Describes how the science fiction novel "Jurassic Park" has been used to provide the focus for summate discussions among gifted high school students participating in a state-sponsored, science-intensive summer program. Discusses adaptations of this approach for use in chemistry classes from the high school to intermediate college level. (JRH)

A Discovery Unit was designed to develop problem-finding behavior in 67 gifted children (grades 3-6). Students identified a problem and its solution using topics of their choice. The results of this two-year pilot project support the need to instruct and practice problem-finding skills at the elementary level. (DB)

This article defines academic standards; compares content, performance, and delivery standards; and summarizes standards-setting activities currently underway with examples given from mathematics and science. It considers how and why these efforts are likely to affect all educators, including special educators, and all students with and without…

A model of the sources of differences in the learning potentials of students is presented, including group differences in learning potentials between gifted and nongifted students; interindividual differences between gifted students; intraindividual differences within one gifted student; and independent and interactive contributions of…

This study explored psychosocial diversity of two groups of gifted adolescents: those who feel different from their nongifted peers (n=379), and those who do not (n=94). Comparisons between groups on demographic variables, perceptions of self and other students, and school behavior showed the latter group manifesting greater desire for social…

Testing and observation of 25 highly creative, intellectually gifted students and nearly 100 highly creative, non-intellectually gifted students participating in secondary and undergraduate theater arts programs revealed similarities and differences between the two groups in terms of acting technique, rehearsal technique, relationship to play…

This interview with Jeffrey Borer, who directs cardiovascular research at Cornell Medical College, addresses his research interests, the status of research compared to practice, ways to meet educational needs of students with science talent, the role of contests and mentors, and the importance of exposing children to many types of learning…

A national survey of Latino college sophomores and juniors (n=859) in 224 colleges investigated their perceptions and experiences of the campus environment for talented Hispanic students, peer understanding of Latino culture, discrimination or resistance of Latino presence, and general institutional climate for diversity. (MSE)

Suggests that community colleges have always offered programs designed to encourage the enrollment of high ability students, including formal honors programs, honors courses or societies, tuition incentives, and opportunities for independent study. Cites ERIC documents and journal articles reflecting the current literature on honors programs…

Properly serving the needs of ethnic minority and economically disadvantaged gifted youth requires early identification, enrichment programs, parental involvement, and specialized teacher training. Primary teachers must be able to identify children exhibiting gifted behaviors not showing up in testing. Profiles San Diego and New Jersey programs…

Shared Information Services is a state-operated network of four resource centers for gifted education in Indiana. The network provides support in the areas of program development, teacher education, classroom teaching resources, and program evaluation. A variety of library and technical assistance services is provided to teachers and others by…

Career guidance for high-school youth who are gifted is discussed. Strategies for providing educational opportunities for students who need greater challenge are outlined. These include extracurricular activities, advanced placement courses, advanced research and discussion seminars, foreign language and cultural education, and vocational and…

Questionnaires were completed by 100 parents of kindergarten-age children whom the parents thought to be mathematically precocious. Five factors were found to characterize responses: (1) general intellectual factor; (2) short- and long-term memory; (3) rote memory; (4) spatial reasoning; and (5) specific relational knowledge. Parents were able to…

An interview with the legal activist, Janet Benshoof, focuses on her current activities (litigation and education about reproductive law), the development of her interest in women's rights and the law, her experience as a female law student at Harvard, her early education, her thoughts about special programs and rural education, and implications…

This column offers two articles: one on problems in identifying students who are gifted and learning disabled and recommendations for working with this population; a second article describes a resource program for students in grades six through eight who are gifted and learning disabled, involving collaboration through weekly team meetings. (SW)