Competitions

Supporting the developmental needs of the talented and gifted students of New Glarus

New Glarus TAG Advocates

Competitions

A student can test his/her abilities by entering contests and competitions in his areas of strength and interest. Teachers often have information on contests that are local, state-wide, or national in scope. Contests and competitions for groups or for individuals are also listed in youth and specialty magazines. This type of activity forces a student to polish his skills and gain awareness of all the components necessary to compete, e.g., neatness, completeness, creativity, and method of presentation. Some to consider are:

Academic Decathlon (available through NGSD) - High school juniors and seniors compete in teams composed of A- B. and C level students. Different themes are introduced each year covering ten content areas. (PO Box 5169. Cerritos CA 90703-5169; phone 310/809-4995. fax 310/809-4111.) http://www.usad.org/

American Express Geography Competition - Critical thinking, geography, and writing skills are used by students, grades 6-12, to solve an authentic task. The results are submitted for competition for award moneys totaling $100,000. (PO Box 672227, Marietta GA 30067-9077: phone 800/395-GLOBE, ask for Atlas Map.)

The Citizen Bee - American political and cultural history, government, geography, economics, and current events are part of this competition for high school students. (Bert Cieslak, Director. Educational Outreach, Close Up Foundation. 44 Canal Center Plaza, Alexandria VA 22314: phone 703/706-3300.)

Future Problem Solving (available through NGSD) -- This year-long program is a competition for students in grades 4-12. Students working in teams submit written solutions to complex scientific and social problems of the future. Judging occurs at the state, national, and international levels. The methods of problem solving can be taught to entire classrooms. (318 W. Ann St., Ann Arbor MI 48104- phone 313/998-7377.) http://www.fpsp.org/index.htm

JETS, Inc. (Junior Engineering Technical Society) -- Precollege engineering career guidance, competitions, and the JETS Report newsletter are all sponsored by this organization. (1420 King Street, Suite 405, Alexandria VA 22314-2794; phone 703/548-5387, fax 703/548-0769 or 703/8364875.) http://www.jets.org/

Mock Trial Tournament (available through NGSD) -- Teams of students in grades 9-12 can test their critical thinking and public speaking skills in the atmosphere of a real-life trial situation. (Contact your State Bar of Lawyers or one of the following: Dee Runaas, State Bar of Wisconsin, 402 W. Wilson Street, Madison WI 53703; phone 800/728-7788 or 608/257-3838 - or Philip Newton, State Bar of Georgia, 50 Hurt Plaza #800, Atlanta GA 30303; phone 800/334-6865.) http://www.legalexplorer.com/education/education-mock.asp

National Olympiads include the Continental Mathematics League http://continentalmathleague.hostrack.com/ , Current Events League (National Social Studies Olympiad), National Geography Olympiad, National Language Arts Olympiad, National Science Olympiad http://www.soinc.org/ , and the National Social Studies Olympiad - Teams at all grade levels compete at their home school site in the desired curriculum area. Problem solving and analytical reasoning are integral to each discipline. (PO Box 5477, Hauppauge NY 11788-012: phone 516/265-4792.)

National Written & Illustrated by... Awards Contest for Students -- This is an opportunity for a student, age 6-19, to compete to have a book published that she has both written and illustrated. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for instructions and an application form. (Landmark Editions, Inc., PO Box 4469, 1402 Kansas Ave., Kansas City MO 64127; phone 816/241-4919.)

Westinghouse Science Talent Search -- This scholarship competition is for students in their last year of high school. A written report on a student's independent research project is the basis for national reception, which includes a large monetary award. Many students have worked on projects for one or more years. (1719 N Street, NW, Washington DC 20036; phone 202/785-2255.)

Young Astronaut Council -- Essay, art, math, and science competitions, both locally and nationally, can be entered by local chapters. Available for preschool through junior high school students. it is designed to promote the study of science. mathematics, and related subjects. (1308 19th St., NW, Washington DC 20036; phone 202/682-1984.) http://www.yac.org/yac/

Inventors -- How would you like to develop some of your keenest ideas into neat products that pay Big Bucks ?? If this sounds interesting and you would like to learn more about some of the best inventors check out www.invent.org.

Destination Imagination – http://www.destinationimagination.org/

Odyssey of the Mind – http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/

Geography Bee (available through NGSD) - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/society/ngo/geobee/ Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.

Spelling Bee (available through NGSD) - http://www.spellingbee.com/

Mega Math - http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/welcome.html The MegaMath project is intended to bring unusual and important mathematical ideas to elementary school classrooms so that young people and their teachers can think about them together.

Great Books (available through NGSD) - http://www.greatbooks.org/about/