Unbelievable Opportunities: Looking Back on 2009 Duke TIP Field Studies and Institutes
Contact: Campbell Vogel
Duke University Talent Identification Program
(919) 668-9127
cvogel@tip.duke.edu
October 27, 2009
DURHAM, N.C–After over 20 years, Duke TIP’s Field Studies and Institutes continue to successfully meet the needs of America’s gifted high school students.
One of the important differences between Duke TIP Field Studies and Institutes and other U.S.-based academic programs or International Study Abroad opportunities is the high level of academic rigor infused in each of our programs, as each Duke TIP Field Study or Institute is presented as college-level material with an interactive hands-on approach. Every year we take the time to solicit feedback from our students, enabling us to best understand their needs, and helping us develop the most enriching and exciting programs for the coming years.
Check out some of what Field Studies and Institutes did last summer:
Academic Strands
In 2009 Duke TIP Field Studies and Institutes focused on the academic strands of The Law, Leadership, The Sciences and The Arts.
In 2010, a new “Green” Strand brings the important issue of Environmental consciousness to the forefront. Within this Green Strand, a “Leadership in Belize” course will focus on environmentally sound ecotourism solutions and alternatives to utilizing oil for energy. Students will learn how to “build green” by studying natural design options in our Institute of Green Architecture. In addition, the impact of industry on manatee mortality is the green focus in our “Songs from the Sea: Sensory Biology and Neuroscience of Marine Organisms” program in Florida this year.
Blended Programs
Last summer, our “Leadership in Belize” course offered Duke TIP students the opportunity to live and study with gifted Belizean students. This unique International Field Study provided students with a more in-depth understanding of the host-country through cultural blending and nation-building. Within the context of increasing globalization, students studied leadership styles, models and skill building, and gained an understanding of their own personality and strengths as business leaders in today's increasingly global world. Look for more blended programs in 2010!
Hybrid Programs
In 2009, two new International Field Studies incorporated one week in the U.S. and nine days traveling to an international location.
In the Archaeology and Anthropology program, students first excavated the Fort San Juan remains at the Berry site in North Carolina, and then extended their study by traveling to Lima and Cusco, Peru where they were able to fully explore such important archaeological sites as Macchu Picchu.
The other hybrid program, War, Children, and International Justice, focused on International Law and Children at War for the first week at Duke University prior to students departing for The Hague to witness important War Crimes Tribunals such as those of the former Yugoslavia. Students also had the opportunity to visit many significant locations in “The International City of Peace.”
Stay tuned for dates of 2010 hybrid programs, both hosted again in Peru and The Hague!
The College Experience: Duke University Institutes
When students attend an Institute on Duke University’s campus, they experience college life first-hand. In addition to studying college-level material students attend workshops focused on the college admissions process, tour Duke University’s majestic campus, live in residence halls on West Campus and gain access to Duke’s extensive libraries. With the prospect of college just around the corner, the opportunity to experience college life prior to attending can be an invaluable experience and assist students in being as successful as possible.
Duke University Institutes will be open next summer to students who have finished grades 9–12 by summer 2010.
Our Field Studies and Institutes continue to showcase Duke TIP as a leader in educational opportunities for gifted high school students. E-mail hs@tip.duke.edu with questions.