Academically or Intellectually Gifted: Gates County Schools
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WELCOME!

Please use our website as a resource to keep up with current legislation, our local program and plan, resources,
​and most importantly - what our AIG students are up to! Enjoy!

2021 AIG sneak preview

2/3/2021

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Elementary: The pAssion Project

A long standing tradition in our Gates County AIG Program is coming to our elementary schools this month... the Passion Project!

Students, parents, colleagues, visitors - If you could learn about ANYTHING in the WHOLE WORLD, what would you choose to pursue? What skill would you gain? What goal would you achieve? This is what the Passion Project is all about. Our elementary students will choose an independent study topic to explore for four weeks and present their findings. This is truly one of the most rewarding AIG experiences and our students never fail to impress!

Visit the AIg Google Classroom for info!


CMS: TAKE-HOME STEM KITS

During February and March, our CMS AIG students are getting special shipments - weekly take-home STEM challenges! Each weekly kit includes instructions and materials to explore STEM in a new and fresh way.  We may or may not be making salt crystals, catapults, pasta towers - who knows? The only way to find out for sure is to visit your AIG Google Classroom and sign up using the form provided!

Our students will complete these tasks independently but will also receive enough materials to complete the activity AGAIN during our weekly Zoom. With parental permission, our kids are encouraged to record each challenge on social media using the unique hashtags found in their kits. We also have our own Instagram account - follow us at @gates_aig (again, with parental permission)!
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This is going to be FUN!
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Hey elementary kids - you'll be doing this after spring break!


GCHS: AIG Book Club

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Last but not least, our high school AIG students will have the chance to participate in an AIG Book Club! Our book clubs have been a hit at CMS and the elementary schools this year so why not spread the love?

If there is enough interest, our high school students will be reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. They will read an assigned portion each week and Zoom with the club to chat about it once a week. It's an AMAZING book!

Students - if you would like to participate in the six-week GCHS Book Club, scurry on over to the AIG Google Classroom and fill out the form ASAP!
Click me to learn more about the book!

CMS KIDS: Are you ready for another book club? (Hint Hint!)

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Passion Project Spotlight: Avery H., Katelyn J., and the pura vida to relay for life

12/16/2020

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What we have here folks are two girl who LOVE to make an impact! Avery and Katelyn, both students at CMS, decided to design and sell Pura Vida bracelets for profit. They, in turn, will donate all of their proceeds to Relay for Life. These girls designed their bracelets, set a price so that there would be a profit, created a Google Order Form, publicized through word of mouth and social media, and MORE! Not only did they meet their goal of selling 50 bracelets (they sold 57), they took a chance and plan to sell an additional 43 - totaling 100 bracelets! Check out all of their great info below!

The bracelet

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57 sold so far!

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TED Talk

CONGRATULATIONS AVERY AND KATELYN! You used this project as an opportunity to make an impact - that makes you both superstars! Be sure to leave these girls some love in the comments!
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Passion Project Spotlight: Benjamin R. and the porch side podcast

12/16/2020

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Welcome back to our Passion Project Spotlights! We are starting with Benjamin, who created the "Porch Side Podcast." Benjamin's initial goal was to host a live talk show, hoping to reach over 20 viewers in a live session. As many of our Passion Projects go (and what is so beautiful about this journey), Benjamin had to evolve his goal as he worked. The end result was two very entertaining and enlightening video podcasts with CMS employees!

Benjamin definitely has a talent for speaking of the cuff and has that special "thing" that makes him a great podcast host. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. Never quit, Bemjamin! Check him out!

*A special THANK YOU to Mrs. Manglona and Mrs. Harders for taking the time to interview!

TED TALK

Motivation - Podcast with Mrs. Manglona (part 1)

MOTIVATION - PODCAST WITH MRS. MANGLONA (PART 2)

"Space" [and more] - PODCAST WITH MRS. Harders (Part 1)

"SPACE" [AND MORE] - PODCAST WITH MRS. HARDERS (PART 2)

 CONGRATULATIONS BENJAMIN! You have certainly found a talent (and hopefully a market) for a kid-based podcast! Be sure to leave Benjamin some love in the comments!
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Passion Project Spotlight: Colton K. and the soccer skills

12/15/2020

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Next up in our Passion Project Spotlights, we have Colton, a sixth grade and aspiring soccer player. Colton hasn't been content with his soccer skills in the past so guess what he did - used the Passion Project as an opportunity to improve!

Intially, here were Colton's goals:
Goal 1: Chipping the ball
Goal 2: Curving the ball
Goal 3: Blocking the ball
Goal 4: Kicking the ball really far

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After an unexpected injury, he had to switch his plan up some. He decided if he couldn't get out there and physically play, he would start researching. His check-ins (meant to be very simple) started to look like this:
1. Where was your learning at the start of this week before you did anything?
I didn't know very many good strategies for soccer.
2. Where is your learning at now?
I know if I'm playing soccer I can see how the other team will play and tell my team what to do.
3. What activities did you do to move towards your goal?
Reading about soccer strategies.
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​Listen to the audio version of his TED Talk (linked in the button below) to hear how he modified his project and still learned a lot about soccer!
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Click here for the audio version of colton's ted talk!
CONGRATULATIONS COLTON! When your project didn't work out as planned, you persevered and still came out on top! Be sure to leave Colton some love in the comments!
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Passion Project Spotlight: Caleb D. and the Beef Wellington recipe

12/15/2020

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Our next Passion Project Spotlights features Caleb D., an eighth grader who wanted to cook an amazing meal for his family. Inspired by Gordon Ramsay, Caleb decided to tackle Beef Wellington, a delicious, multi-step recipe.

This project was so much more than just a one-time cooking event! Over the course of the six weeks, Caleb researched to find the exact recipe he wanted to use, priced his ingredients at various stores for the best deal, and watched videos of techniques he would need. After he prepared the meal, his family critiqued his cooking. 

Be sure to check Caleb's photos below. To get the FULL EXPERIENCE, listen to his TED Talk presentation  to hear him explain the steps photo-by-photo! 

Watching a "how-to" video

Step-by-step photos

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​TED TALK PRESENTATION

CONGRATULATIONS CALEB! You did an awesome job of documenting your cooking adventure!
​Be sure to leave Caleb some love in the comments!
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Passion Project Spotlight: Courtney U. and the food blog

12/14/2020

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Welcome to the first installment of our 2020 Passion Projects! Our CMS AIG students have been working on self-selected independent studies for the past six weeks - you are in for a treat!

We are kicking off our spotlights with Courtney, 7th grader and lover of all things food. Last year, Courtney created a cookbook for her Passion Project (then called the "20% Project). This year she raised the bar by creating her own blog to share her cooking adventures!

Over the course of the project, Courtney cooked and blogged about roasted broccoli, chicken and waffles, spaghetti, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade apple pie.  She learned her way around the kitchen, how to safely use appliances, and how to create and maintain her own blog!

Be sure to explore her blog, slideshow, and TED Talk using the buttons and links below!
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Click Here to visit courtney's blog, kiwikitchenreviews!
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slideshow

ted talk

CONGRATULATIONS COURTNEY! Your food looks delicious, your blog is well-documented, and your TED Talk and slide show were fantastic! Be sure to leave Courtney some love in the comments!
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PASSION Project spotlights 2020!

12/14/2020

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THE BACKGROUND INFO - DID YOU KNOW...

In the 1950s, the 3M Company started a "15% Project," which allowed employees to peruse an idea that interested them and would benefit the company. Out of this 15% time came Post-it Notes, masking tape, and more. Building on 3M’s idea, Google began a "20% Project" initiative which gave their employees one work day a week to spend on a pet project that they would not normally work on the other four days. Because of this program, almost 50% of Google’s products come out of the 20% time, including Gmail, AdSense, and Google News.

WHAT ARE OUR KIDS PASSIONATE ABOUT?

​Why not let our students in on this opportunity? This idea of pursuing a Passion Project is spilling over classrooms everywhere. Teachers are allowing students to do something that really interests them that they wouldn’t normally be able to do at school.

Our CMS AIG students have been exploring their passions through an independent study of their choice. With an end goal in mind, they have practiced skills such as time-management, integration of technology, creativity, and public speaking. They have been self-motivating, Zooming, and checking in every week using Google Classroom.

​THE Timeline: A BRIEF RUNDOWN

Week 1: Introduction and Topic Selection
Weeks 2-4: Steady work and Check-In #1, 2, and 3
Week 5: Draft Talk development, Check-In #4
Week 6: Final Check-In and TED Talk Presentations 
(We made it, guys!) 

​​THE Ted talks

The students you will soon see spotlighted researched, plan, and put in time and effort over the past six weeks to complete a Passion Project of their own. Now only are we still navigating uncharted waters during a time full of new things, THESE PROJECTS WERE NOT GRADED. The reward from the hard work was the fruit of a new skill, new knowledge, or self-exploration. I am so proud of these students. Be sure to check-in for new spotlights and follow their journeys!
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AIG Book CLubs + PBL: World Greatest Toy!

12/10/2020

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Elementary Book CLubs Come to a Close

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Our elementary AIG students just wrapped up Book Clubs for "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" and  "Mr. Lemoncello's Library." Our student volunteers read an assigned portion of the book each week and showed up to their Meet to discuss the reading and participate in related activities.

Enjoy the following links to some of the videos, challenges, and information that our students took in while reading - and if you know a Book Club member, be sure to ask them about their experience! Great job, kiddos!
"I'm not the type of person to read for fun, but I would read more of his books!" -Makaylin H. (Lemoncello Book Club)

Cactus Links

  • "Incredible Seven-Year-Old Uses Her Feet as Hands"
  • Kid Interview: "How Do You Live With Tourette's?"
  • Interview with Author Dusti Bowling
  • Interactive Choice Board

Lemoncello Links

  • Book Trailer
  • Interview with Author Chris Grabenstein
  • ​Thanksgiving Rebus Puzzles
  • Game: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
  • Mr. Lemoncello's Book Scavenger Hunt

World's Greatest Toy

In our latest installment of problem based learning, the elementary AIG students were asked to PICTURE THIS: You are a toy designer hoping to launch the next great toy that will be popular for years to come. You and your design team must come up with an overall description of the "perfect toy," including its features and details. How do you come up with the “perfect toy” and why will today's children be drawn to it?

They were given a few resources to check out before starting: A list of “Hot Toys of the Past,” “The History of Toys" infographic, and an article titled "The Future of Toys.” As always, they were provided with an optional thought-gathering sheet.

Our kids were asked to present their new toy to representatives of a toy company (their fellow students) and explain why it will be successful with today’s children.
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If I wanted to invent anything I would invent a flying four wheeler. So you could just fly pass people in a race or you can fly over people in traffic. My invention might be from the future, not the past. People will like my invention because people love to drive four wheelers and they will like to fly, so they don’t have to go back when someone crashes in the road. It is safe because it has a seat belt. The sketch will be that there is a button, if you press it you go on fly mode and how the button works is that it feeds off a special engine. Also the name is flying wheel.     - Brayden D.
Here are a few more of our awesome toy ideas!

BONUS Material: Classic Toy Hall of Fame!

In the spirit of creating the perfect toy, our AIG students evaluated some of the "classics." Here are some of the topics that came up in our round table (round computer Meet? :P)
  • Have you played with this toy?
  • Does it deserve a spot in the Classic Toy Hall of Fame? Why or why not?
  • Is there another toy that you would recommend for the Classic Toy Hall of Fame? Why?
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ELEMENTARY PBL - The Next Great Stunt, a Mission to Mars, + a Thanksgiving mascot!

12/4/2020

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Our elementary students have been knee-deep in PBL (Problem Based Learning) the past few weeks. They have pitched ideas for a fresh new "app," created time capsules, designed a comic book characters, and now they are publicizing the "next great stunt" and recruiting a team for a mission to Mars. Would you attend either of these events? While they're at it - they've also created a new Thanksgiving mascot!

The next great stunt

Our kids were given the following scenario: You are a stunt-person preparing for the next great daredevil trick. What should this trick be and what needs to be considered as you prepare for it?  Design an advertisement promoting the "Next Big Stunt"!

Like always, the students were given three or four pieces of information to review (infographics, articles, videos) and they got to work!

It was recommended that their advertisements convincing, informative, and reassuring (that everything will be under control and safe!). Other considerations included safety factors, location, time, equipment, etc. and the cause behind it (charity, raise awareness, set a world record, just be truly outrageous). Check out some of our student products!
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"In the future Grand Canyon there was a deep, deep river. This guy was on a tightrope crossing the Grand Canyon over the river. His nickname was Tight Champ. Tight Champ was the first man to cross the Grand Canyon on a tight rope."

mission to mars

Next, our elementary kids were asked to picture this: NASA hopes to launch manned-missions to Mars in the next few decades and YOU are on the Recruitment Team! Your goal is to recruit volunteers to go on a Mission to Mars. Here's the catch: the trip is very risky, the living conditions will be difficult (compared to Earth), and there is NO return trip. Do you think you would be successful? ​
The resources this week were really interesting. They were given the article “Why I Volunteered to Die on Mars,” a "Mars Fast Facts" infographic, and sample Mars Recruitment Posters. They were then tasked to create a recruitment brochure or poster to encourage volunteers go on NASA's Mission to Mars.

A question - Would you volunteer to live on Mars (with no chance of returning to Earth)? What would be the main reason for your decision? I asked our students the same thing. Check out the photo to the right for some of their responses (insert laughing emoji).
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Create a new Thanksgiving mascot!

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Right before Thanksgiving, our elementary students were asked to give some thought about holiday "mascots." Think about it... many holidays have a special character who represents the day (Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, etc.). Thanksgiving is an important holiday, but doesn’t have a standout character with a backstory.

Our kiddos were given a few resources to build background knowledge and were then challenged to design a new character who represents Thanksgiving Day and create an advertisement included their name, any holiday specific colors/clothing, a backstory, and an image. Enjoy their creativity!
Click here to read a Thanksgiving comic by Jeremiyah F!
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"Developing Your Very Own Algorithm for Success"

11/17/2020

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Hello!

There will be a Zoom Meet and Greet/STEM presentation this afternoon with Dr. S. Day, the first woman to earn her PhD in Computer Science from NCA&T. Please take a moment to check out the flyer and letter below. This is a fantastic independent STEM learning opportunity for our middle and high school students to consider - reach out to anyone you know who may be interested!

The event will take place from 3:00-4:00 pm today, November 17, 2020.  The Zoom information is as follows:

Topic: Developing Your Very Own Algorithm for Success
Time: Nov 17, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: https://ncculaw.zoom.us/j/92214774570
Meeting ID: 922 1477 4570

If you attend, please let me know! I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
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