Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth

1. Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth WCATY Programs

2. District Co-op Program • Co-ops are interdisciplinary, standards-based coursed designed for students in 5th – 8th grade whose needs are difficult to meet within grade-level classrooms. • Courses combine online assignments and discussion along with face-to-face workshops.

3. District Co-op Program • Allows academically talented students from across district lines to learn together. • Connects students with similar abilities and enthusiasm for the subject.

4. Invention of Freedom for All Anthropology at the Logan Museum Aldo Leopold: A Sand County Almanac The Fellowship of Fantasy The Samurai’s Tale Pride of the Press Power & Control Small Planet Café Shakespeare through the Merchant of Venice Scientific Literacy Past Course Offerings

5. Young Scholar Program • Six-week mentor guided, independent study program for seventh and eighth graders. • Provides grants to students to pursue projects of their own design. • Students work with experts on an in-depth study in area of student interest.

6. Young Scholar Program • Students write grant proposals, if selected, receive $500 awards to develop their projects; portion of awards go to mentors. • Students showcase projects at annual Young Scholar Fair at American Family Insurance Headquarters.

7. Computer Component Integration and Understanding String Theory Adventures in Affordable Architecture Photography and Composition A Tapestry in Not a Tapestry Without Every Thread A Study of Anxiety Disorder Acupuncture in Headache Relief Chorography – Ballet and Modern Examples of Past Projects

8. WCATY Residential ProgramsAccelerated Learning Program • Three-week program at St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis. – 9-11 graders, and mature eighth graders. • Courses are equivalent to yearlong honors course or semester-long college course. Past course examples: AP Psychology, Chemistry, Focus on Fiction, Mathematics Algebra – Calculus, Forensic Science, Writing • Courses have the potential for credit upon successful completion of program. Transcripts recommend appropriate high school credit and placement. • Students live in dorms and enjoy recreational activities .

9. WCATY Residential ProgramsSummer Transitional Enrichment Program • Two-week program for 7-8 graders and mature sixth graders, held at Edgewood College, Madison, Wis. • Class activities are structured to appeal to various learning styles and long class periods give students the opportunity to concentrate on one area of interest.

10. WCATY Residential ProgramsSummer Transitional Enrichment Program • Past course examples: Drama, Intro. To Aviation, Greek and Latin Origins, Proximity Programming, DNA Science, Chemistry and Law. • Instructors use a variety of techniques to assess student growth, but grades are not given and students do not receive school credit for STEP courses. • Residential activities enhance the classroom activities by providing time for students to interact with peers in a relaxed setting with an emphasis on leadership and personal growth.

11. WCATY Residential ProgramsYoung Students Summer Program • One-week residential experience held at Beloit College, Beloit, Wis. • Week 1 – grades 3-4, with residential/ non-residential option. • Week 2 – grades 5-6, residential option only. • Offers introduction to residential programs and accelerated enrichment courses.

12. WCATY Residential ProgramsYoung Students Summer Program • Classes are fast-paced and cover a great amount of material. Past courses: Animal Tales, Math in the World, Everyday Chemistry, Intro. to Computer Science • Designed to help students expand their knowledge in one content area, while concurrently learning how to learn and study in a challenging academic environment. • Students skills are assessed using a variety of techniques; meeting with instructors emphasize matching future learning opportunities to students’ characteristics.

13. WCATY Residential ProgramsCareer & College Planning & Exploration Program • NEW Week-long residential program for 8-11 graders, which will be held at Milwaukee School of Engineering. • Focuses on the unique needs of gifted students as they plan for life after high school. • Students take an in-depth look at their aptitudes, interest and apply that knowledge to career choices, college majors and preparation for entrance into the colleges that match their career goals.

14. Children of Promise • Cooperative program with inner-city schools designed to deepen WCATY’s impact in threatened urban neighborhoods. • WCATY offers a support staff, enrollment in Talent Search and financial aid for students to attend a summer WCATY program.

15. Harlan O. Roberson Poetry Competition • Poetry competition recognizes, honors and supports young, talented Wisconsin writers in grades 9-12. • The more the reader can embrace the emotions, locations or objects being described, the more powerful the poem. • Accomplished and published poets judge the entries. • Made possible though a gift from Linda Roberson, in memory of her father, Harlan O. Roberson.

16. Educator Recognition Program & Excellent Educator Institute • Allows WCATY students to nominate educational professionals who have made a significant difference in their lives for an Excellent Educator Award. • Instructors nominated through the recognition program can apply to Excellent Educator Institute. • The Institute is a four-day workshop enabling teachers and other educational professionals to meet with experts in the area of gifted and talented education and observe ALP classes.

17. WCATY Awards Program • WCATY recognizes this need and, as a result, honors the top 10 percent of Midwest Academic Talent Search test-takers statewide. • Students receive certificates of achievement. • Highest scorers on each test – the ACT, SAT and EXPLORE – also receiving a scholarship to a residential academic summer program.