Info Sessions
Stay tuned to our website for our upcoming webinar topics. Want to be the first to learn about upcoming webinar opportunities? Complete our Get Info form and we'll keep you up-to-date on our educational webinars, new programs, course opportunities, gifted education resources, and more.
Previously Recorded Webinars
Join the Summer Institute for the Gifted team for an informational exploration of SIG’s exciting Innovators and Investigators Program options! Below are links to the recorded versions of several live Webinar sessions that we recently offered.
SIG Problem-Based Learning Webinar
Join us for a lively discussion with our very own Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG) all-stars Kandace Lytle and Rachel Lovis. We will be going over the ins and outs of Problem-based learning (PBL), what it is, how it differs from traditional teaching, and show how PBL can help students develop skills such as problem-solving, communication, self-directed learning, and teamwork, which are essential for the 21st century. Learn how Problem-Based Learning can be applied to various disciplines and topics, such as math, science, arts, and more - as we help you decide which course is right for YOU this summer and how to register.
SIG's Campus Spotlight on UCLA and Berkeley
Unsure how to choose between our SIG campuses? Let our resident experts Cece and Kandace walk you through two of our West Coast SIG campuses right in the heart of California and give you a true insider perspective.
Established as the first campus of the University of California system, UC Berkeley is located just across the bay from San Francisco, right in the heart of California. It is ranked as the #2 Top Public university in the nation! SIG Berkeley provides academically advanced students with an exciting and challenging educational experience while also offering cultural, social, and recreational opportunities.
Maybe sunny LA is more your speed? At UCLA, SIG offers our unique STEAM+ curriculum that applies creative thinking across multiple disciplines to solve real-world problems. Students are able to choose from a wide variety of courses that incorporate science, technology, engineering, arts, math, humanities, and fitness/recreation. Students are also able to enjoy fun, recreational activities, trips, and more, to help develop their socio-emotional skills and teach them the importance of work-life balance.
Please join us for an exciting webinar series where we show you how to decide on the best program for you to have the most amazing summer!
Recorded on February 8, 2023
Gifted & Talented with Guest Speaker Paul Kanarek
Please join us for an exciting webinar series with the one and only special guest, Paul Karanek. Paul has more than 40 years of experience in university test preparation and college admissions consulting. He is a highly sought-after presenter, who has appeared on multiple media outlets and been invited to speak about the American university system all over the world. More importantly, he is smart, and enjoyable, and explains things in a way that is both easy to grasp and uplifting!
Recorded on January 25, 2023
Test-Driving the College Experience: From Camp to College to Career
Please join our resident expert Halley Hoot who has participated in over 11 summers with our team for a lively conversation about transitioning from camp to college to career. We will be providing a behind-the-scenes look at our summer opportunities and discussing the transition from high school to college and everything in between.
Recorded on January 18, 2023
Mindfulness Webinar
Recorded on January 18, 2023
A Day in the Life of SIG Students
We sat down with our Director of Academics and one of our Campus Directors to take families hour-by-hour through the SIG experience to give a detailed glimpse into our programs. We covered the flow of the first day and what arrival on campus is like, course structure, teaching philosophies, and topics covered in the classroom, activities available and how our students develop socially in our programs, extended learning opportunities through Academic Evening Workshops, and how SIG wraps up each program so that students connect all the pieces before going back home.
Recorded on April 26, 2022
Watch NowAn Insider’s Perspective: Q&A with Lexi Mauricio
We sat down with SIG middle school student Alessandra "Lexi" Mauricio as she shared how the research skills she learned at SIG prepared her for a once-in-a-lifetime-experience! In her time at SIG, Lexi recruited 32 of her classmates to participate in a one-month experiment that eventually resulted in Lexi being selected to speak to a conference full of medical doctors! Learn how Lexi’s SIG research foundations helped in earning her the honor of being the youngest presenter ever to present at a professional medical conference. She and her father both agree that SIG gave her the mindset in how to prepare, organize, and execute her ideas, the mental preparation, and the confidence she needed for this task. Research skills will be a key focus of our programs this summer, so listen how your student can leverage these skills for a lifetime of success.
Recorded on March 31, 2022
View NowHow to Help Your Student Develop Essential Skills for Success in School and Life
Skills such as organization, time management, memory, planning, etc. are all considered essential mental tasks called executive function. When developed, they allow us to plan, focus, remember, cope, and ultimately achieve goals. Helping students of all ages develop these skills is important now more than ever for them to succeed in school and in the future. Watch and absorb Dan Levine, President and Founder of Engaging Minds, Inc. present actionable strategies you can use at home to help strengthen your child’s executive function skills to keep them on a successful path this school year, and beyond. Dan will share his insights from working with many students on executive function development and will provide tangible strategies parents can use to help enhance these skills in their own students.
Recorded on March 2, 2022
View Now
The Importance of Like-Mindedness with Academic Engagement for Gifted Students
Being surrounded by peers that have similar interests and a passion for learning can do wonders for the development of gifted and talented students, especially socially and emotionally. They are more likely to feel comfortable expressing themselves and showcasing their talents in academic and social spaces. Here at SIG, our goal is to help our gifted and talented youth feel comfortable and seen so that they can further their passions and ideas, even from a young age. Watch our discussion as we dive deeper into the benefits of like-mindedness and walk through the admissions and eligibility process for SIG to establish how we build the foundation of like-mindedness for our programs. This is a great resource for families wanting to better understand our admissions and eligibility requirements and the social/emotional structure of our programs.
Recorded on February 17, 2022.
View NowThe SIGnificance of a Multidisciplinary Academic Approach for Gifted Students
Gifted students thrive when they are given opportunities to explore the depth and breadth of topics and subjects that are meaningful to them. Here at Summer Institute for the Gifted, we meet our students' academic needs through individualized instruction and giving students a variety of ways they can explore their areas of interest. Watch our discussion and discover the unique ways SIG courses offer gifted and talented students challenging and authentic academic experiences that promote intellectual growth. This is a great resource for families wanting to better understand our academic approach and how it is uniquely able to meet student's needs.
Recorded on January 18, 2022
View Now
Taking the Stress Out of College Apps: Q&A with a Former Admissions Counselor
Here the Summer Institute for the Gifted, we believe in easing the minds of students and families at every stage when it comes to applying to college and we have the perfect way to do it: we have our own in-house former admissions counselor! Watch our discussion and listen to some great insider tips and information to help prepare you and your family for the college search and application process. We'll answer some frequently asked questions and answer questions from some of the participants. Preparation is key, and we want to be your best and biggest resource to set you up for success in the future.
Recorded on December 14, 2021.
View NowWhat's New for 2022 at SIG
Summer 2022 is on, and we have some exciting updates for the Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)! This summer, we’re bringing you a variety of in-person programs at world-class universities tailored to your interests. Come learn about new courses, our academic structure, and how your student will have an enriching summer where they can pursue personal passions and create connections with like-minded peers. Our Director of Academics and our Director of Client Services also answer helpful questions and discuss eligibility requirements.
Recorded on October 21, 2021.
View NowHow Soft Skills Prepare Students for Career Success
"Soft skills" are back, and they're anything but soft. Instead, they're the skills that power entire careers regardless of a student's chosen pathway, industry sector, or geography. A recent analysis by America Succeeds and Emsi Burning Glass showed that 7 of the top 10 most requested skills in job postings are what they've termed "durable skills" and that these skills are requested nearly four times as often as the top five hard or technical skills.
Session recorded October 19, 2021.
View NowTips to support academic success of middle school students
Description: SIG and Summer Discovery share some of our top tips to support the academic journeys of middle school students. Middle school is a pivotal transitional period for students and we will discuss how parents can help students in their middle school journey while fostering a love of learning and helping them prepare for high school.
Session recorded on January 28, 2021
View Info SessionSIG Online for Spring and Summer: What’s it all about?
Description: Come learn about SIG’s online learning sessions coming soon for the spring and summer. Join us as we discuss the differences in program structures, courses, and unique features each program has to offer. Understand how SIG uses a multidisciplinary approach, cultivates social connections, and engages highly capable students virtually!
Session recorded on April 15, 2020
Click to ViewSession recorded on April 8, 2020
Click to ViewSIG’s STEAM+ Academic Programming
Description: Is a STEAM curriculum enough to equip 21st century gifted learners? Come learn how SIG is using a STEAM+ approach to help gifted students maximize engagement, potential, and possibilities for the future.
Presented by Caroline Daniel
Click to ViewSIG Miami: An Academic and Social-Emotional Haven
Description: Join Christine Provencher, Program Director for the SIG at University of Miami Innovators program, to learn more about residential and commuter opportunities for students ages 9-17, highlighting the UMiami campus, one of our many exemplary SIG sessions in 2020! We provide a comprehensive overview of SIG at UMiami’s program components, which include enriching academics, residential life, and social activities.
Click to ViewSIG Miami Investigators
Description: Join Christine Provencher, Program Director for the SIG at University of Miami Investigators program, to learn more about full and half day opportunities for students ages 5-8. We provide a comprehensive overview of SIG at UMiami’s program components, which include enriching academics, recreation, and social components.
Click to ViewSocial-Emotional Development Opportunities for Gifted Youth
Description: Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the social and emotional connections that gifted students need to realize their full potential. We share methods we use at SIG to nurture this aspect of the total child, and address FAQs on the topic. We also talk about ways parents can help develop the social and emotional needs of their gifted students and children.
Presented by Kate Kossar and Max-lynn Pierre.
Click to ViewSummer Academic Enrichment for Bright, Primary-Aged Child
Description: This webinar discusses issues and educational practices for primary aged gifted and talented children. Dr. Swicord touches on topics related to characteristics to look for and activities parents can do at home. She shares specifically what the SIG program offers for 5- and 6-year-olds in our summer programs and how those programs meet the needs of this unique age group.
Presented by Dr. Barbara Swicord, President, Summer Institute for the Gifted
Click to ViewYale University: An Example of the Benefits of a Typical SIG
Description: Erika Paine, SIG Senior Program Director for Yale, and Kate Kossar, SIG Director of Operations, discuss residential and commuter opportunities for teens, highlighting Yale University, one of many exemplary SIG campuses in 2020! They provide a comprehensive overview of SIG at Yale’s program components which include enriching academics, residential life, and social activities. Participants also had an opportunity to ask questions.
Click to ViewThe SIG Residential Experience
Description: Join us to learn how the SIG Innovators program is designed to provide your gifted learner with opportunities to enhance critical life skills. SIG Innovator students gain the confidence they need to lead independent, self-motivated, personal, and academic journeys. From time management and self-care to social engagement with a diverse group of their peers, we discuss the benefits of living and learning at a SIG residential campus.
Presented by Dr. Barbara Swicord and Kate Kossar
Click to ViewIncluding Multicultural Content in Gifted Education
Description: This webinar presents an overview of how to blend Bloom’s Taxonomy with James Banks’ Model of how to infuse multicultural content into the curriculum. Examples of culturally assaultive lessons are shared. The Banks Model is explained, followed by the Matrix and sample matrices completed by teachers.
Presented by Dr. Donna Y Ford, SIG’s 2019 Person of SIGnificance and Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology.
Click to ViewThe SIG Admissions Process
Description: Join SIG’s Admissions Team as they navigate the SIG admissions process and explore how students can demonstrate eligibility for our programs. Our Admission Team also answered questions and addressed concerns about our upcoming 2020 summer programs.
Click to ViewSIG Academics Virtual Open House
Description: Is a STEAM curriculum enough to equip 21st century gifted learners? Come learn how SIG is using a STEAM+ approach to help gifted students maximize engagement, potential, and possibilities for the future. Understand how SIG courses use a multidisciplinary approach to engage gifted minds, and be the first to preview new courses we have in store for 2020!
Click to View2020 SIG Investigators Virtual Open House
Description: This virtual open house provides a comprehensive overview of campus options, enriching academics, eligibility criteria, social offerings, and more. Participants had the opportunity to ask specific questions.
Presented by the SIG Program Directors
Click to View2020 SIG Innovators Virtual Open House
Description: This virtual open house provides a comprehensive overview of campus options, enriching academics, eligibility criteria, social offerings, and more. Participants had the opportunity to ask specific questions.
Presenter: SIG Program Directors
Click to ViewCreativity in STEM is More Than STEAM
Description: With the emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and standardized testing in U.S. education, many educators have become concerned that students’ creativity is being sacrificed. In July 2010, Newsweek featured a cover story about the “Creativity Crisis” in our schools, documenting a decline in creativity scores in our nation’s students. To balance the curriculum, educators called for STEAM programs, which insert the arts within the sciences. However, merely including art in the curriculum does not address the issue of helping students to think creatively in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This workshop demonstrated ways to encourage dispositions and infuse creative strategies into the curriculum at different age levels and content areas to make the teaching of that content inherently engaging and to inspire students toward innovation.
Presenter:Dr. Bonnie Cramond Professor of Educational Psychology/Gifted and Creative Education at the University of Georgia
Click to View