Check out 2 web-sites from the "M-P" academic competitions that you think a gifted student would enjoy. Site page numbers, what you found on the site, and why you think a gifted student would enjoy the competitions.
I really like "National Science Olympiad" pg. 116. It had a lot of information, it wasn't very user friendly. I love science and hands on experiments and I foster that love for science in my kids. I think my GT kids will love it.
The other site that I visited was Odyssey of the Mind.pg 121. Is very easy to navigate, with lots of activities.
1) National Science Bowl, p 115: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov site was down, but I found what I was looking for at: http://science.energy.gov/nsb/high-school/high-school-regionals/hs-rules-forms-resources/sample-science-bowl-questions/ NSB focuses on all of the sciences. I think my students would enjoy ‘tying it all together’. Then, students good in Chemistry could work with those who prefer math or physics or biology. I try to emphasize to all of my classes that the sciences and math are all interwoven. Math is the language of science. Physics shows the fundamentals, chemistry is based on physics and builds their scientific base while biology ties it all together and even brings in some of the social sciences.
2) Physics Bowl, p 124: http://www.aapt.org . Well, I teach physics, so I think they all would want to compete in it! Actually, I think they would like to use some of what we learn in class in a more sports like mode. Also, since they have a US Physics Team, some of my more motivated students would want to compete against peers from all over the US. The scholarships are pretty impressive as well. Also, it has quite a number of colleges sponsoring it, so this would be an asset if they want to go to one of those colleges.
Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition on P121. I found detailed information on the website about the competition, including last year's winners. There was also information about the various types of mechanical puzzles and links to a website with sliding puzzles that you could manipulate. My PGP kiddos last year really enjoyed a unit about mazes, and I think this would make an interesting new unit for them. They also love making things with their hands. I'm not sure if this would be too hard for them.
Odyssey of the Mind on P121. The website has lots of information about the competition and lots of resources, like sample problems at the various levels as well as links to online games. I was previously at a school that did this competition – the kids loved it! The focus of the competition is problem solving, and based on my experience with GT kids, they love doing that.
I am curious about the puzzle design. I would like to look into it more. I think it could be very interesting and challenging for GT students. We have Odyssey of the Mind at our school and the students really enjoy it.
National Science Olympiad on page 116: Website - www.soinc.org seems like a site and program my students would enjoy. They have many different catagories to evaluate the students science knowledge. The students would enjoy working in teams and hands on science experiments/knowledge of skills.
President's Environmental Youth Awards on page 125: www.epa.gov this site aims to recognize students accross the U.S. to support to the environment. The students would really enjoy planting trees, recycling, videos and newsletters. These projects can be done on campus and can help them focus on the environment. I feel both of these sites my students would really enjoy!
I agree Stacey! This would be a fun project for us to do next year with our new group. With the election coming up, and environmental issues a big issue, I can think of many ways we can incorporate this into our curriculum.
Math Olympiads for Elementary Schools (p.90)-www.moems.org Anything Olypics oriented allows get students attention and interest. This competition would be a good competition for GT students to compete against each other and other students.You can administer it as a classroom teacher and report the scores to the official website, which nice for the teacher.
national Geography Bee (p.105)- www.nationalgeographic.com I liked this one because it allows the students to learn more about geography and the world. I think GT students would really enjoy it because it is an area of interest that sometimes doesn't get explored due to focus on math and science.
I really thought the Math Olympiads for Elementary Schools (pg. 90) was a really good site, especially for this coming year. It could be directed at two levels of students, elementary/middle. I liked this because your high achievers would have a stronger competition based program. Competition for my GT students would give them an opportunity to compete against other students at their age but on a national level instead of the student sthey have been in school with. I am definitely going to explore this site in September!
I really liked the National Science Olympiad (pg. 116)because it gave a lot of information. The Math Olympiad for Elementary Schools (pg. 90) was a better site (easier to navigate), but I enjoyed both because it would be fun to get kids to compete in either of these.
I really like "National Science Olympiad" pg. 116. It had a lot of information, it wasn't very user friendly.
ReplyDeleteI love science and hands on experiments and I foster that love for science in my kids. I think my GT kids will love it.
The other site that I visited was Odyssey of the Mind.pg 121. Is very easy to navigate, with lots of activities.
1) National Science Bowl, p 115: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov site was down, but I found what I was looking for at: http://science.energy.gov/nsb/high-school/high-school-regionals/hs-rules-forms-resources/sample-science-bowl-questions/ NSB focuses on all of the sciences. I think my students would enjoy ‘tying it all together’. Then, students good in Chemistry could work with those who prefer math or physics or biology. I try to emphasize to all of my classes that the sciences and math are all interwoven. Math is the language of science. Physics shows the fundamentals, chemistry is based on physics and builds their scientific base while biology ties it all together and even brings in some of the social sciences.
ReplyDelete2) Physics Bowl, p 124: http://www.aapt.org . Well, I teach physics, so I think they all would want to compete in it! Actually, I think they would like to use some of what we learn in class in a more sports like mode. Also, since they have a US Physics Team, some of my more motivated students would want to compete against peers from all over the US. The scholarships are pretty impressive as well. Also, it has quite a number of colleges sponsoring it, so this would be an asset if they want to go to one of those colleges.
Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition on P121. I found detailed information on the website about the competition, including last year's winners. There was also information about the various types of mechanical puzzles and links to a website with sliding puzzles that you could manipulate. My PGP kiddos last year really enjoyed a unit about mazes, and I think this would make an interesting new unit for them. They also love making things with their hands. I'm not sure if this would be too hard for them.
ReplyDeleteOdyssey of the Mind on P121. The website has lots of information about the competition and lots of resources, like sample problems at the various levels as well as links to online games. I was previously at a school that did this competition – the kids loved it! The focus of the competition is problem solving, and based on my experience with GT kids, they love doing that.
I am curious about the puzzle design. I would like to look into it more. I think it could be very interesting and challenging for GT students. We have Odyssey of the Mind at our school and the students really enjoy it.
DeleteDo you do Odyssey of the Mind during or after school?
DeleteNational Science Olympiad on page 116: Website - www.soinc.org seems like a site and program my students would enjoy. They have many different catagories to evaluate the students science knowledge. The students would enjoy working in teams and hands on science experiments/knowledge of skills.
ReplyDeletePresident's Environmental Youth Awards on page 125: www.epa.gov this site aims to recognize students accross the U.S. to support to the environment. The students would really enjoy planting trees, recycling, videos and newsletters. These projects can be done on campus and can help them focus on the environment. I feel both of these sites my students would really enjoy!
I think those would both be great activities. I had them marked in my book to look further into. Anything Olympic oriented gets kids attention.
DeleteI agree Stacey! This would be a fun project for us to do next year with our new group. With the election coming up, and environmental issues a big issue, I can think of many ways we can incorporate this into our curriculum.
DeleteMath Olympiads for Elementary Schools (p.90)-www.moems.org Anything Olypics oriented allows get students attention and interest. This competition would be a good competition for GT students to compete against each other and other students.You can administer it as a classroom teacher and report the scores to the official website, which nice for the teacher.
ReplyDeletenational Geography Bee (p.105)- www.nationalgeographic.com
I liked this one because it allows the students to learn more about geography and the world. I think GT students would really enjoy it because it is an area of interest that sometimes doesn't get explored due to focus on math and science.
I really thought the Math Olympiads for Elementary Schools (pg. 90) was a really good site, especially for this coming year. It could be directed at two levels of students, elementary/middle. I liked this because your high achievers would have a stronger competition based program. Competition for my GT students would give them an opportunity to compete against other students at their age but on a national level instead of the student sthey have been in school with. I am definitely going to explore this site in September!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the National Science Olympiad (pg. 116)because it gave a lot of information. The Math Olympiad for Elementary Schools (pg. 90) was a better site (easier to navigate), but I enjoyed both because it would be fun to get kids to compete in either of these.
ReplyDelete