Widely known for its excellence in programs aimed at gifted students, the Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut offers a summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors at its Storrs campus. Their program allows students from all ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic groups and opportunities to engage in high levels of creative exploration in a number of interest areas. Interest areas include intensive, hands-on experiences in archaeology, arts (including puppet arts), biology, chemistry, education, engineering, humanities, materials science, mathematics, nursing, nutritional science, pharmacy, physics and psychology, with concentrations within these various areas. Experts from these areas guide students in their learning.
UConn Mentor Connection
University of Connecticut
2131 Hillside Road Unit 3007
Storrs, CT 06269-3007
(860) 486-0283
The Duke University Talent Program (TIP) at Duke University, since its opening in 1980, has become the "largest and most diverse talent search in the country," having served tens of thousands of students. The program offers summer programs where gifted students in grades seven through ten. The three-week, residential sessions are rigorous and challenge participants to think critically about themselves and their environment. Expert instructors, engaging social experiences and an accelerated pace require students to attend a single class for seven hours each weekday and three hours on Saturdays. The program mandates that students take the SAT or ACT exam as part of their entrance requirements.
Duke University Talent Identification Program
1121 West Main St.
Durham, NC 27701-2028
(919) 668-9100
For over 25 years, Northwestern University has held its Center for Talent Development, a summer program "where smart kids come to be engaged, inspired, prepared and challenged through learning." They sponsor a course series for students from PreK through grade 12: Leapfrog (PreK through grade 3), Spark (grade 4+), Apogree (grades 4 through 8), Spectrum (grades 7 and 8), and Equinox (grades 9 through 12). Leaders focus upon the joys of learning, hands-on enrichment, nurturing young minds, forming social relationships, exploring areas about which they are passionate, and challenging them through college-preparatory curricula and accelerated courses.
Summer Program
Center for Talent Development
617 Dartmouth Place
Evanston, IL 60208-4175
(847) 491-3782, extension 2