New Enrichment Programs Coming to Local Gifted Youth through Duke TIP, Wichita Collegiate Partnership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26, 2007
CONTACT: Lisa Langberg
(919) 668-9100
LLangberg@tip.duke.edu
January 26, 2007, Durham, NC and Wichita, KS -- The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is pleased to announce two new academic enrichment programs for gifted/talented youth in south central Kansas. The programs, offered in conjunction with Wichita Collegiate School, are modeled after popular Duke TIP programs held in other parts of the organization’s 16-state region.
Beginning in the fall of 2007, a series of Saturday enrichment courses for academically talented 5th and 6th graders will be offered locally. The Academic Adventures program offers challenging, hands-on learning experiences that foster creative and critical thinking skills. Plans are to hold four Academic Adventures programs each school year, with two in the fall and two in the spring.
Beginning in the summer of 2007, Duke TIP will also conduct a two-week day program for rising 5th and 6th graders. In this program, to be held June 18-29, students will choose one class from a list of ten exciting courses. Wichita Collegiate School will host the summer program in its new Beren Middle School building.
“We are honored to be chosen by such a prestigious academic institution as Duke to further the offerings for gifted students in this part of Kansas,” said Bunny Hill, Head of Middle School at Wichita Collegiate. “Collegiate has a history of providing academic challenge for students. This partnership with the Duke TIP Program allows us to join our resources with the extensive gifted community to nurture and stimulate the insatiable curiosity of young minds. In the future, the special talents and gifts of these students will enrich our community, state, country…indeed, the world. It is our decided duty as educators to help these students fully realize the potential of their gifts. Programs like Duke TIP in conjunction with other educational endeavors honor that responsibility.”
This new summer program will include outstanding professional teachers as instructors, parent sessions and financial aid for participants demonstrating need. Students will enjoy a full-camp experience including academic challenge, free-time activities and competitions, daily snacks and lunch, cultural events, a family picnic, and a recognition ceremony.
“Duke TIP is excited about extending our educational offerings to south central Kansas,” says Hollace Selph, Director of Educational Programs at Duke TIP. “We look forward to working with Wichita Collegiate School and other local education professionals to help serve the needs of this area’s gifted community.”
To participate in either program, students must be enrolled in Duke TIP’s 4th/5th Grade Talent Search. The Talent Search provides recognition, informational resources and advanced educational opportunities for academically talented youth and their families. Students in the 4th or 5th grade who score at or above the 90th percentile on an acceptable subtest of a recent standardized achievement test are qualified to enroll in the Talent Search. A full list of qualification criteria can be found on the Duke TIP website. The deadline for enrollment is March 1 for mail-in applications or March 17 for online applications.
For information about the 4th/5th Grade Talent Search, please contact Barbara McHugh at 919-668-9135 or visit www.tip.duke.edu; for information about Academic Adventures and Duke TIP summer programs contact Bunny Hill at Wichita Collegiate School, 316-771-2214.
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a non-profit educational organization that is recognized as a leader in identifying and serving the educational needs of academically gifted youth. Through identification, recognition, challenging educational programs, information, advocacy and research, Duke TIP provides resources to gifted students, their parents, educators, and schools for the development of the students’ optimal educational potential. Since 1980, over 1.8 million students have benefited from one or more of Duke TIP’s programs and services. For more, visit www.tip.duke.edu.
Wichita Collegiate School is a private, college preparatory school for students age 2 through Grade 12. For more information, visit www.wcsks.com.
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