What's Happening in GT?

Meade County Gifted & Talented 2021-2022 School Year

Neutrally Buoyant at SPMS

During the March GATE meeting at SPMS, students worked collaboratively through the Engineer Design Process to create a 'flinker.' The engineering challenge challenged students to design an 'object' using a variety of materials that neither floated nor sank, but rather flinked in the middle of a container of water for at least ten seconds. Most teams succeeded through a tremendous amount of trial and error; learning that the weight between a washer, penny, and paper clip can make a tremendous difference in the outcome.

District Art Day

Art students in grades 7-12 participated in a variety of art sessions facilitated by district art teachers. Ms. Kendra Wright, FES art teacher, facilitated a session on Pablo Picasso/African Mashup; Mr. David Craycroft, SPMS art teacher, taught students about the concept of Relief Reduction Printmaking; and Angela Whelan, GT assistant, worked with students on replicas of Chihuly's Macchia. It was amazing to watch each student's creativity surface through their work. Meade County has a wealth of talented artists!

Pablo Picasso/African Mashup

Relief Reduction Printmaking

Chihuly's Macchia

February is Gifted Education Month in Kentucky

Gifted Education Month in Kentucky has been formally proclaimed by Governor Beshear. February is the month when we honor gifted students and the educators and parents who care for them. The Proclamation ceremony took place in the Capitol Rotunda on February 3, 2022. In attendance were Governor Beshear, legislative leadership, Gatton and Craft Academy Students, and KAGE Distinguished Students.

Performing Arts Day 2022

On January 24th, GT students in grades 7-12 identified in the areas of the Performing Arts had the opportunity to participate in the district Performing Arts Day at MCHS. Students enhanced their skills in drama, music, and dance. Working with Mr. Crafton, Mrs. Rebilas, and Mrs. Lyons, groups worked to learn songs, scripts, and choreography for the musical "Mulan." After lunch, the whole group gathered to put all the parts together. The final production was quite impressive for a few hours of work!

SPMS & MCHS October GATE Meetings

This month at SPMS, students had the opportunity to choose from three learning stations - Art, Math, or STEM Challenge. The art station consisted of an art activity that allowed students to think about their visible and invisible identities and used these traits to draw a self-portrait. Students who chose the math station were given a higher-level, multi-step geometry problem. And the third station involved a STEM Challenge where students worked together to design a rescue device to "save a friend who had fallen off a cliff." SPMS will meet again on November 17th.

Visible/Invisible Identity

STEM

Geometry

The MCHS GATE Council organized a monthly meeting that allowed students to see the importance of having those around them help them achieve their goals. Additionally, the group will be having a Toy Drive now through December 17th, which will be our next MCHS GATE meeting.

A New Year Begins

While the school year didn't begin exactly as we had hoped, it is GREAT to be back in-person!! The Meade County Gifted & Talented Education (GATE) program has started and looks a little different this year.

For our elementary GT students in grades 4-6, they are coming to the newly designed STEAM Lab located at the College & Career Center on the high school campus twice a month for a full day of critical thinking and problem solving opportunities. To check out what's happening with Elementary GT and to learn more about the STEAM Lab visit the STEAM Lab page.

In addition to their GT services provided by their classroom teachers, this year GT students in grades 7-8 will also be pulled once a month to work on various critical thinking activities. This provides students with a time to meet others in GT and to work with like-minded peers as well as to discuss any upcoming opportunities or important information. This month the students' thinking skills were challenged with a Breakout game. Our next meeting will be October 20th.

While the high school students receive their GT services through their classroom teachers, we do meet once a month during Learning Lab to share important news and build camaraderie amongst the group. Each meeting is planned by our GT Council which includes our leadership students and representatives from the various identification areas. The group is currently working on ideas for a group service project. Our next GATE meeting will be October, 29th.