The Benefits of Summer Learning for Gifted Students at SIG webinar was recorded live on February 9th, 2010 by the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG). These slide focus on the benefits of summer gifted education and the advantages that the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) has to offer gifted students in grades K through 11. Topics covered include: Summer Programs, SIG Academics, Student Life and Recreational Activities.

1. The Summer Institute for the Gifted
Presents:
Benefits of Summer Learning for
Gifted Students at SIG
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

2. About this Webinar
This webinar was recorded live on February 9th, 2010 by the
Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG).
The slides shown in this webinar are available for download on SlideShare.
Visit http://www.slideshare.net/giftededucation/

3. Webinar Topics
• Benefits of a Summer Program
• SIG Overview
– Academics
– Student Life
– Student Activities
• Q&A
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

4. Your Panelists
Barbara Swicord, Ed.D.
President and CEO, SIG
Executive Director,
National Society for the Gifted and Talented (NSGT)
Tatiana Behrmann
Program Supervisor, Student Activities
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

5. Benefits of Summer Learning
• Why Do Students Select a Summer Academic Program?
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

6. Why did you choose to attend the SIG program?
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

7. Preparing for College Entrance
• 35% of respondents believe that their participation in SIG did
help them get into college/university.
• “Application to college was easy- He visited so many
campuses and knew what would be a good fit for him. He
understood more than many of his friends the dynamics
involved in choosing a school. MIT in the end was his choice
and he was right- he loves everything about the school.”
– Rosellen (parent of John), George School 1999; Bryn
Mawr College 2001 and Amherst College 2002
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

8. College Prep
• 75% believed that their SIG program helped prepare
them for their college experience
– Living in close quarters with dorm mates
– Being away from home and independent
– Managing time for social and academic endeavors
– Walking to classes
– Making friends
– Lessening the shock/fear of being a freshman
– Relying on own judgment by being responsible for
successes and failures
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

9. Impact on Professions
93 responses mentioned
• Business (such as computer engineers,
fundraisers, environment consultants,
marketing and sales managers and human
resource professionals)
• Finance
• Medicine
• Teaching
• Entertainment (such as writers, broadcasters,
musicians, television producers, illustrators)
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

10. Personal Influences, both ways
• My first experience with veterinary medicine was a class
called "frontiers of vet med" at Drew University the
summer I was 12, and now I'm in vet school at Cornell.”
- Erica, Drew University 1999 and 2000
• “I took several courses at SIG which influenced which
career I would not want. This was excellent as I did not
have to waste time stumbling around in freshman year
searching for a profession.”
– Raymond, Bryn Mawr College 2004
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

11. Social Impact
81% maintained contact with people from SIG
63% maintain contact with people from SIG today
• Social networking sites help to stay connected
• Long lasting and deep friendships were made
• Connections were made with people from all over world
• Commonalities exist with other alumni that participants
don’t have with any other friends
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

12. Social Impact
December 28, 2009, 7 PM
A group of 9 SIG alumni met in Manhattan for a reunion. We
had dinner, shared stories and laughed at old pictures. Some
of us hadn’t seen each other for nearly 10 years. In truth, I
expected some initial awkwardness. However, the bond that
was created from summers’ past remained intact. All of us
picked up as if we got out of camp yesterday. It truly boggled
my mind to think that the quirky kids I met all of those years
ago would still be my friends today. They are the people I hold
the closest and treasure the most.
– Deborah Heagan, SIG Student 1996-2001
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

13. Student comment
• I made the best friends I have ever had at
SIG, and I am still in contact with them. I think
I was able to do this because, in most
situations, I don't make super-close friends
because I'm a little bit different, but at SIG,
being different is normal!
– Anya, Bryn Mawr College, 2005; Princeton
University 2006; Bryn Mawr College 2007
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

14. Long term benefits
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

15. Life Benefits: Themes
• Self-sufficiency/independence
• Friendship
• A gained confidence to be themselves by being
amongst peers/sense of community
• Preparation for college/take away nervousness
• Social development/learning how to make friends
• Exposure to out-of-ordinary classes
• International friendship/exposure
• Self-discovery
• Learning for the sake of learning
• Fun
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

16. Summer Institute for the Gifted
Program Overview
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

17. SIG Overview
• 9 residential sites, 10 sessions, at highly
regarded colleges throughout the country
• Up to 80 courses offered at each site
• A holistic approach to gifted education
committed to the academic, social, and
emotional characteristics of gifted children.
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

18. SIG Mission Statement
• To provide the highest
quality educational and
social opportunities for
academically gifted and
talented pre-college
students through
programs appropriate to
their needs, abilities and
interests.
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

19. Basic Information
• Residential: Grades 4-11 (7-11)
• Day: K-8
• Eligibility: 95%ile, G/T Program, other
• Fees-
– Residential: $4,225-$4,995
– Day: $1,995
• Teachers hired local to campus
• Student : Teacher ratio is 9 : 1, avg. class size 10
• All three weeks in length
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

20. SIG History
• SIG began in 1984 with a single residential session in NJ.
• 2010 is our 26th Year!
• The program of the National Society for the Gifted and
Talented (www.nsgt.org) as of September 2009.
• In addition to the Residential Program, SIG added Saturday
and Day Programs in 2003.
• Over the past 25 summers SIG has expanded to 22 sessions
in 13 states.
• This year, we expect to enrich close to 2000 academically
gifted students in grades K through 11.
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

21. Residential Sites
• Amherst College
• Bryn Mawr College
• Dartmouth College (New!)
• Emory University
• Princeton University
• Vassar College
• UC Berkeley (2)
• UCLA
• UT Austin
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

22. Day Sites
• Boston University Academy (MA)
• Bryn Mawr (PA)
• Fairfield University (CT)
• Manhattanville College (NY)
• Moorestown Friends School (NJ)
• The Nueva School (CA) (New!)
• Out-of-Door Academy (FL)
• The Overlake School (WA) (New!)
• Sandy Spring Friends School (MD) (New!)
• Stuart Country Day School (NJ)
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

23. Weekday Structure
• Residential: 4-5 courses during 5 period day,
recreation period and study time after dinner;
weekend – trips, movies, dances, parent day,
talent shows, etc…
• Day: 3 courses during day, recreation period
and option of extended care in morning and/
or evening
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

24. The Academic Program
• Math and Science
• Humanities
• Multi-Disciplinary
• Creative and Performing
Arts
• Fitness and Recreation
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

25. Course Examples
• Different and the Same: Unique Cultures, Shared
World
• Building Blocks of Engineering: The Way Things Work
• Cunning Camouflage
• Analyzing Aviation: Airfoils to Zeppelins
• SIG Apprentice
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

26. Typical Academic Schedule
(Residential and Commuter)
• 7:30 a.m. Good Morning!
• 8:00-8:35 a.m. Buffet-Style Breakfast
• 8:45-10:00 a.m. 1st Period
• 10:15-11:30 a.m. 2nd Period
• 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m. 3rd Period
• 1:00 - 1:45 p.m. Buffet-Style Lunch
• 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. 4th Period
• 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. 5th Period
• 8:15 - 9:15 p.m. Study Tutorials
* Commuters arrive / depart – 8:30 a.m. / 5:45 p.m.
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

27. PM Schedule
• 4:45 - 5:45 p.m. Recreational Period
• 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. Dorms
• 6:15 - 7:00 p.m. Dinner
• 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Evening Activities
• 8:15 - 9:15 p.m. Tutorials
• 9:15 - 10:00 p.m. Snack & Lights Out Jrs.
• 9:15 - 11:00 p.m. Snack & Lights Out Srs.
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

28. Typical Academic Schedule
(Day)
• 7:45 - 8:30 a.m. Extended-Day Drop Off Time
• 8:30 - 8:45 a.m. Normal Drop Off Time
• 8:45 -10:15 a.m. 1st Period
• 10:15 - 10:30 a.m. Snack/Break
• 10:30 -12:00 p.m. 2nd Period
• 12:00 -1:00 p.m. Lunch
• 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. 3rd Period
• 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Recreation Period
• 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Extended-Day Pick Up Time
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

29. Residential / Commuter
Organization
• Director
• Academic Dean
• Residential Dean
• Student Activities Dean
• Administrative Assistant
• Nurse (RN) 24/7
• Housemasters
• Resident Assistants
• Counselors
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

30. Day Organization
• Director / Academic Dean
• Instructors
• Program Assistants (TAs)
• Administrative Assistant
• Nurse (RN)
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

31. Student Activities
• Recreation Period
– Mini-Olympics
– Academic Challenges
– Team Sports
– Arts Crafts
• Organized In-House Events
• Evening Programs
• Saturday Get Away Days
• Sunday Activity Day
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

32. Residential Program-Evening
Programs
• Professional Performer
• Brain Bowl / Mini Olympics
• Recreational Activities
• Theater Presentation
• Dances
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

33. • Saturdays include:
- Get-Away Days Residential Programs -
Science Center Weekends
Six Flags
Studio Tours
Water Park
Museums • Sundays include:
Historical Sites -Activity Day
City Tours
-Talent Show
Baseball Games
-Parent Visitation Day
- Movie Night
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

34. Further Contact
• For further information please contact:
• Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)
• River Plaza
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, CT 06902-3788
• Toll-Free Phone: (866) 303-4744
• Email: info@giftedstudy.org
• A copy of this webinar will also be available on
our website.
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

35. Join the SIG Fan Page…
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

36. Questions?
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

37. Student Quote
SIG really pushed me to keep myself motivated. Throughout
all of middle school, and now into high school I am
constantly challenging myself to do better. Without the SIG
experience at a young age, I do not believe that I would
have had the motivation to work at applying for a difficult
semester school for ambitious teens. SIG not only benefited
me when I was participating in the program, but has
continued to help me throughout my academic career.
– Ashley, Denison University 2002
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

38. Bryn Mawr SIG Student Quote
“Here, unconventional and
intelligent are the norms. We can
be our own person without fear of
being judged harshly. SIG offers
us a haven in which we are
supported whole-heartedly.”
– Sarah Anne Stern (Maryland)
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

39. Student Quote
SIG was a truly transformative experience for me. It was the
first place I ever fit in, and giving one of the speeches at
graduation in 2002 is still, perhaps, the best moment of my
entire life. We've all grown up, and many of us have moved
away, but at least we can all get together every now and
then to share our memories.
- Michael Canter
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

40. WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

41. Student Quote
• For me, it was the social growth that allowed me
to mature and, I feel, played a role in future
successes. Participating in the SIG program gave me a
feeling of social belonging that I had never felt before; in
turn giving me the confidence to engage in social,
academic, and artistic pursuits that I would not have had
the courage to attempt prior to this experience. While we
all went to different colleges, chose different career
paths, and now live all over the country, I feel that my
friends from SIG are the ones who always stand by me
even though we are hundreds of miles apart. I can
only hope that the current campers will benefit from the
experience as much as I did.
- Melissa Gogo
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

42. Student Quote
First, I must tell you that I treasured every moment at SIG. I
never really fit in at school. I was either too smart, too
quirky, or the dreaded combination of both social
misfortunes to ever really find a core group of friends. SIG
was different. The campers were more open-minded and
accepting. Their knowledge of obscure artistic endeavors,
Cirque du Soleil before it was mainstreamed is my favorite
example, and fierce love of anything quirky resulted in the
close bonds formed between the campers. We understood
each other. SIG quickly became a haven.
- Deborah Heagen
WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG

43. WWW.GIFTEDSTUDY.ORG