discussed. They will get a head start on their financial futures!

MIND POWER
GRADES, 4, 5, 6

Students will explore the relationship between the brain and the mind. They will be involved in various lectures, discussions, and activites that demonstrate the capability of the brain and the power of the mind as they relate to the processes of learning. Specific techniques of group dynamics, scientific and library research skills, and skills in communication will be developed and enhanced through this course of study.

DESIGN STUDIO
GRADES, 4, 5, 6

Students will explore the various processes that are necessary in developing creative projects and products. Skills relating to the elements, media, and principles of design will be communicated through problem-solving and divergent and convergent thinking experiences.

BUSINESS LEADERS TODAY AND TOMORROW
GRADES 7, 8

Students will learn how to start their own businesses. They will learn the fun and exhilaration of being entrepreneurs. Skills in developing a business plan, public relations, planning, decision making, budgeting, and money management will be developed and enhanced.

WORLD CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
GRADES 7, 8

Students will be involved in a systematic investigation of historical and contemporary issues of selected world cultures. Political, economic, and social structures that have shaped the relations between various nations of the world will be analyzed through research, group interaction, communication, and creative problem-solving.

INVENTIONS
GRADES 7, 8

Students will analyze their world and brainstorm inventions that would improve their lives. They will then formulate their own inventions and explore methods of marketing through the use of creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

MONEY! MONEY! MONEY!
GRADES 7, 8

Through a study of the history of money, students will learn how they can wisely generate, save, and use it. Futures and stock exchanges, as well as mutual funds and international trade, will be the focus of class discussions, problem-solving, and investigation.  

WRITE ON!
GRADES 7, 8

Through methods including brainstorming, topic formation, organization, analysis, and revision, students will explore creative writing in its various genres. Ample opportunity will be given for practice of these methods as well as constructive feedback.

MIND POWER
GRADES 7, 8

Students will engage in neurophysiological study of the brain, its structure and function, and its relationship to the psychological power of the mind. Various aspects to be investigated are learning processes, learning styles, and learning efficiency involving thought and memory. As students work through investigations, particular emphasis will be placed on enhancement of higher cognitive skills, critical thinking, creativity, and research.

DESIGN STUDIO
GRADES 7, 8

Students will develop an awareness of the various principles relating to design: balance, emphasis, repetition, variety, and movements through an examination of projects and products developed by professionals. Skills relating to the critique and evaluation of quality creative projects and products will be emphasized.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Intellectually and academically gifted students enrolled in grades four through eight in the 2007-2008 school year may be eligible for the program.  If not previously enrolled in 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 this application.  Applications of eligible students will be considered according to the order of receipt.  Because the program is designed for intellectually and academically gifted students, Mississippi guidelines will be adhered to in determining eligibility status, meaning that the students must meet at least one of the following criteria:

 1.  An IQ score of 120 or above on an individually administered intelligence test  (WISC-III, WISC-IV, WNV, Stanford-Binet IV, Stanford-Binet 5, Leiter  R, RIAS, KABC, KABC-II, NNAT-I or UNIT.)  The test must be administered by an approved examiner.

 2.  Standardized achievement test scores at the 90th percentile or above at the national level in one of the following areas: Total Reading, Total Language (or Listening), Total Math, or Total Battery.

 3.  Mississippi Curriculum Test scale score in 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 of $475, which is not refundable, includes tuition, room, board, recreational activities, and limited accident insurance. Registration fees may be charged to your VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit card account. Financial aid based on need is available on a limited basis; however, we ask that you first seek financial aid within your community. Civic organizations and businesses may be interested in sponsoring a student. Contact with such groups should be made directly by the teacher, school counselor, administrator, and/or parent.

APPLICATION:

Applications of eligible students will be considered according to the order of receipt of application. Deadline for application to all sessions is March 31, 2008.

Notification of acceptance will be mailed to parents on April 10, 2008. Deadline for payment of $475 tuition is April 20, 2008.