Designing a proficient academic science education for the gifted youth

Abstract

The Future Scientists' and Inventors' Program at Tel Aviv University was initiated by the Israeli president, Mr. Shimon Peres, in response to the decline in the number of students applying to scientific and technological studies. The program is tailored for the proficient nourishment of gifted teenagers. Our vision is to create a scientific community whose members are committed, skillful and happy to collaborate and share. Our courses go beyond mere enrichment for leisure or acquisition of academic merits. We offer a worthwhile purpose for the so-far unchallenged youth. The program demands academic standards, hard work, and is designed to take young teenagers through a journey of revelation, following the historical process of scientific thought. Instead of formal lectures, our lessons assume the form of discussion, during which the students are encouraged to take part in the development of scientific discoveries. The students search for questions, experience the excitement of discovery as well as its difficulties and limitations, and deeply understand the basics of the material.After four years of running the program, we achieved great results: our young students have passed difficult undergraduate exams with exceptionally high grades, and our senior students have already started partaking in actual academic research. Our program demonstrates a method for maximizing gifted children's potential, and arousing their passion for scientific work. In addition, a young community of scientists is formed within the program, and its members develop the skills to work together, consult peers and are positively committed to high quality scientific research.

Parental Perceptions of STEM Enrichment for Young Children

“…Young gifted students are often bored in regular classrooms (Siemer, 2009). They are likely to be familiar with the lesson content, teachers often pitch the lessons at general-ability students, and lessons are unlikely to contain advanced materials that will meet the needs of gifted children (Pyetan et al, 2014; Rotigel & Fello, 2004). As such, teachers often neglect and overlook these young gifted learners.…”

“…Gifted students have different needs ranging from the cognitive aspect to social and emotional needs (Davis, Rimm, & Siegle, 2013; Peterson, 2006; Pyetan, Oni-Grinberg, Nevo, Shofty, & Yankielowicz, 2014; Rotigel & Fello, 2004). In addition, many of these studies focus on intervention measures for students who are in elementary and beyond.…”