EDUCATIONAL FORUM: DEC. 15, 2013
SANDY SPRING FRIENDS SCHOOL
9:15 am – Door Opens [EXHIBIT AREA – MIDDLE SCHOOL]
9:50 – 10:00 – Welcome and Guide to Forum
[ATH.CTR. GYM]
Presenters: David Hickson, Assistant Head of School, Sandy Spring Friends School , Patsy Kumekawa, Scholar Search Associates
PRESENTATIONS - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
10:00 – 11:00 a. “Gifted”? “Academically Talented”? Is There a Difference and Does it Matter? [ATH.CTR. GYM]
It’s important to think of talent in young people not as a badge to be worn but as abilities to be recognized and cultivated. This talk defines talent
development, contrasts talent development approaches with some common approaches in traditional gifted education, and provide s resources for parents
acting as the lead ‘general contractor’ in securing the educational resources for their child’s K -12 years.
Presenter: Charles Beckman, Director, Marketing and Communications, The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
b. Early College Alternatives [YARNALL LIBRARY]
Curiosity and the desire to learn can be sustained throughout one’s formal education experience. For some in high school, ear ly college alternatives can
provide not only the advanced course material but also a suitable learning environment that can spark intellectual and emotional growth. An admission
administrator of the institution that was the first in the country to be devoted to early college will explore three kinds of early college models and the kind
of students who most benefit from this experience.
Presenter: Meg Verrelli, Admission Counselor, Bard College at Simon’s Rock
11:00 – 12:00 a. What do “21st Century Education” and “Global Education” Really Mean? [ATH.CTR. GYM]
These buzzwords are among the latest darlings with educators, schools, and the media. Here’s a chance to discover what these buzzwords really
represent. Come learn what lies behind these terms and what parents should consider when weighing educational options for the ir child.
Presenter: David Hickson, Assistant Head of School for Academic Innovation, Sandy Spring Friends School
b. AP and IB Courses: What They Are, How to Prepare, and How They Help with College [YARNALL LIBRARY]
The college admissions process is getting more competitive each year. AP classes and the IB Program are an increasingly important means for students
to differentiate themselves, so it is important to be well informed about them. Together we’ll talk about the difference bet ween AP classes and the IB
Program, how they work, and what subjects each program offers. Additionally, we’ll discuss the best way for both middle and high school students to
prepare for the rigorous coursework. Finally, we’ll talk about how these programs benefit students, both during the college application process, and in
college itself.
Presenter: Edward Kim, Academic Trainer , C2 Education
c. Tour of Sandy Spring Friends School [meet at the SSFS TABLE in the MIDDLE SCHOOL EXHIBIT AREA]
12:00 – 1:00 ---------------------
LUNCH BREAK
Families welcome to meet one another
---------------------
1:00 – 2:00 a. Candid Conversation: Demystifying the Admission Process at Highly Selective Universities & Colleges
[ATH.CTR. GYM]
In a climate of mixed messaging, it is time to clear the air. Learn the Who, What, When, Why, and How of the highly selective college admissions
process and prepare for the time when this knowledge becomes pertinent.
Presenter: Calvin C. Wise, Associate Dean of Admission, Johns Hopkins University
b. Developing Critical and Creative Thinking [YARNALL LIBRARY]
Wouldn’t it be nice if children could naturally hone critical thinking skills and creativity through play and collaboration? Could they, in turn, be inspired to
develop new ideas and solve problems? Is it, in fact, possible to associate critical thinking with fun? The answers are yes, yes, and yes! Learn about
creative problem solving tools and find out how you can help your children channel t heir creative energies and sustain the wonder of imagination through
school and beyond.
Presenter: Laurie B. Abeel, Ph.D., Affiliate Director, Virginia Destination ImagiNation
c. Tour of Sandy Spring Friends School [meet at the SSFS TABLE in the MIDDLE SCHOOL EXHIBIT AREA]
EDUCATIONAL FORUM: DEC. 15, 2013
SANDY SPRING FRIENDS SCHOOL
PRESENTATIONS - continued
2:00 – 3:00 a. College, Presentability, Authenticity [ATH.CTR. GYM]
Instead of basing decisions on “what will look good” on college applications, student should be pursuing their passions and becoming engaged as active
learners. In the end, this approach almost always generates the greatest benefits, not only for college admission but also fo r personal growth. We’ll
explain why, and we’ll also show how being who you are on your best day wil l not only make you more attractive to colleges, but help you make the most
of college as what it really is: one more step on the path towards your hopes and dreams.
Presenter: Abby Cole and Caitlin Pierce, Counselors, Options for College
b. Global Competency Through Intercultural Learning [YARNALL LIBRARY]
Everyone, from U.S. Department of Education administrators, to educators, to overseas travelers, would agree that foreign stu dy or sustained experience
in another culture widens awareness and enables understanding and effective communication skills. And although being immersed in a land or
community with unfamiliar customs or language is not always easy, most would argue strenuously that the experience is well wo rth the challenge. How do
intercultural exchanges transform perspective? What should you look for in an intercultural program to become globally compet ent in the 21st century?
Come discuss these issues and more with someone in the know.
Presenter: Debra Woolley, Director of Marketing, AFS-USA
3:00 – 4:00 a. The Truths About the Myths of Gifted Education [ATH.CTR. GYM]
Dispel the myths and learn the truth about gifted and talented learners in today’s classrooms. Persistent belief in these pervasive myths contribute to the overall lack of
attention and challenge for our nation’s high ability learners who require something different, leading to underfunded programs, “excellence gaps” that continue to widen,
and no place for them to thrive. Learn what every parent, educator, and advocate should know.
Presenter: Yvonne Golczewski, President, MD Coalition for Gifted & Talented Education
b. Instilling Interest, Purpose and Motivation [YARNALL LIBRARY]
Developing, expanding and sustaining personal and academic growth are challenges that all parents and educators share. To be sure, every student is
distinctive with unique skill sets and motivations. Yet, strategies for your child can be adopted that can encourage academic maturation, nour ish curiosity
and help achieve personal goals. Discover what you as parents can do. Come hear an author and long -time educational administrator share practical and
effective ways to help your child reach his or her full potential.
Presenter: Daniel Morrissey, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Western Reserve Academy
EDUCATIONAL FORUM: DEC. 15, 2013
SANDY SPRING FRIENDS SCHOOL
STUDENT SESSIONS 10:00 am - 4:00 pm student sessions are
open to all students in 4 t h -12th grades.
1) Good Movies / Bad Science (grades 4-6) with Karen Weeks, Johns Hopkins CTY (RM 103) (11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm)
Can a car really jump across a bridge that is out? Could Superman safely catch a woman falling through midair just before she hits the ground? What really occurs
when ships and planets are destroyed in space? Not to pop your bubble, but do action movies re ally need to extend the boundaries of Newtonian physics in order
for you to keep coming back? The answer is YES! Be amazed at believing the unbelievable and appreciate how the magic of movie s and the laws of nature don’t
always see eye to eye. (For grades: 4-6, session limit: 20)
2) Learning Art Through Fiber (grades 4+) with The Handwork Studio (RM 217) (10am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm)
Become acquainted with an often-neglected skill. Be introduced to fiber arts and machine sewing through the creation of a Patchwork Pillow. Challenge your
mathematical and fine motor skills and discover another facet of your creativity by designing, embroidering and machine sewing a work of your own to own. There is far
more to fiber arts than meets the eye. (grades: 4+, session limit: 24)
3) Hangry Birds (grades 4-8) with Diana Allen, Science Instructor, Johns Hopkins CTYOnline (RM 202) (11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm)
Can you keep your bird from losing its temper. A limited food supply is enough to transform any hungry bird into an angry one! Learn about bird beak adaptations for
acquiring food and the selection pressures that various bird species face in nature. Put your knowledge and bioengineering skills to the test by designing a bird beak
that is well adapted to pick up different types of food. Examine the relationship between beak shape and preferred foods. Compete against other birds for limited food
supplies and the opportunity to live to reproduce. Whatever you do, do not let your bird go hangry! (grades 4-8, session limit: 20)
4) So the Dog Ate Your Homework !?! (grades 4-8) with Tim Croft, Sandy Spring Friends School (RM 116) (10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm)
We all experienced it: we forgot our assignment, we lost the instructions … This session is designed to make your life easier. Examine some tools and become familiar
with strategies that will greatly enhance your ability to organize your academic thinking and execute those tasks required to get you where you’re going. If you are good
at this already, here’s your chance to get even better. If you think you need some improvement in this area, attend this workshop today and get that extra beauty sleep
tonight. (For grades: 4-8, session limit: 25)
5) Instant Challenges (grades 4-6, 7+) with Dan Henderson and Sally Gold, Destination ImagiNation (RM 101) (gr. 4-6: 10am,11am,2pm,3pm) (gr.7+: 1pm)
Using only 1 paper plate, 1 rubber band, 1 clothespin, 2 paperclips and a piece of string, can your team build a bridge between two tables that will support an egg for 10
seconds? You have 5 minutes. Tap into your inner creativity to solve challenging problems like this on the spot. Can you work together as a team to imagine a solution
that trumps your opponents? Ready! Set! Go! (For grades: 4-6 and 7+, session limit: 28)
6) Word Magic! (grades 4-6, 7+) with Andrew Moss, TCTY Summer Programs Manager, Johns Hopkins CTY (RM 218) (gr. 4-6: 10am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm)
Have you ever been asked to write a 200 word paper but can only come up with 12 words? We know a fix for that, and so will you in just one hour. Hint: it's about tuning
up your five senses and doing something magical with words that helps people see (and hear and smell and taste and feel) what you see (et cetera). Why tell your
parents school was just "good," if what really happened was an awesome Great Dane got loose in the cafeteria, then ran up and licked the lunch lady's face right before
lunging head first into the mystery meat for lunch that day. It's so much more fun that way! (For grades: 4-6, 7+, session limit: 25)
7) Writing Fiction: Creating Characters and Getting Started (grades 4-6, 7+) with Steve Barish, Writer Instructor, Johns Hopkins CTYOnline (RM 201)
(gr. 4-6: 10am, 11am) (gr.7+: 2pm)
A daunting task for most beginning writers, of any age, is getting started. “I need a plot, and characters and a setting. How to begin?” Learn how to make the task less
daunting by exploring how to write character files, how to create dynamic first sentences and how to envision sticky situations. Be a part of a dynamic workshop writing
and discussing each other’s work. Then, the rest becomes easy as you learn how to develop a plan of attack for how to continue your story. (For grades: 4-6 and 7+,
session limit: 20)
8) Leadership Dissected-How to Influence Others (Positively) (gr. 7+) w/ D. Morrissey, Dean of Admission,Western Reserve Academy (RM 118) (10am,11am,1pm)
There are many opinions of what constitutes the qualities of leadershipBut one characteristic that many effective leaders share is the ability to develop positive group
dynamics and focus. Now is your chance to develop your leadership capabilities and tap your ability to influence others. Come, take part in activities, and realize the
leadership power within you.
(grades 7+, session limit: 25)
9) Avoiding the Consolation Prize (grades7-10) w/ Carlos Rodriguez & Dawn Butler,Sr. Prgm. Mgrs., Johns Hopkins CTYOnline (RM 200) (1pm,2pm,3pm)
Game show contestants dream of riches, not consolation case of Hamburger Helper. Place yourself in a game show contestant’s shoes and be challenged to find
winning game show strategies by reasoning mathematically. By drawing from both familiar and obscure game shows, explore diverse topics in math from game theory
to Pascal’s triangle that just might help get you that pot of gold. Games discussed include Let’s Make a Deal, Deal or No Deal, Plinko, and Golden Balls. (For grades:
7-10, session limit: 25)
10) Looking at a Mirror Through the World (grades 7+) with Debra Woolley, Director of Marketing, AFS-USA (RM 102) (10am, 11am, 1pm)
Here’s a challenge to poke through the comforts of your “cultural” bubble and get an idea of what it is like being on the “outside”. Using basic concepts of intercultural
communications, immerse yourself in a fun exercise of confronting varying values, assumptions and expectations. Guaranteed, within an hour, you will expand your
awareness of yourself and appreciation of others and other cultures– always a good thing. Better yet, you might even get the travel bug. (For grades: 7+, session
limit: 25)
11) Confronting Chaos (grades 7+) with: Victoria Trapani, Faculty, Sandy Springs Friends School (RM 117) (10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm)
In a world when information and news are coming at us from every direction, how do we become intelligent consumers of the news? While using different media to
examine a current event, engage in a discussion about how to separate the wheat from the chaff. Bring on Rush Limbaugh and the Huffington Post! (For grades: 7+,
limit: 25)
12) Writing Workshop: The College Application Essay (grades 7-12) w/ Abby Cole & Caitlin Pierce, Counselors, Options for College (RM 203) (10am, 11am, 3pm)
It’s never too early to start. Come and examine the intricacies of the college application essay in the context of the whole admission read. Parse the essay’s function
into the purpose, the strategy and the mechanics using actual examples to obtain a better understanding of this component of the application process. (For grades: 712, session limit: 25)