FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For two weeks this summer, 80 students and seven teachers have met each morning to explore and expand their minds. For the elementary-age participants, Young Scholars Program is an opportunity to tackle advanced content, exercise their creativity, and stretch their thinking skills.

For their teachers, all experienced educators enrolled in graduate studies in the UA College of Education and Health Professions, the summer program allows them to implement curriculum developed during the spring semester. At the same time, the teachers hone the skills necessary to earn an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education along with their master’s degrees.

"Teachers for the Young Scholars Program spend months in graduate classes learning theory and developing curriculum for gifted and talented students," said Marcia Imbeau, associate professor in special education and director of the program. "They are all good teachers to begin with, and it’s great to see them get to try out something new.

"The pay-off for everyone is seeing the students respond. It’s exciting for the teachers to see the kids’ excitement."

A cooperative effort between the College of Education and Health Professions and the Fayetteville Public Schools, the Young Scholars Program has been enthusiastically received by parents. Participating teachers from the UA graduate program come from school districts throughout Northwest Arkansas. After teaching a lively group of children in the morning, the teachers spend afternoons in the classroom, continuing their graduate studies.

Course offerings in the 2003 Young Scholar’s Program are

"Astronomy: Amazing Astronomical Mania!!!" taught by Shirley Gorman
"Botany: It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it!" taught by LuAnn Little
"Etymology: The wonderful world of words!" taught by Gayle O’Donnell
"Geological Disasters: Is our area at risk for life-threatening seismic activity?" taught by Lisa Woods
"Greek Mythology: Have you ever heard of Zeus, Hercules, Athena, Hades or Aphrodite?" taught by Michelle Wallis
"Mythology: Is myth a myth?" taught by Gwen Olmstead
"Psychology: The brain and beyond" taught by Deanna Auslam
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