Gifted Education

Internet Resources

For Educators, Parents, Students, Administrators, and Policymakers

 

►Portals   General   Math-Science-Technology   Testing   Publishing-Writing-Reading   Ohio

 

►Portals

Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC)

Official site of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. An encyclopedia of resources, advocacy, Summer Opportunities, and more. Sections for coordinators, teachers, parents, and students are a plus. Sign up for Ohiogift, a list to stay current on gifted education across Ohio. Remember: Important news about gifted education advocacy, related education proposals in the state legislature, and news about the Ohio Board of Education is here. See official Ohio Department of Education-approved information on assessment of gifted students here; the latest full chart download is here. See here for performing and visual arts identification and accompanying handbooks. A partnership with GT Ignite provides high quality professional development. The divisions section offers resources and support for teachers, coordinators, parents, students, and higher education.

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

National overview for parents and educators alike. The NAGC mission is to invest its resources to train teachers, encourage parents, and to educate administrators and policymakers on how to develop and support gifted, high-potential children. A visit here reveals excellent resources, hyperlinks, publications, and legislative information. The directory of summer programs and other prospects for educators and parents is far-reaching. For the official websites of all NAGC state affiliates for gifted education, go here. For NAGC publications, go here. Also see the NAGC YouTube Channel. A glossary of basic terminology on giftedness is here. The NAGC-CEC Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted and Talented Education document is valuable. Likewise, the Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards document is helpful. (Resources often require NAGC membership.)

Center for Talented Youth, The (CTY; The Johns Hopkins University)

Seemingly having it all: summer programs, talent search, distance learning, resources for educators and parents. And more: counseling, diagnostics, and assessment guidance, including information on giftedness and learning disabilities and underachievement; career direction; services for schools; school advice for parents seeking student coursework credit, guidance, or placement. Extensive hyperlinks, on all facets of giftedness. A bibliography and hyperlinks to additional online reading resources are beneficial. Imagine, a CTY-sponsored, award-winning magazine, offers writing opportunities for gifted and talented students ages 12-18. (Also see Imagine below, in the Publishing-Writing-Reading section.) Other outstanding assets are in the Opportunities and Resources section. Here, you’ll find an impressive selection of Academic competitions, Academic summer programs, Internships and research opportunities, Early college entrance programs, Career exploration resources, and Research resources. In Academic summer programs, for example, you’ll choose among these prospects: Talent Search, Early College Entrance, Foreign Language & Study Abroad, History & Archaeology, Math & Computer Science, Politics, Leadership & Debate, Science, Visual & Performing Arts, and Writing. Each of these, in turn, lists a multitude of additional choices to entertain the mind and imagination.

Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development (University of Iowa)

Exemplary service to the worldwide gifted community of students, educators, and families, through advocacy, programming, counseling, news, and research. Grades 4-11 summer and grades 4-12 weekend student programs. Academic talent search via Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS), grades 2-9. Coursework, professional development, endorsement, grant-funded initiatives, and more, for educators of gifted students. Student AP resources are a plus. Sponsors the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition. A free download of A Nation Deceived, on acceleration, is available. (Also see A Nation Empowered below, in the General section.)

Center for Talent Development (CTD; Northwestern University)

Serving gifted and talented students (age 4 and up through grade 12) and their families, the CTD offers the annual Midwest Academic Talent Search, grades 3-9; LearningLinks distance academics, grades 4-12; and four age-stratified summer programs, grades pre-K-12. Online Learning Programs are here, and Summer Programs are here. The Civic Education Project, grades 7-12; and the Gifted Education Institute. A sign-up, e-mailed Talent Newsletter, and other programs, seminars, and workshops are additional assets. So are the CTD Blog and the Gifted Education Blog.

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page

A comprehensive resource on gifted education — for parents, teachers, administrators and other educators, counselors, and psychologists, and gifted young people, as well. Acceleration gets attention here and here. Acronyms, terminology, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and other introductory materials for those who are new to the field are here. Dedicated sections for educators and parents are exhaustive. Bibliographies of Gifted Research are thorough. Site includes content of the original ERIC databases. (See ERIC below, in the General section.)

 

General

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AASL (American Association of School Librarians)

Teaching and learning are the foundation here. Toward those ends, you’ll find Best Apps for Teaching & Learning, as well as Best Websites for Teaching & Learning. Innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration are central with these free, web-based sites that should benefit the gifted community.

Accelerated Schools PLUS

Dedicated to enriched learning for all students, especially those set apart by high poverty, low academics, and remediation, through accelerated instruction and gifted and talented teaching strategies.

Acceleration Institute

The Acceleration Institute is dedicated to the study of curricular acceleration for academically talented children. Visit here to see all the available resources on acceleration: links to state acceleration policies, an annotated bibliography of research articles, stories of acceleration, a PowerPoint presentation on acceleration, and more. The Parents section is here. The Educators section is here. Policymakers, go here. Researchers, go here. The Guidelines for Developing an Academic Acceleration Policy is a free download, here.

ActivelyLearn

Promotes deep understanding with literacy, through meaning and analysis. Fee-based.

American Association for Gifted Children

Located at Duke University, the AAGC has a clear mission: To foster a better understanding of the educational needs and capabilities of all young people who have been identified as gifted and talented. Numerous publications and videos are available.

American Association of School Librarians

Educators benefit here with an array of resources.

American Psychological Association - Gifted and Talented Education

The mission here is to generate public awareness, advocacy, clinical applications, and the latest research that will enhance the achievement and performance of students with special gifts and talents in all domains, including academics, the performing arts, sports, and the professions. Valuable downloads are on this page, as well as here.

AP Central

Official and most recent and comprehensive information on Advanced Placement and Pre-AP programs, courses, and exams, as well as singular resources and tools. Pre-AP coursework launches for the 2018-19 school year and is for 9th-graders.

ArtsEdge

The Kennedy Center’s free digital resource for teaching and learning about the arts. Find a multitude of lessons, activities, and projects, as well as multimedia resources. Databases are searchable. (Materials are not specifically for gifted instruction, but are very suitable.)

Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development

(Also see Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education above, in the Portals section.)

BertieKingore.com

Differentiation, achievement, and service to gifted children. Learning materials and articles for parents and educators are downloadable or viewable online. Workshops and presentations include an emphasis on differentiation and tiered classroom centers.

Blogs

Many websites pertaining to gifted education also share information via their blog, YouTube, Facebook, and other social media sites. Be sure to investigate these resources, too, as you visit each site.

Brainy-Child

Self-described as “all about the brainy child,” this UK site lists hundreds of topics and addresses them authoritatively. Among the topics on the gifted child: characteristics, activities, the under-challenged, parenting, educational issues, ADHD, and learning disabilities.

BrightKids@Home

Resources for families that home-school bright children.

Buckeye On-Line School for Success, The (BOSS)

Online, custom K-12 curricula, and a choice between synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery. Free, accredited public school.

Byrdseed

Byrdseed helps teachers, parents, and others understand and support or serve gifted learners. Among topics are differentiating lessons, teaching across content areas, and appreciating social and emotional needs of gifted children. Here, math, language arts, creativity, and parent resources are valuable. The link to Byrdseed.tv lists 225-plus fee-based videos on reading, math, writing, social studies, art, differentiation, and more. Go here for an array of free videos.

CampOFLA

Camp OFLA is a residential elementary foreign language camp for students in grades 3-8. It was created by the Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) in 2005. Among the languages: Spanish, Russian, French, German, and Japanese. Visit OFLA here.

Carol Tomlinson, Dr.

Differentiating instruction gets its due with educator and researcher Tomlinson. She has authored more than a dozen books on differentiation.

Center for Africana Studies (University of Pennsylvania)

African resources, including lesson plans, for K-12 educators. Maps, flags, cultural images, current events. Countries searchable alphabetically.

Center for Civic Education, The

All facets of civic education — including the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights; U.S. political traditions and institutions at the federal, state, and local levels; constitutionalism; civic participation; and the rights and responsibilities of citizens — receive attention, including We the People programs. The Center administers a range of critically acclaimed curricular, teacher-training, and community-based programs.

Center for Creative Learning, LLC

Problem-solving and talent development are keys here.

Center for Gifted Education (College of William and Mary)

A primary goal: To provide graduate education programs and opportunities for people interested in teaching gifted students and assuming administrative and leadership positions in the field of gifted education. Curriculum focus. Precollegiate programs.

Center for Gifted Education Policy

The American Psychological Association sponsors this site to generate public awareness, advocacy, clinical applications, and the latest research ideas that will enhance the achievement and performance of gifted and talented students. Information pertains to schooling and parenting, as well as the development of careers. Among the pilot projects: the study of mentorship with students in high school, and research into the value of specialized high schools for scientific research.

Center for Talent Development (CTD; Northwestern University)

(Also see Center for Talent Development above, in the Portals section.)

Center for Talented Youth, The (CTY; The Johns Hopkins University)

(Also see Center for Talented Youth above, in the Portals section.)

ChessKid

The world of chess is here, for students 13 and under. Free ChessKid apps for Apple and Android operating systems are available in their respective stores. Older students might prefer the related site with no age limits: Chess.com.

Class Central

(Also see MOOCs below, in this section.)

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College Grazing

Get help here searching for the college right for each student.

ConSource

This online library of free, fully indexed United States Constitution sources provides an array of information about that document and its genesis and evolution. ConSource gives U.S. Founders, Reconstructionists, and original Feminists voices in the classroom and courtroom, providing an informed history of the Constitution. Lesson plans are a welcome plus, as are videos.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. Advocacy, standards, and professional development allow the CEC to meets its goals. The sections on Policy & Advocacy, Professional Development, Publications, and Standards are strong.

Coursera

(Also see MOOCs below, in this section.)

Creativity Post, The

Topics on creativity, imagination, and innovation abound. Subsections include education, philosophy, tech, science, arts, and business, among others. Broad influence on giftedness.

Davidson Institute

The mission is to nurture the profoundly gifted. This is effected by The Davidson Academy of Nevada, at the University of Nevada, Reno, a public school for middle- and high-school students; the Davidson Young Scholars and the THINK Summer Institute programs; the Educator’s Guild; and other outreach, such as the book Genius Denied (see Genius Denied below, in this section). The database of resources, as with state policies, topics, and articles, is readily searchable. The Davidson Academy now offers online instruction for students everywhere, in addition to its residential program. Social networking links around the world and in many states can be found here.

Destination ImagiNation

Problem-solving skill development, to build ingenuity and teamwork in enjoyable, meaningful ways. Teams of five to seven members work over a period of several weeks to apply critical thinking and their particular talents to solve any of five Team Challenges. Each Challenge has its own educational focus, from Fine Arts to Architectural Design and beyond. Multiple age-groupings, from 4 on up.

DiRhody.com

Information on children who are highly gifted and who have learning disabilities. Author links are solid.

Discovery Education

A gamut of resources — from STEM to clip art — from the cable network. Tremendous number of free resources for teachers, parents, and K-12 students. Teachers will benefit from resources like professional development and lesson plans. Math resources are especially robust.

Duke TIP (Duke University Talent Identification Program)

For grades 4-12, with loads of resources for students and teachers. Summer opportunities. The Digest of Gifted Research offers an impressive collection of research-based information on raising and educating the gifted student.

Education Week

The gamut of information on K-12 education. Search the substantial archives to see a host of articles on “gifted education,” “gifted and talented,” and similar search terms, here.

Educators Guild

The Educators Guild is a free online community for elementary, secondary, post-secondary educators, and other professionals committed to meeting the unique needs of highly gifted students. From the Davidson Institute.

edX

(Also see MOOCs below, in this section.)

Environmental Education (EPA – U.S. Environmental Agency)

For K-12 students who need access to homework resources to learn about the environment, and for educators who need lesson plans and project ideas to teach about the environment. Similarly, Environmental Education (EE) is a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about environmental issues that enhances knowledge, builds critical thinking skills. Earth Day news is here. Extensive educator lesson plans, teacher guides, and other resources are here.

Envision

Students in grades 3-12 learn about leadership and careers here. Among the 17 programs: National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Medicine; The Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC), on leadership development program for middle school students; NYLF Pathways to STEM, for aspirational elementary school students; and Envision Game & Technology Academy.

EPA Learning and Teaching About the Environment

For K-12 students who need access to homework resources to learn about the environment, and for educators who need lesson plans and project ideas to teach about the environment. Similarly, Environmental Education (EE) is a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about environmental issues that enhances knowledge, builds critical thinking skills. Earth Day news is here. Extensive educator lesson plans, teacher guides, and other resources are here.

EPGY (Education Program for Gifted Youth; Stanford University)

(Also see GiftedAndTalented.com [its renamed title] below, in this section.)

ERIC Educational Resources

Massive database of more than a million education articles, via the U.S. Department of Education. Searchable by title, author, and key word(s), all of which are listed vertically on the left. The above link is for “gifted education.”

Essex, Martin W. School for the Gifted and Talented

A weeklong summer residential program at Otterbein University near Columbus, Ohio, for the gifted and talented in grades 11-12. Areas of interest: arts, sciences, and humanities, via seminars, hands-on workshops, and field trips.

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Excellence Through Classics

A standing committee of the American Classical League, ETC is dedicated to promoting and supporting elementary, middle school, and introductory classics programs. Online resources are especially compelling.

Exquisite Minds

The goal is to cultivate creativity in bright and gifted children. Linked sections on prodigies, books, games, apps, movies, curriculum resources are exceptional. Materials for educators (teaching the twice-exceptional, class size, critical thinking, and many other topics), parents, and students, too. Topical blog posts are thoughtful.

Exworthy Educational Resources

Resources for teachers of deaf students. Links to sites for the deaf and hearing-impaired are formidable. See the listings here and here.

Facebook

Many websites pertaining to gifted education also share information via their blog, YouTube, Facebook, and other social media sites. Be sure to check these resources as you visit each primary site.

Future City Competition™

Cross-curricular engineering activities for students in grades 6-8 that present engineering challenges that allow participants to offer their vision of a city of the future. Competition embraces problem-solving, teamwork, research and presentation skills, practical mathematics, science applications, and computer skills.

Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP International)

Via creative problem-solving, the FPSP program develops critical-thinking skills in students as it encourages them to develop a vision for the future. FPSP features curricular and co-curricular competitive — as well as non-competitive — activities. Participants range in age from 8 to 18. Some programs offer non-team competition.

Future Problem Solving Program - Ohio (FPSP Ohio)

Specifically called Ohio Future Problem Solving Program. Via creative problem-solving, the FPSP program develops critical-thinking skills in students as it encourages them to develop a vision for the future. FPSP features curricular and co-curricular competitive — as well as non-competitive — activities. Participants range in age from 8 to 18. Some programs offer non-team competition.

 

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GATE (Michigan State University Gifted and Talented Education)

Serves students in middle school and high school. Specialties are languages, humanities, forensics, arts, literature, medicine, and STEM-related fields.

Genius Denied

Book on gifted advocacy. For students, parents, educators, policy-makers, and mentors. (Also see Davidson Institute for Talent Development, above, in this section.)

GiftedAndTalented.com

From Stanford University, this program began as EPGY. K-12 online courses in Mathematics, Language Arts, Science and Computer Programming. Tutor-supported or independent study. Fee-based coursework.

Gifted Child Society, The  (TGCS)

The Gifted Child Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing unique enrichment programs and services to gifted children in preschool, elementary school, middle school, and other environments. New Jersey orientation.

Gifted Development Center

Focus is on visual-spatial learners, twice-exceptional learners, and the highly gifted. Comprehensive assessment, counseling, tutoring, and telephone consultations. Dr. Linda Silverman, director.

Gifted Education Commons

Hundreds of free, downloadable, full-length articles on all facets of gifted education are here. (Some are book-length.) Typical topics include Educating Gifted Students In The Regular Classroom: Efficacy, Attitudes, And Differentiation Of Instruction, by Daniel William Caldwell; Teacher Perspectives Regarding Gifted Diverse Students, by Toni Szymanski, Thomas Shaff; and The Effects Of An Elementary After-School Enrichment Program On Gifted And Talented Students’ Attitudes Toward School, by Madison Nicole Cunningham.

Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI; Purdue University)

Promotes the development of the gifted and talented, and provides services to them and their families. Summer youth residency program. Professional development program. GERI is dedicated to serving twice-exceptional students through programming like Super Saturday, Super Summer, and Summer Residential Camps. The Diversity Initiative for Gifted Students recruits students from underrepresented groups for participation in GERI student programs, and coordinates support services to contribute to their holistic development.

Gifted Guild

An organization for educators who are passionate about gifted kids and committed to exceptional educational practice. It was created by Ian Byrd and Lisa Van Gemert to help you grow as an educator through authentic professional development; connecting with other educators of the gifted, and recognition of advanced skills and superb practice.

Gifted Guru

Practical and useful resources, tips and tricks of the trade for parents and educators and homeschooling families alike.

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum

Great array of resources for families that home-school their gifted children. Parent resources are welcome.

Gifted Kids Speak

International study on giftedness, with input and observations from youth about being gifted. This research undertaking parallels a 1980s study that led to Gifted Children Speak Out, a 1984 book by Jim Delisle, Ph.D.

GiftedSources.com

Links for students at all grade levels. Topics from Arts & Humanities to Research, Vocational Studies, and Social Studies will engage visitors for hours.

Gifted Students Institute

Located at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, the GSI assists educators, parents, and students and contributes to ongoing research in giftedness.

Global SchoolNet

International online education. Students, parents, educators, and others can collaborate on projects.

Glossary of Gifted Education, A (NAGC)

The A-to-Z of gifted terminology, with a lot of linked content. Especially instructive for those new to the world of gifted education. See also Wikipedia Gifted Education, the extensive Wikipedia site.

GRO (Gifted Research and Development)

GRO’s mission consists of two interrelated components, the commitment to further world understanding of giftedness through scientific research and the promotion of a comprehensive and accurate understanding of giftedness through outreach.

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GT Ignite

Professional development coursework for teachers and coordinators in gifted education. Downloadable .pdf books for parents are a bonus, here.

GT World

E-mail lists for parents and others to join are on gifted; gifted and disabled; gifted and homeschooled; and other niches. A bibliography, an overview of testing, and hyperlinks are among other resources. The reading list — it encompasses picture books and a large number of chapter books — is abundant.

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS®)

Thinking-skills program established by Dr. Stanley Pogrow for Title I and LD students in grades 4-8. Emphasis on Socratic teaching (dialogue), as opposed to pervasive content remediation.

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page

(Also see Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page above, in the Portals section.)

Hollingworth Center for Highly Gifted Children, The

Full range of teacher and parent resources for the highly gifted. Workshops, bibliography, identification, assessment, and more.

Homeschooling In Ohio - Gifted

For parents in Ohio who are homeschooling or who are considering homeschooling a gifted child.

Institute for Educational Advancement

This non-profit organization is dedicated to identifying and supporting talented young people from 2 to 18. The organization advances educational practices and policies that promote academic rigor, high standards, and excellence in the arts and educational innovation. Links from the Gifted Resource Center section encompass Advocacy, Schools, Twice Exceptional, and more.

Intellectual Giftedness

An extensive look at giftedness, from Wikipedia. Loads of pertinent links and a huge bibliography make for a satisfying visit.

International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

International scope for active learners. IB programs are for youth ages 3 to 19. Information helps schools become IB-qualified. (Also see Ohio Association of IB World Schools, the Ohio-specific IB site below, in this section.)

International Gifted Consortium, The

The mission here is collaborative understanding, identification, and support of the unique social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and altruistic development of giftedness, through the lens of the highly and profoundly gifted. Targeted research, advocacy, education, and other site-approaches work toward this good.

Internet Special Education Resources (ISER)

Categorized information on autism, ADHD, Aspergers, vision impairment, assessments, therapy, schools, programs, and many other groupings, to assist young people with special needs.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a private, independent foundation dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. The Foundation supports exceptional students from elementary school to graduate school through scholarships, grants, direct service, and knowledge creation and dissemination.

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships Program

Provides fellowships to students of superior academic ability — selected on the basis of demonstrated achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise — to undertake study at doctoral and Master of Fine Arts levels in 28 selected fields of arts, humanities, and social sciences. Program is via the U.S. Department of Education.

Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots

A free youth service program for students of all ages. Their mission is to foster respect and compassion for nature and the environment. The educators section is rich with information and links, as with lesson plans, Facebook, online professional development, videos, and much more. See the Roots & Shoots Online Course for deeper understanding.

Joseph S. Renzulli, Dr.

(Also see Neag Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development below, in this section. Also see LPI Learning and Renzulli Learning.)

Junior State of America (JSA)

Current events and social, political, and other civics issues of today come into focus with this club for high-school students. Members share opinions in an open setting, and they develop leadership skills by conducting political-awareness activities at school and overnight conventions like the Congress Convention. Local, state, national, and international in scope.

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Khan Academy

Learning exercises and tutorials for grades K on up. Mathsciencecomputing, world historyart and humanitieseconomics and finance, and more free online classes. Full details on enrollment, participation, and other Khan features, for students, parents, and teachers. Help on preparation for the SAT and other tests is a plus. On YouTube, Khan has more than 5,500 videos on education and more than 1,200 on medicine.

Kids Philosophy Slam

The KPS is an annual program designed to make philosophy fun and accessible to students in grades K-12, as well as to help promote critical-thinking skills and encourage dialogue with other students and adults. The Slam asks students to answer a philosophical question. Depending on their age, students can express themselves in words, artwork, poetry, or song.

Kingore, Bertie

Differentiation, achievement, and service to gifted children. Learning materials and articles for parents and educators are downloadable or viewable online. Workshops and presentations include an emphasis on differentiation and tiered classroom centers.

Learners Link

Teacher emphasis, with research-based, hands-on staff development, classroom coaching. Outstanding array of hyperlinks to resources.

Lesson Plans and Resources for Teaching Gifted and Talented Students

As the title indicates, this site is loaded with lesson plans to educate gifted and talented students. Vast, broad array of subjects is a plus.

Library of Congress Teacher Resources

The U.S. Library of Congress offers classroom materials and professional development to help teachers effectively use primary sources from the Library’s deep, authoritative digital collections in their teaching. Resources are designed to meet state content standards, and the standards of national organizations. The Classroom Materials section of ready-to-use resources was developed by teachers. Other top sections: Professional Development, Lesson Plans, Primary Source Sets, Presentations & Activities, Themed Resources, and Collection Connections. (The site does not specifically target the gifted community, but materials support the gifted mission.)

Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and Talented

A weeklong summer residential program at Otterbein University, near Columbus, Ohio, for the gifted and talented in grades 11-12. Areas of interest: arts, sciences, and humanities, via seminars, hands-on workshops, and field trips.

Mensa

Fine resources for parents and teachers of gifted students. The recommended reading section for parents offers scores of suggestions on acceleration, differentiation, creativity, teens, emotional issues, and other pertinent topics.

Mensa for Kids

A forum for intellectual exchange. Publishes a free quarterly of student-submitted work, YM² — Young Mensan Magazine. Also, the site has Mind Games® (dozens of games for national competitions), other games, lesson plans, TED news, activities, the Bright! monthly newsletter, and more.

Midwest Talent Search

(Also see Center for Talent Development [its renamed title] above, in the Portals section.)

MOOCs

Several sites offer information on college-level coursework that is free, open, online, and interactive. For students in high school (and sometimes middle school). The term Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) often is used with such studies; otherwise, broad terminology like “open courseware” is used. Among the top listings are Coursera, edX, and Udacity. Others include OnlineCourses.com, Open Education Consortium, MITOpenCourseWare, OpenCourseWare, Class Central, MERLOT II and Open Learning Initiative (OLI). Several universities and colleges offer their own, separate online coursework; do an internet search to find your institution of choice.

NAGC State Affiliates

Official websites of all state gifted education affiliates of the National Association for Gifted Children.

NASSP List of Approved Contests, Programs and Activities for Students

High-level student competitions in nearly all disciplines, for use by principals, teachers, parents, and students. Produced annually by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The list is searchable by name, sponsor, grade levels, and disciplines (from Arts and Business to Media, Medicine, Music, and STEM). An annual downloadable file of more than 55 pages of approved activities is helpful. The NASSP also sponsors the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, the National Elementary Honor Society, and the National Student Council.

 

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Nation Deceived, A

(Also see Nation Empowered, A, below.)

Nation Empowered, A

An update on the pivotal A Nation Deceived, this researched-based study dating from 2015 on acceleration is invaluable.

National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)

(Also see National Association for Gifted Children above, in the Portals section.)

National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)

Great resource for helping to identify overlooked, disabled and/or misidentified gifted and talented students. Teachers and parents alike will be rewarded here. Extensive, linked resources.

National Center for Research on Gifted Education (NCRGE)

Monitors and studies programs for gifted and talented students nationwide, to see that such students are served well. Those who are in geographically under-served areas or in various demographic groups that are under-served benefit greatly with NCRGE oversight. Based at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.

National Engineers Week Future City Competition™

(Also see Future City Competition™ [its retitled name] above, in this section.)

National Excellence: A Case for Developing America’s Talent

Landmark report on educating gifted and talented students.

National Geographic Education

National Geographic resources. These are the Bee (see below), maps and geographic materials, lesson plans, geography standards, and other teacher aids.

National Geographic Bee

Thousands of schools annually participate in the National Geographic Bee, using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to inspire students to be curious about the world. Schools with students in grades 4-8 are eligible for this competition. Each state Bee is listed here.

National History Club (NHC)

This non-profit organization inspires students and teachers to start History Club chapters at high schools, middle schools, and within other student and community programs. Members of local chapters participate in local and national programs, and create their own projects and activities. The NHC also provides chapters with resources and services that will help them increase the activity and impact of their History Club.

National Society for the Gifted & Talented (NSGT)

The mission of NSGT is to advance the development of gifted, talented, and high-potential youth through opportunities, advocacy, and exemplary programs and practices. Their blog is wide-ranging and informative.

Neag Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development

Dedicated to research on giftedness, with downloadable newsletters for teachers, parents, and others. The mission is to conduct research that is theory-driven, problem-based, practice-relevant, and consumer-oriented. The mission includes the formation of a community of scholars in the field, as well as information dissemination that targets practitioners, parents, researchers, and others. Among the leaders are Dr. Joseph S. Renzulli and Dr. Sally M. Reis. Part of the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. (Also see LPI Learning and Renzulli Learning.)

Northwestern University Center for Talent Development

(Also see Center for Talent Development above, in the Portals section.)

NSGT (National Society for the Gifted & Talented)

A not-for-profit organization created to honor and nurture gifted and talented children and youth. The blog by Barbara Swicord, Ed.D. is beneficial and comprehensive.

Odyssey of the Mind®

International educational program with problem-solving opportunities for students in four divisions, from kindergarten to college. Emphasis on creativity. Thousands of U.S. teams, and teams from many other nations. Annual four-day World Finals.

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Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC)

Official site of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. An encyclopedia of information, hyperlinks, resources, advocacy, Summer Opportunities, legislative reportage, and more. (See the Portals listing above, for much more.)

Ohio Association of IB World Schools (OAIB)

Official International Baccalaureate programs for Ohio students ages 3-19. Member schools are listed by region of Ohio. The primary IB site is here.

Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE)

The law, civics, and social studies are the foundation of this education program. The Ohio Mock Trial, We the People, and Youth for Justice are among the student proceedings. Every autumn sees a professional development event, the Law and Citizenship Conference. This is for teachers of government, civics, law, and related disciplines to learn about innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, and programs that engage students in hands-on learning.

Ohio Department of Education (Primary website)

Ohio Department of Education (Gifted education)

Information on acceleration, identification, service, and legislative guidelines. See official Ohio Department of Education-approved information on assessment of gifted students here; the latest full chart download is here. See here for performing and visual arts identification and accompanying handbooks.

Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA)

The focus is on standards-based language study, with a global sensibility. Scholarships, professional development for teachers, awards, workshops, publications, and other features mark this site.

Ohio Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP Ohio)

The Future Problem Solving Program for Ohio. Via creative problem-solving, the FPSP program develops critical-thinking skills in students as it encourages them to develop a vision for the future. FPSP features curricular and co-curricular competitive — as well as non-competitive — activities. Participants range in age from 8 to 18. Some programs offer non-team competition.

Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)

Extensive Ohio public library materials for all.

Ohio Leadership Institute

The focus is on leadership development, with numerous programs for students in grades 2-12. Ohio Leadership Training Camp (OhioLTC) and Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) are among the programs. Some are summer and residential. Professional development workshops are for teachers and administrators.

Ohio Supercomputer Center Summer Institute

This two-week residential program gives gifted Ohio students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year project-based, hands-on learning. The focus is on collaborative supercomputer usage. Tailored for students proficient in math, science, computers, and/or engineering.

Ohio Technology Consortium

Technology issues are key to this site. Sections: eStudent Services (designed to improve student access to higher education through e-learning and technology-enhanced education); OhioLINK (Ohio’s Academic Library Consortium); OARnet (provides broadband connectivity to Ohio’s K-12 schools through a partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and its information technology centers and to public schools in large urban areas).

Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA)

Online K-12 education alternatives. Tuition-free public charter school with high academic standards, rigorous instruction, extensive computer employment.

Online Tutoring

Even the best of students sometimes need help, and this site gives an extensive overview of online tutoring — guidelines, expectations, technology suggestions, local help, learning disabilities, and much more. Fifteen top-rated resources are listed and linked.

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Open Courseware

Several sites offer information on college-level coursework that is free, open, online, and interactive. For students in high school (and sometimes middle school). The term Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) often is used with such studies; otherwise, broad terminology like “open courseware” is used. Among the top listings are Coursera, edX, and Udacity. Others include OnlineCourses.com, Open Education Consortium, MITOpenCourseWare, OpenCourseWare, Class Central, MERLOT II and Open Learning Initiative (OLI). Several universities and colleges offer their own, separate online coursework; do an internet search to find your institution of choice.

OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network)

The Ohio Public Library Information Network provides information services to Ohio public libraries and ensures all Ohio residents that they will have free public internet access through the numerous local public library systems in the state. Bottom line: Across Ohio, all teachers, students, and others will have access to a full range of materials in public libraries.

Parents of Gifted Children - West Central Ohio

As the name suggests, parents of students in gifted education in west-central Ohio can find support here.

Peter’s Online Typing Course

Free online typing lessons and typing/keyboarding exercises for beginning typists and others who want to master this essential of digital life, or to move from two-finger typing to standard touch-typing.

Pixar in a Box

Film animation gets its due here, with information for students and teachers alike. This partnership between Disney’s Pixar Animation Studios and Khan Academy covers everything from lesson guides and the art of animation to modeling, sets, and staging, with instruction from Pixar artists.

Planet Smarty Pants

An exemplary blog that encourages enthusiastic thinkers through literature, science, art, and more. Book recommendations are especially strong.

Pogrow, Stanley

(Also see Higher Order Thinking Skills above, in this section.)

ProProfs Brain Games

Games for the brain and intellect. Lots of word games. Users also can create games like crosswords, scrambles, and others.

Renzulli, Joseph S., Dr.

(Also see Neag Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development above, in this section. Also see LPI Learning and Renzulli Learning.)

Scholarship Search Platforms

Students in gifted education typically go on to college, and this site provides an overview of more than 16 linked databases for seeking out scholarship opportunities. Listings include Fastweb!, Cappex, and UNIGO, among others.

SearchERIC.org

Massive database of more than a million education articles, via the U.S. Department of Education. Searchable by title, author, and key word(s). Database also is accessible here.

SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)

Seeks to inform the public of the social and emotional needs of the gifted, and to support programs that foster positive awareness.

Share My Lesson

With nearly a million members, this free site for sharing and using lessons lets you search by subject, state standards, and more. Pre-school through high school. Hundreds of choices result from a search of “gifted education.” Sections on professional development and collections expand horizons.

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Silverman, Linda, Dr.

(Also see Gifted Development Center above, in this section.)

Social Media

Many websites pertaining to gifted education also share information via blogs, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and other social media outreach. Be sure to check these resources, too, as you visit each site. Numerous social networking links around the world and in many states can be found here. The list of advocacy and other blogs is especially robust.

Special Ed Advocate

Information on tests, measurements. Legal insights on education rights and service, especially regarding special education. Extensive resources on advocacy, via Advocacy Library and Law Library. See here for Ohio’s officially approved instruments for identification and screening of gifted students.

Special Education Resources on the Internet

Categorized information on autism, ADHD, Aspergers, vision impairment, assessments, therapy, schools, programs, and many other groupings, to assist young people with special needs.

Stanford Online High School

Open to all gifted students in grades 7-12, everywhere. Multiple summer offerings. Various enrollment options. The online tour is edifying.

Stanley Pogrow

(Also see Higher Order Thinking Skills above, in this section.)

State NAGC Affiliates

Official websites of all state gifted education affiliates of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)

Gifted and talented academic summer camps for ages 5-17, at colleges and universities across the United States. Daylong, online, and residential options (some are for ages 9-17).

Summer Opportunities (OAGC)

(Also see OAGC above, in the Portals section, for the latest list. Other major or portal sites also may have site-sections on summer activities. Also check with nearby universities, colleges, nature centers, zoos, museums, historic entities, and other locales for summer K-12 programs, camps, activities, workshops, institutes, and more; some my be residential, too.)

Summer Scholars Program (Miami [Ohio] University)

A multiweek summer residential program of university courses and seminars. Open to all in their junior or senior years of high school, among other requirements for the pre-college coursework and activities. Participants typically choose two courses from more than 20 college departments, and earn 6 or 8 credit-hours.

Super Saturday Program, The

Acceleration and enrichment classes are held on the University of Cincinnati campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. Classes include science, creative writing, Shakespeare, engineering, theater arts, music, mythology, chess, Latino life, multimedia art, scrapbooking, French, chemistry, CSI, computer-aided design, medieval life, card-making, animals, and newspaper life. Teacher opportunities, as well.

Sylvia Rimm, Dr.

Psychologist, speaker, and columnist on achievement. Author of See Jane Win, a report on girls becoming successful women. Ebooks and print books, as well as TV and speaking appearances, enhance the outreach of this spokesperson for gifted children.

TAG (The Association for the Gifted)

Advocacy for children and youth with gifts, talents, and/or high potential. TAG is a division of The Council for Exceptional Children.

TAG (Families of the Talented and Gifted)

Support for gifted education through mailing lists, TAGFAM (for those with children in traditional schools), TAGMAX (for homeschoolers), and TAGPDQ (for families needing radical educational and social accommodations for their children).

TeachersFirst

Lessons, units, classroom-ready content, and more — this repository of K-12 resources is a collection of original content, internet resources, lesson plans, and tools drawn from teaching professionals around the world. Searchable by keyword, phrase, subject, grade level, holidays, and dates. Materials are especially suited to differentiated instruction. Parents and students, too, will find challenging, motivating resources to augment the classroom. Puzzles and brain-teasers are a bonus.

TeacherTube

Videos, documents, audios, photos, and many other resources on nearly all academic subjects for teachers. For gifted education topics, look here.

teachfine on gifted and ed tech

An array of articles on all facets of giftedness. For parents, teachers, and others who nurture the gifted child.

Tolan, Stephanie S.

(Also see Stephanie S. Tolan below, in the Publishing-Writing-Reading section.)

Tomlinson, Carol, Dr.

Differentiating instruction gets its due with educator and researcher Tomlinson. She has authored more than a dozen books on differentiation.

2E Twice-Exceptional Newsletter

For those educators, parents, and others who interact with high-ability children with learning issues, such as AD/HD, dyslexia, Asperger’s, and so forth. News, events, and resources are abundant. The blog is helpful.

Udacity

(Also see MOOCs above, in this section.)

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Ultimate Puzzle Site

Mathematics and non-mathematics brain-teasers, puzzles, tests, riddles, and more. Difficulty levels range from basic to advanced. Twelve categories in all. Many are interactive. Lots of fun here!

Uniquely Gifted

Resources for children with special needs, including ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, Asperger Syndrome (also called Aspergers or Asperger’s), autism, dyslexia, and hearing impairment. Extensive bibliography for parents and professionals, with recommendation categories of General Information/Overviews, Treatment/Medication, In the Classroom, Special Education Law/Advocacy, Homeschooling, Specific Special Needs, Temperament/Personality, Teenagers, Social Skills/Bullying/Life Skills, College/Career, Autobiography/Biography, Magazines/Newsletters, and others. Books about special needs written for young people and books, for children and adults alike, with special-needs characters are especially pertinent.

United States Academic Decathlon® (USAD)

Learning and academic excellence through 10-event team competition for students in high school. New topic each year. The five-event Pentathlon competition for students in middle school focuses on these areas: Literature, Mathematics, Fine Arts, Science, and Social Science. Pentathlon information is here.

United States Senate Youth Program, The

Established in 1962 by the U.S. Senate, the program offers a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.

Visual and Performing Arts Identification (Ohio)

Handbooks with procedures for identifying students in Ohio schools who are gifted in visual and performing arts. Arts specialists, gifted coordinators and all personnel who develop district identification procedures and are involved in the screening and identification of gifted children should read the four downloadable handbooks listed on the main page.

Verywell Gifted Kids

Comprehensive site on topics like diversity, testing, family life, education options, activities and projects, and others.

Warren, Sandra

(Also see ArlieBooks.com below, in the Publishing-Writing-Reading section.)

Wikipedia Gifted Education

Extensive overview on all facets of giftedness. Global views on implementation in specific countries are insightful. Solid historical background on gifted education.

William & Mary Center for Gifted Education (College of William and Mary)

A primary goal: To provide graduate education programs and opportunities for people interested in teaching gifted students and assuming administrative and leadership positions in the field of gifted education. Curriculum focus. Precollegiate programs.

World Council for Gifted and Talented Children

The mission is to focus world attention on gifted and talented children and ensure the realization of their potential to the benefit of humankind. Hyperlinked resources, including state, national, and international organizations. Based at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

WorldCat

WorldCat is the world’s largest network of library content and services. Books, articles, film, and music are included in the listings from thousands of libraries. Search for almost any information on any topic. Available apps for iPhones and Android devices improve mobile search opportunities.

Wright State University Pre-College Programs

Academic-year and summer-enrichment programs for K-12 pre-college students at this Dayton, Ohio, university. STEM programs. Some residential programs. Weeklong institutes for students entering grades 10-12 focus on Advanced Web Design, College Test Prep, Engineering, Food Science: STEM, Forensic Science, Law and Government, Performance Theatre, Take Action: Leadership, and Social Work 101.

Wrightslaw

Information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. Thousands of articles, cases, and free resources on dozens of special education topics. For parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys.

YouTube Gifted and Talented Education

This ever-expanding site is packed with dozens of videos on all aspects of giftedness.

Zoom In!

Their motto is “Empowering students to think deeply and write critically about pivotal moments in U.S. history.”

 

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AAPT K-12 Teacher Portal

The American Association of Physics Teachers offers physics teachers an array of free classroom resources. Professional development, mentoring, lesson plans from The Physics Teacher, and more are linked. Numerous resources for students add to the value of the site. The annual PhysicsBowl and the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) (see the listings below, in this section) are among them.

AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program)

The U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program is science-centered, with STEM programs, apprenticeships, and competitions among the assets for students.

Amazing Space

Education resources based on the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. Sections for educators, homework help, STEM projects, and resources on a range of topics. These include gravity, measurement, history of science, space telescopes, and more.

American Association of Physics Teachers

Dedicated to the dissemination of knowledge of physics, particularly by way of teaching, this site has materials for K-12 teachers and others. The teacher portal is here, and it includes lesson plans, webinars, and more.

American Mathematical Society

Summer math camps and programs most are residential for pre-college students.

American Mathematics Competitions (The Mathematical Association of America)

A series of national contests to identify, recognize, and reward excellence in mathematics, thus strengthening the mathematical capabilities of U.S. students. Sample problems, resources, recommended reading. (Also see International Mathematical Olympiad below, in this section.)

Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)

Thousands of math resources, videos, messaging, free online learning, tools for teachers, and much more, for grades 5-12. The WOOT (Worldwide Online Olympiad Training) program is a fee-based seven-month high-school math Olympiad preparation and testing program that brings together students from around the world to learn Olympiad problem-solving skills. Grades 2-5 can enjoy similar opportunities at the companion Beast Academy. A training academy offers further benefits for math and language arts enthusiasts alike.

ASM Materials Education Foundation

The ASM Materials Education Foundation provides for the advancement of scientific and engineering knowledge through its support of education and research. STEM-based materials for educators and students alike. Camps and professional development are among the features. Information for teachers is here. Students will find more here.

AstronomyCenter.org

A collection of digital resources for teachers and students. Topics are browsable and include cosmology, fundamentals, astronomy education, the Milky Way, historical astronomy, space exploration, galaxies, exoplanets, cosmic time and distance, stars, and the sun, with extensive links. Similarly browsable are sections on pedagogy, student resources, labs, simulations, projects, and images.

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Science demonstrations are the hallmark of Bill Nye. His Educational Resources blog offers dozens of downloadable .pdf experiments and Episode Guides (the latter are on Humans, Physics, Living Things, Space Science, Chemistry, and Earth Science). His many YouTube videos are here.

Biology Concepts

Animals, plants, DNA, cells, and on and on in the living world. Comprehensive and admirably presented with logical hyperlinking.

Biology Corner, The

The Biology Corner is a resource site for biology and science teachers and students. It contains a variety of lessons, quizzes, labs, and information on science topics for all levels, including introductory life science and advanced placement biology. You can find lessons related to biology topics, too.

BrainBashers

Thousands of brain-teasers, puzzles, riddles, games, and optical illusions. Updated weekly.

Broadcom MASTERS

Covering Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars, this is the premier science and engineering competition for middle-school students.

California State University OpenCourseWare

(Also see MOOCs above, in the General section.)

Canada/USA Mathcamp

International five-week summer residential camp for gifted junior- and senior-high mathematics students, ages 13-18. Rich mathematics hyperlinks for students and teachers alike. Academic details are here.

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Center for Excellence in Education

This not-for-profit corporation nurtures leadership in science, technology, and mathematics. This is effected via cost-free programs for academically talented high-school students, in collaboration with academia, private foundations, corporations, and government agencies that share a commitment to education excellence. Three major programs are the Research Science Institute (RSI), Teacher Enrichment Program (TEP) (for teachers in a few select states), and the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO). USABO offers a Teacher Resource Center for program guidance.

Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing, The (University of Waterloo)

The Centre aims to increase enjoyment, confidence, and ability in mathematics and computer science among students and teachers. Through contests, workshops, online resources, and publications, the CEMC provides curricular and enrichment support to elementary and secondary schools.

College-NOW

Engineering and bioscience programs for high school juniors, in partnership with North Central State College, Mansfield, Ohio. Students can graduate with their high-school diploma and an associate degree. Residential.

ComPADRE Digital Library

This network of free online resource collections supports faculty, students, and teachers in physics and astronomy education. The Physics Front section addresses the needs of physics teachers. Resources for new physics teachers are here.

Connectory, The

The Connectory was developed so parents and other caregivers could find local STEM education opportunities for children in their lives. It was also created with program-providers in mind, providing the means for discovering new partners, as well as ways to showcase the STEM opportunities that providers are offering for youth.

Coolmath

Extensive, fun site for all things mathematics, science. Specific subsections for Teachers, Parents, and Students, as well as subsections on games (here and here), are rewarding.

Decoding Cancer

Dedicated to understanding the science of cancer. Standards-aligned materials are for students in high school. Several downloadable lesson plans and companion teacher guides are available here.

Discovery Education

A range of resources — from STEM to clip art — from the cable network. Tremendous number of free resources for teachers, parents, and K-12 students. Teachers will benefit from resources like professional development and lesson plans. Math resources are especially robust.

Discovery Park (Purdue University)

Home to Purdue’s interdisciplinary research programs and a place where scientists and students address society’s challenges, such as health, nanotechnology, energy, the environment, and bioscience. General learning opportunity for the gifted student.

eCYBERMISSION

Taking the science fair out of the auditorium and into cyberspace, eCYBERMISSION is a free, STEM-based and -related competition for teams in grades 6 through 9. Each team will propose a solution to a real problem in its community and compete for state, regional, and national awards. Helpful related links are here and here (the latter has links to apprenticeships, scholarships, competitions, and more). Video information is here. Advisor-educator resources are here; a related tutorial is here. Climate, robotics, the environment, alternative energy, forensics, national security, aeronautics, and other sciences are included under the STEM umbrella.

Environmental Education - Students (EPA – U.S. Environmental Agency)

For K-12 students who need access to homework resources to learn about the environment, and for educators who need lesson plans and project ideas to teach about the environment. Similarly, Environmental Education (EE) is a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about environmental issues that enhances knowledge, builds critical thinking skills. Earth Day news is here. Extensive educator lesson plans, teacher guides, and other resources are here (for Spanish, go here).

EOL (Encyclopedia of Life)

The Encyclopedia of Life brings together information about all life on Earth. One web page for each species, with more than 1.9 million total pages. It’s a resource for text, images, video, sounds, maps, classifications, and more, all freely available online. Site is available in 20 languages, including Spanish and French.

EPA Education and EPA Students

For K-12 students and educators who need access to quality homework resources, lesson plans, and project ideas to learn and teach about the environment. Environmental education is a multi-disciplinary approach to learning about environmental issues that enhances knowledge, builds critical thinking skills, and helps students make informed and responsible decisions.

Exploratorium

An interactive science museum with thousands of Web pages exploring hundreds of different topics. Museum exhibits and scientific phenomena — including images, educational activities, PDFs, video and audio files — are available. Further, a wealth of apps, blogs, videos, and activities illustrate the extent of this repository. Tools for teachers round out the offerings.

ExploraVision

ExploraVision is a national K-12 science competition with a strong emphasis on STEM coursework and future-world problem-solving. Sponsored by Toshiba and NSTS (National Science Teachers Association). Information is available for students, teachers, and parents alike.

FIRST Inspires

Umbrella site for FIRST LEGO (ages 9-14) (see listing below); FIRST LEGO Jr. (ages 6-9); FIRST TECH Challenge (middle school-high school); and FIRST Robotics Competition (middle school-high school) team activities and competitions. All sections are listed and linked in the drop-down menu via the Programs tab. Science reigns in all FIRST competitions. Information on resources is a plus, as are teacher suggestions.

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FIRST LEGO League International

Introduces youth around the world to the fun and experience of solving real-world problems through mathematics, science, and technology.

Free Technology for Teachers

The A-to-Z of tech resources for teachers. More than 400 tutorial videos (including more than 100 Google Apps videos), are available. Great information on timely events, such as Earth Day, supplement knowledge.

Future City Competition™

The mission is to provide an exciting engineering program for 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students that combines an educational challenge with hands-on learning, all for their vision of a city of the future. Sections for educators, students, parents, and mentors provide details.

Girls Who Code

Dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. Learn computer science through real-world projects in art and storytelling, robotics, video games, websites, apps, and more. After-school clubs for girls in grades 6-12. Summer Immersion Programs are for girls currently in grades 10-11.

Glencoe Online Mathematics Links

Algebra, fractals, statistics, teacher support, history of math, and more. All-math links.

GLOBE Program, The (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment)

Worldwide, hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program, primarily on atmosphere, hydrology, soils, and land cover/phenology, along with data measurement and reportage. Teacher guides, protocols, resources, activities, standards, assessment tools. Extensive hyperlinks and information on Earth Day, the environment, scientific instruments.

Google Science Fair

The Google Science Fair is an online science and engineering competition open to students age 13-18 from around the globe. It encourages them to change the world through scientific inquiry and problem-solving. They’ll learn about their chosen topic and develop key skills along the way. Sections on the competition, teachers and mentors, and more.

Grey Labyrinth, The

Challenging fun with puzzles.

HeyMath!

Implemented at several progressive schools in Singapore and India, this pedagogy for grades 3-12 blends the teaching and assessment practices of these two world-class academic systems. Subscription fee model for grouped grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and for Algebra I and II.

Hour of Code

The Hour of Code helps K-12 students learn the basics of computer science and broaden participation in the field. All types of coding activities are available. Teacher resources are here. Tutorials work on all devices and browsers. All curriculum resources and tutorials are free to use and openly licensed under a Creative Commons license. Hour of Code activities, with a tutorial, are here. A massive array of student projects are here.

Howtosmile

A collection of free educational materials, learning tools, and services for students, especially those in STEM environments. More than 3,500 science and math activities. Curated topics include ocean literacy, climate, life sciences, math, chemistry, life sciences, and health and the human body.

Hubblesite

All things related to NASA’s Hubble exploration. Resources, blogs, videos, images, education and museums, discoveries, the latest news from space.

HyperMath

Fundamental mathematics principles and applications, with a collection of examples of applied mathematics with hyperlinks to their applications to problems in physics and astronomy. Disciplines include algebra, linear algebra, trigonometry, vectors, geometry, calculus, logarithms, and others.

HyperPhysics

The world of physics, essentially an exploration environment for concepts that employs concept maps and other hyperlinking strategies, generating literally thousands of hyperlinks. Companion site to HyperMath, above.

IMACS (Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science)

Programs are designed to enhance the development of critical thinking, logic, and reasoning skills, with an emphasis on math, computer science, engineering, and related disciplines. Vehicles include distance (online) education, homeschooling, and summer sessions, among others. For students in grades 1-12. (Program formerly called eIMACS.)

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Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

(See Student Science below, in this section [Intel no longer sponsors the event].)

International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)

International high-school mathematics competition, with a world championship held annually. Students from more than 100 countries participate.

International Telementor Program

(Also see Mentored Pathways below, in this section.)

Invention League (Formerly Invention Convention)

Math, science, STEM, engineering, and similar K-8 disciplines are at the heart of this site. Resources are for students, parents, and teachers. Some outreach is via partnership with Math Plus Academy.

JASON Learning

This independent nonprofit provides curriculum and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for K-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. Award-winning curricula place students in challenging, real-world situations where they are connected with and mentored by leading STEM professionals.

Kids Math Games

A ton of free interactive games, puzzles, quizzes, classroom activities, printable worksheets, videos, and more for those wishing to master math skills. Geometry, logic, money, fractions, money, Sudoku, memory games, checkers, and other math interests are detailed. Teachers, parents, young students, and preschoolers will find worthwhile opportunities and enjoyment here.

Khan Academy

(Also see Khan Academy above, in the General section.)

Math Archives

Strong in teacher materials. Enormous searchable database on all mathematics topics.

Math Forum, The (Drexel University)

Extensive resources for teachers, mathematicians, researchers, students, and parents to learn mathematics and improve mathematics education. Problems and puzzles; online mentoring; research; team problem-solving; collaborations; and professional development.

Math League, The

Dedicated to bringing challenging mathematics materials to students, grades 3-12. Mathematics contests, books, and computer software designed to stimulate interest and confidence in mathematics. International in scope.

Math Olympiads

The goal is to promote mathematics concepts, education, and enthusiasm through creative problem-solving competitions throughout the school year in grades 4-8.

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Mathcamp

(Also see Canada/USA Mathcamp above, in this section.)

MATHCOUNTS®

A national middle-school mathematics enrichment, coaching, and competition program. Participating schools select students to compete in one of several written and oral competitions held nationwide and in U.S. schools abroad. Top participants proceed to state and national competitions.

Mathematical Association of America (MAC)

(Also see American Mathematics Competitions above, in this section.)

Mathematical Olympiad, International (IMO)

(Also see International Mathematical Olympiad above, in this section.)

Mathematics Pentathlon®

A program for K-7 students of interactive, problem-solving games, supportive curricular and instructional activities, and evaluation and assessment instruments, to provide a motivational format for developing mathematics concepts and skills and strengthening strategic thinking and problem-solving. A feature of the STEM-aligned program is the linkage of arithmetic reasoning with geometric/spatial and logical/scientific thinking.

Maths Is Good For You

Subtitled “History of mathematics for young people,” this British site — the “Maths” part of the name is a clue — offers courses, lesson plans, timelines, famous math theorems, math concepts, numerals, logic, trigonometry, geometry, topology, historic math (Egypt, Babylon, et al.), and much more. For students 11 to 18 years old.

MathWorld™ (Wolfram MathWorld)

From algebra and geometry to topology and number theory, this comprehensive, interactive, and encyclopedic mathematics site is for students, educators, and others.

Mentored Pathways

Academic, electronic mentoring support from technology, science professionals. Project-focused and facilitated by teachers and parents. For K-12, homeschool, and university students.

MITOpenCourseWare

Very deep listing of science, technology, aerospace, physics, nuclear, and related (and other) courses. (Also see MOOCs above, in the General section.)

Molecular Expressions™

Optics and microscopy, including digital imaging, with photograph galleries that explore the fascinating world of optical microscopy. Hyperlinked information is rich and varied, as with an extensive bibliography and the latest edition of Mortimer Abramowitz’s renowned, 50-page, full-color introduction to optical microscopy, which covers all of the basic concepts.

NASA Beginner's Guide to Rockets

Everything about rockets, with authority. Classroom activities are here. An index on the topic of rockets is here.

NASA Education

Science and astronautics for grades K-12. Superb educator resources. Subsections for students, NASA Kids' Club, educators (several sections), and more. The Topics and Missions sections have scores of alphabetized listings, as with the International Space Station, Apollo missions, Mars, Pulsars, Robotics, Cassini, New Horizons, and Voyager.

NASA Space Place

NASA offers a wide range of free online tools, games, crafts, media, and other resources for teachers, young students, parents, and others. Topics include our solar system and universe.

NASSP List of Approved Contests, Programs and Activities for Students

High-level student competitions in nearly all disciplines, for use by principals, teachers, parents, and students. Produced annually by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). An annual downloadable file of more than 55 pages of approved activities is helpful. The NASSP also sponsors the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, the National Elementary Honor Society, and the National Student Council.

 

National Association of Rocketry

The NAR is the oldest and largest spacemodeling (rocketry) organization in the world, with more than 165 affiliated clubs across the United States. A multitude of free, downloadable resources (education and others) make this a go-to site.

National Engineers Week Future City Competition™

The mission is to provide an exciting engineering program for 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students that combines an educational challenge with hands-on learning, all for their vision of a city of the future. Sections for educators, students, parents, and mentors provide details.

National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP)

The vision of the NGCP is to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The blog and other sections discuss challenges for girls in STEM education.

National Honor Society National Junior Honor Society National Elementary Honor Society

The NHS recognizes and salutes students who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The NHS is for those in high school. The NJHS is for students in middle school, and the NEHS is for students in elementary school.

National Informal STEM Education Network

The National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) is a community of informal educators and scientists dedicated to supporting learning and disseminating information about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) across the United States. Programs, activities, and more are offered. Professional development tools, guides, workshops, and training materials are thorough. Whatisnano.org is a companion site dedicated to all things nano; resources for K-12 teachers are fine.

 

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National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics addresses the needs of pre-K-12 math students who have a full range of disabilities.

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

For educators, students, and families, this official site of the U.S. Air Force is packed with free STEM-related activities, displays, and more. Lesson plans, resource lists, and reading lists are excellent. Audiovisual resources are free, as well, with no postal fees, either, for school, civic, youth, and other borrowers. An immersive 80- by 60-foot screen in the on-site 3D theater showcases films on flight, space, and similar topics. Free visitor parking and bus accommodation.

National Security Agency - Central Security Service

Dedicated to cybersecurity, the NSA-CSS website has sections for students and educators alike. For enjoyment with puzzles, go here and here.

Natural Math®

Mathematics can be compelling and informative for even the youngest students. Program creator Maria Droujkova helps others learn by focusing on advanced, deep, and personally meaningful mathematics. Sections on courses, books, a newsletter, and more add value.

Nick’s Mathematical Puzzles

Ingenious mathematics teasers that range over geometry, probability, number theory, algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and logic. Puzzles are ranked according to their level of difficulty. Outstanding links to math websites.

NISE (National Informal STEM Education Network)

The National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Net) is a community of informal educators and scientists dedicated to supporting learning and disseminating information about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) across the United States. Programs, activities, and more are offered. Professional development tools, guides, workshops, and training materials are thorough. Whatisnano.org is a companion site dedicated to all things nano; resources for K-12 teachers are fine.

Noetic Learning

Dedicated to bringing high-quality mathematics learning materials to students, parents, and educators. Standards-based supplemental resources. Contest for students in grades 2-8. Summer learning with the LeapAhead! program, free problem-solving videos, and more. A section to create worksheets is valuable and covers pre-algebra, money, fractions, geometry, percentages, and many others (more than 20; many are free). Good discussion on Facebook.

Nye, Bill the Science Guy

Science demonstrations are the hallmark of Bill Nye. His Educational Resources blog offers dozens of downloadable .pdf experiments and Episode Guides (the latter are on Humans, Physics, Living Things, Space Science, Chemistry, and Earth Science). His many YouTube videos are here.

Ohio Science Olympiad

As one of the state’s top science competitions, Ohio Science Olympiad allows students in grades 6-12 to demonstrate their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The goal is to improve awareness in science, foster teamwork, and encourage problem-solving tactics. More than 45 hands-on STEM events are in tournament competitions. Registration information, as well as information for coaches, parents, students, and others, is linked from the main page.

Ohio Supercomputer Center Summer Institute

This two-week residential program gives gifted Ohio students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year project-based, hands-on learning. The focus is on collaborative supercomputer usage. Tailored for students proficient in math, science, computers, and/or engineering.

Ohio Technology Consortium

Technology issues are key to this site. Sections: eStudent Services (designed to improve student access to higher education through e-learning and technology-enhanced education); OhioLINK (Ohio’s Academic Library Consortium); OARnet (provides broadband connectivity to Ohio’s K-12 schools through a partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and its information technology centers and to public schools in large urban areas).

OpenCourseWare

Thousands of free online courses, on math, science, statistics, technology, and myriad other disciplines. Links to a dozen university providers across the United States and the United Kingdom. (Also see MOOCs above, in the General section.)

Perennial Math

Math competition for students in grades 3-12 is the focus. Among the options are an annual event (for teams, individuals, or homeschoolers), virtual competition, and local school-hosted on-site events around the country. See a collection of Perennial Math videos at YouTube Perennial Math.

Physics Front, The and The Physics Nucleus

For teachers of conceptual physics, Advanced Placement- and calculus-based physics, and algebra-based physics, as well as teachers of Physics First and Physical Science. The materials are for enrichment of the high-school physics experience, although younger students also may be suited to this exposure. Lesson plans, activities, labs, and in-service and other resources are available. Search functions are excellent. K-8 resources are here. Browse among scores of topics, from relativity to mechanics, astronomy, optics, statistics, and others, here.

PhysicsBowl

Schools conduct tests for first- and second-year physics students, with 28 regional groupings across the United States. Printable practice exams from previous competitions are helpful. The FAQs section answers school and teacher questions.

Regeneron Science Talent Search

Also known as Science Talent Search, the focus is on world-class STEM pursuits. For more on this and other science competitions, see Student Science (also listed below).

 

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Research Science Institute

Very select summer science program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). (Also see Center for Excellence in Education above, in this section.)

Ross Mathematics Program

Six-week summer program at The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, for students age 15-18 (with exceptions). The goal of the Ross Program is to instruct and inspire bright students in the art of mathematical thinking.

S.O.S. Mathematics

Mathematics review, from algebra to differential equations, with authoritative materials on more than 2,500 site pages. Hyperlinks to a wealth of mathematics sites, online help, organizations, arithmetic, calculus, algebra, and others are here.

Science Buddies

Hands-on science and science projects for all. Excellent STEM-related resources for teachers. Solid information on science and engineering careers is here. The blog offers everything from the latest news on cyber security to seasonal and holiday projects, food science projects, crowdfunding, NGSS-aligned lesson plans, Teacher Dashboard, and dozens of other intriguing prospects.

Science Kids

A ton of free interactive games, puzzles, quizzes, classroom activities, lesson plans, printable worksheets, videos, and more for those wishing to master science skills. From Animals and Astronomy to Dinosaurs, Metals, Robots, Weather, and dozens of other topics. Teachers, parents, K-6 students, and preschoolers will find worthwhile opportunities and enjoyment here.

Science Olympiad

K-12 science tournaments, local to state to national and international. The mission is to promote and improve student interest in science and to improve the quality of K-12 science education everywhere. Hyperlinks to each participant state’s Olympiad site are here.

SciLinks®

SciLinks is a partnership between textbook publishers and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest organization of science educators in the world. SciLinks-enabled textbooks have reference numbers in margins to augment textbook materials with pertinent internet sites.

Siemens Competition, The

Supports interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Sponsors the annual Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology; the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement examinations, taken in grades 9-11; and teacher and school awards in Advanced Placement.

Siemens STEM Day

For K-12 students in three groupings, the program offers a variety of tools and resources for science classes. Hands-on, problem-solving activities and supporting videos, monthly themes, and a teacher support center. Career STEM videos are a new addition. More than 130 STEM activities are offered. Categories: manufacturing, engineering, math, IT, technology, healthcare, energy, and science. More than 140 activities for educator use in classrooms are a major draw. Part of Discovery Education.

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SpaceWeather.com

For all with a curiosity about weather. Excellent image galleries. Latest information on eclipses and other current weather phenomena. Essential compendium of related links.

STARBASE

From the U.S. Department of Defense, STARBASE focuses on elementary students to motivate them to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Students who live in inner cities or rural locations, who are socio-economically disadvantaged, who have low academic performance, or who have a disability are in the target group. Hands-on instruction and activities are fundamental to mastering academics here.

STEM Resources (NAGC, Wikipedia, others)

The NAGC lists numerous sites to benefit STEM students and others connected to STEM education. An extensive STEM overview, with links, is also at Wikipedia, here. Among the STEM links: U.S. Department of Defense and related military branches, Boy Scouts, National Science Foundation, many others.

STEMUndergrads.science.gov

Subtitled “Your Gateway to Federal Opportunities for Undergraduate Students,” this site is dedicated to all things STEM. It was established to be the primary source for searching Federal resources for undergraduate students and undergraduate programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These opportunities include scholarships and research internships. Of interest primarily to high school students continuing into college-level STEM programs.

Student Science

Science and related disciplines get their due here. Among the programs found here is the former Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. Other features include a range of science presentations for students, and various items for educators. Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering Rising Stars) is the premier science and engineering competition for middle-school students. High school seniors with a strong interest in math and science will be interested in Regeneron Science Talent Search. The latest science news for students is linked here, as well. Allied with Society for Science and the Public, a sponsor of several student competitions.

Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)

The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world’s largest student rocket contest and a key piece of the aerospace and defense industry’s strategy to build a stronger U.S. workforce in STEM disciplines. The contest challenges students in grades 7-12 to design, build, and fly a rocket to safely carry a payload to a specific altitude and back within a set amount of time. The contest’s rules and scoring parameters change every cycle to challenge the students’ ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design. Teams can be sponsored by schools or by nonprofit youth organizations such as Scouts, 4-H, or the Civil Air Patrol. Rules, a handbook, and other print materials are downloadable here, as are registration and consent/release forms.

TeachEngineering

TeachEngineering is a free, searchable digital library collection with standards-based engineering curricula for use by K-12 teachers and engineering faculty to make applied science and math come alive through engineering design. Access more than 1,600 activities, lessons, units, and living labs from links on the main page. Social media links will take you to YouTube, Instagram, blogs, and Facebook resources.

TeacherTube Math

Math videos on myriad concepts. Video-upload contributions are an option. (TeacherTube is similar, but with video, print, audio, and other resources on numerous topics, for teachers, parents, and students.)

Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)

The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and other partners keys on physics and aerospace excellence. The contest challenges students to design, build, and fly a rocket to safely carry a payload to a specific altitude and back within a set amount of time. The contest’s rules and scoring parameters change every cycle to challenge the student ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design.

TechCorps

From coding and robotics to app development and 3-D printing, the key is technology for students in grades 3-12. Many sites are in Ohio, as well as other locales.

Tech Kids Unlimited

Preparing youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other learning and emotional challenges to be the tech leaders of tomorrow, Tech Kids Unlimited is a not-for-profit, technology-based educational organization for youth 7 to 19 with special needs. Created specifically to work with students with IEPs and 504 plans, TKU currently has two program pipelines.

Telementor.org

(Also see Mentored Pathways above, in this section.)

Ultimate Puzzle Site

Mathematics and non-mathematics brain-teasers, puzzles, tests, and riddles. Updated regularly.

USA Biology Olympiad

(Also see Center for Excellence in Education above, in this section.)

Wolfram MathWorld™

From algebra and geometry to topology and number theory, this comprehensive, interactive, and encyclopedic mathematics site is for students, educators, and others.

WPAFB Educational Outreach Office

Science, technology, aviation, and aerospace activities get their due here, for students in grades K-12. The goal is to increase student awareness and excitement in all of these fields. Programs key on STEM, robotics, science fairs, job shadowing, LEGO events, STARBASE, and more. (STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that offers hands-on learning experiences.) Some activities, including field trips, are in partnership with The National Museum of the United States Air Force. Teacher resources and more are available. Student employment and scholarships are an option, as well, at this site based in Dayton, Ohio.

Young Scientist Lab

The mission here is to foster a new generation of scientists who are inspired to improve the world with science. Discovery Education and 3M developed this interactive portal filled with activities and standards-aligned teaching tools, anchored by the award-winning annual Young Scientist Challenge, a video science competition for students in grades 5-8.

 

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Acceleration Institute

The Acceleration Institute is dedicated to the study of curricular acceleration for academically talented children. Visit here to see all the available resources on acceleration: links to state acceleration policies, an annotated bibliography of research articles, stories of acceleration, a PowerPoint presentation on acceleration, and more. The Parents section is here. The Educators section is here. Policymakers, go here. Researchers, go here. The Guidelines for Developing an Academic Acceleration Policy is a free download, here.

ACT (Main site) ACT (Student site)

Official ACT and other assessment information. For students, parents, educators, counselors, and policymakers.

Buros Center for Testing

On the science and practice of testing. Materials on selecting tests.

College Board

(Also see SAT/College Board below.)

ERIC Educational Resources

(Also see ERIC and Educator’s Reference Desk above, in the General section; and Hoagies’ above, in the Portals section.)

ETS Testing

Assessment and testing to improve teaching and learning. For students, teachers, and others. Several tests — from CLEP® and HiSET® to Praxis®, SAT®, and beyond — are listed here. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program measures and evaluates K-12 student achievement.

FairTest, The National Center for Fair & Open Testing

Works to end perceived misuses and flaws of standardized testing and to ensure that evaluation of students, teachers, and schools is fair, open, valid, and educationally beneficial. Included are K-12, NCLB, and college admissions testing, among others.

HMH Assessments (Formerly Riverside Publishing)

Assessment and testing materials from publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Among them are Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests, CogAT, Iowa Assessments, Logramos (Spanish language), Battelle Developmental Inventory, and Woodcock-Johnson® IV, among others.

LD OnLine

Testing, the law, and information on learning disabilities. Searchable database. For parents, teachers, and other professionals. Hyperlinks to resources, bibliographic recommendations.

SAT/College Board

Official Scholastic Aptitude Test site. Wide-ranging, authoritative information for students, parents, and educators. Specific pages: Students, Educators, AP Central, BigFuture (also known generally as College Planning), CLEP, PSAT-NMSQT and PSAT 10.

Test Collection at ETS

A library of more than 25,000 standardized tests and other measurement and assessment devices for teachers and others. Tests are from U.S. publishers and individual test authors, as well as sources in Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. Among the tests: GRE, HiSET, The Praxis Series, TOEFL, and TOEC.

Tests and Measurements for the Parent, Teacher, Advocate, and Attorney (Wrightslaw)

Understanding tests and assessment, with legal insights. Huge number of authoritative resources on all related topics.

 

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ALA

The primary site for the American Library Association.

ALA Recommended Print/Media List (American Library Association)

An informed gamut of recommendations. Topics: Alex Awards, Amazing Audiobooks for Young, Adults, Best Apps for Teaching and Learning, Best Fiction for Young Adults, Best Websites for Teaching and Learning, Best of the Best of the University Presses, The Amelia Bloomer Book List, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Adult Books, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Adult Books for Young Adults, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Media, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Reference Sources, Booklist’s Top of the List, Fabulous Films for Young Adults, Great Graphic Novels for Teens, Great Interactive Software for Kids List (historical), Great Web Sites for Kids, Listen List, Notable Children’s Books, Notable Children’s Recordings, Notable Children’s Videos, Notable Government Documents, Outstanding Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners, Outstanding Reference Sources, Outstanding Academic Titles, Over the Rainbow Project book list, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Rainbow Project Book List, The Reading List, and Teen’s Top Ten.

ALA Youth Media Awards (American Library Association)

The authoritative media honorees. Among them: Alex Awards, May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award, Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Pura Belpré Award, Randolph Caldecott Medal, Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video, Margaret A. Edwards Award, Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent, William C. Morris Debut YA Award, John Newbery Medal, Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production, Michael L. Printz Award, Schneider Family Book Award, Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, Stonewall Book Awards - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award.

ArlieBooks.com

From author Sandra Warren. Gifted education and parenting books and videos. Information and materials for educators, also. Warren’s Grateful Writer blog is here. Find her on Twitter here.

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, children’s literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and others committed to exemplary library service to children, their families, and others who work with children. Annual literary and related awards/medals are Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, Wilder, Carnegie, Batchelder, Belpre, and Seuss, among others. Current and previous winners in all categories are listed via ALSC hyperlinks.

Beyond Intelligence

Authors Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster bring formidable expertise and experience to understanding giftedness. Books, blogs, and other resources address concerns. Parents especially will benefit from a visit here.

Caldecott Medal (Randolph Caldecott Medal)

(Also see ALA Youth Media Awards above, in this section.)

CampOFLA

Camp OFLA is a residential elementary foreign language camp for students in grades 3-8. It was created by the Ohio Foreign Language Association in 2005. Among the languages: Spanish, Russian, French, German, and Japanese. The goal is to learn language in small class settings. Campers practice language skills by cooking, dancing, singing, playing sports, hiking, and making arts and crafts. The camp is in Bellville, Ohio, midway between Cleveland and Columbus.

Concord Review, The (TCR)

The foremost journal in the English-speaking world to publish research papers of high school students. Academic excellence is the goal for students who submit papers for assessment. Submissions average 6,000 words. Students in nearly every state and from more than 40 countries have seen their work published in the Review. A summer program in the Boston, Massachusetts, area is an option. Educators, parents, and others who subscribe to the Review often use it as a guide on exemplary research and writing by students in high school.

Connecting for High Potential

Resources in this journal are for parents, teachers, and others, to provide practical advice to understand one another’s perspective on working with gifted students and fostering their continued growth in educational settings. From the National Association for Gifted Children.

Database of Award-Winning Children’s Literature

Searchable reading list of top children’s literature. Teachers intervening for young readers will find the site invaluable. Anyone may search the list, however. Parameters for searching include genre, age, ethnicity, awards, and historical period, to help locate the desired book(s).

4 D Designs (Formerly Patrick’s Press)

Quiz and reference materials, information on academic competitions. Elementary grades to college level.

Free Spirit Publishing

Academic, social, and emotional components of giftedness receive attention.

FunEnglishGames.com

A ton of free interactive games, puzzles, quizzes, classroom activities, printable worksheets, videos, and more for those wishing to master language skills. Teachers and students will find rewarding experiences here, as will those who are ESL students.

Genius Denied

Seminal book on gifted advocacy. For students, parents, educators, and mentors. A newsletter and additional resources are available. (Also see A Nation Empowered above, in this section, and Davidson Institute for Talent Development above, in the General section.)

Gifted Child Quarterly

Scholarly journal of the National Association for Gifted Children. Topics include giftedness and talent development in the context of the school, the home, and society. Original reviews of literature, quantitative and qualitative research studies written by experts in gifted education, and other articles relating to giftedness. The GCT video blog is far-ranging.

Gifted Child Today

Published quarterly, Gifted Child Today offers timely information about teaching and parenting gifted and talented children. This is a 12-month electronic subscription and includes access to current and back issues. NAGC membership provides this journal.

Gifted Education Commons

Nearly 800 free, downloadable, full-length articles on all facets of gifted education are here. (Some are book-length.) Typical topics include Educating Gifted Students In The Regular Classroom: Efficacy, Attitudes, And Differentiation Of Instruction, by Daniel William Caldwell; Teacher Perspectives Regarding Gifted Diverse Students, by Toni Szymanski, Thomas Shaff; and The Effects Of An Elementary After-School Enrichment Program On Gifted And Talented Students’ Attitudes Toward School, by Madison Nicole Cunningham.

Gifted Education Press

Downloadable articles on all facets of giftedness. Source of the Gifted Education Press Quarterly and books on a range of topics on K-12 giftedness, from advanced differentiation to creative problem-solving. For educators and parents. Some materials are for pre-K use.

Great Potential Press

Broad selection of books on creativity, biography, adolescence, social and emotional needs, legal issues, dual diagnoses, minorities, academic planning, and much more. For parents, teachers, and educators of gifted, talented, and creative children. Downloadable articles on gifted interests.

HMH Assessments (Formerly Riverside Publishing)

Assessment and testing materials from publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Among them are Gates-MacGinitie Reading Tests, CogAT, Iowa Assessments, Logramos (Spanish language), Battelle Developmental Inventory, and Woodcock-Johnson® IV, among others.

Homer Hickam

Bestselling author Hickam and his numerous popular books. He is probably best known for his memoir Rocket Boys, which was adapted into the hit movie October Sky. He also has legions of fans for his Josh Thurlow historical fiction series. His background discussion of his books promotes understanding of them, and his Discussion Questions helps educators and parents gain insights into the works.

Imagine

Bimonthly subscription periodical from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Written for gifted students in grades 7-12. Career profiles, student-written articles about competitions and summer programs, advice for college planning, brain-teasers, college reviews, student creative work, and more. Recent or upcoming issue themes: Politics & International Relations, Logic, Biology, Performing Arts, and Engineering.

Linda Silverman, Dr.

(Also see Gifted Development Center above, in the General section.)

NAGC Publications

Home of several media resources: Gifted Child Quarterly, Parenting for High Potential, Teaching for High Potential, Gifted Child Today, and Connecting for High Potential. (Some are subscription or membership models.)

Nanooze

Nanooze is a magazine that created to get young people excited about science, and especially nanotechnology, the science of really small things. Free downloads of the magazine are here. A glossary of terms is helpful, as is the blog.

Nation Empowered, A

An update on the pivotal A Nation Deceived, this researched-based study dating from 2015 on acceleration is invaluable.

National Spelling Bee

The nation’s largest and longest-running educational promotion, administered as a not-for-profit by The E.W. Scripps Company and local spelling bee sponsors across the United States and elsewhere, as well as Amazon Kindle. Resources are for teachers and parents and students. Test spelling skills here. View the blog for news on words and related happenings. The list of source books for the 450 words for the next competition is here. Video resources on YouTube are here.

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Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)

(Also see ALA Youth Media Awards above, in this section.)

NewPages Young Authors Guide

A site where young writers can find print and online literary magazines to read, places to publish their own works, and legitimate contests. Some publish only young writers, some publish all ages for young readers. For specific submission guidelines, visit each publication’s linked website; huge, inspiring list for young writers and their teachers and parents.

NJCL (National Junior Classical League)

The NJCL encourages an interest in and an appreciation of the language, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome. In addition to competitions at local and state conferences, as well as the group’s annual convention, the site lists a multitude of other competitions and numerous test examinations.

Parenting for High Potential

Quarterly magazine designed for parents who want to make a difference in their children’s lives, who want to develop their children’s gifts and talents, and who want to help them develop their potential to the fullest. From the National Association for Gifted Children.

Pieces of Learning

Expertise in differentiated instruction, standards-based teaching activities, assessment, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and raising student achievement. Publisher of supplemental activity books to improve student cognitive functioning, to encourage language arts creativity, to promote mathematics and science critical thinking, and to provide social studies enrichment, among others. Teacher resource books are on differentiation, assessment, motivation, and teaching strategies, among others. Continuing staff development is of primary interest.

Power of the Pen

This is one of Ohio’s largest educational enhancement programs, serving middle-school students across the state. Creative writing gets its due here, with annual competition in Power of the Pen interscholastic writing tournaments. Further, students benefit from Power of the Pen instructional methodologies in the classroom.

Prufrock Press

A resonant array of more than 190 books on giftedness, for teaching and parenting gifted children. Specialties are Gifted Education, Advanced Learning, Twice-Exceptional Learners, and Special Needs Students. Subsections are for the classroom, parents, and professional development. Twenty books are on differentiating classroom curriculum strategies and instruction. Other category titles: history, math, young adult, parenting, science, social studies, philosophy, and other interests. The Prufrock Press blog is fresh, with newsletter and podcast options.

ReadWriteThink

This site provides educators, parents, and after-school professionals with access to the high-quality practices in K-12 reading and language arts instruction. A fine array of classroom, parent, video, and other resources. Printable assessment sheets are solid.

Rimm, Dr. Silvia

(Also see Sylvia Rimm, Dr. above, in the General section.)

Royal Fireworks Press

Publisher for the gifted and talented community. Recommendations for novels on giftedness and books about gifted women and girls (some of the books are on historical figures). The site search function includes author, title, subject, series, age, and more. Links to the Apple iTunes store let you choose iBooks from many of the authors.

Sandra Warren

(Also see ArlieBooks.com above, in this section.) Her Grateful Writer blog is here. Find her on Twitter here.

Scripps National Spelling Bee

The nation’s largest and longest-running educational promotion, administered as a not-for-profit by The E.W. Scripps Company and local spelling bee sponsors across the United States and elsewhere, as well as Amazon Kindle. Resources are for teachers and parents and students. Test spelling skills here. View the blog for news on words and related happenings. The list of source books for the 450 words for the next competition is here. Video resources on YouTube are here.

Silverman, Dr. Linda

(Also see Gifted Development Center above, in the General section.)

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Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7-12. Galleries of winners are a plus. The FAQs section is a good starting point. More than 30 art and writing categories should meet the interests of all.

Scholastic - Books & Reading

Books, book lists, parent guides, blog posts, activities. Here are resources to help promote reading, books, and the language arts with gifted children. Groupings are by age and resource type.

Stephanie S. Tolan

North Carolina author of novels, plays, and articles on giftedness. Newbery Medal recognition in 2003 was for Surviving the Applewhites.

Stone Soup

Story, art, and poetry submissions by students ages 8 to 13. Resources for teachers, too, from this not-for-profit group. The blog adds to understanding. Great news: Free .pdf downloads of all issues going back to January/February 2000, are in the archives. View the current issue online, via the Current Issue tab on the main page, here.

StoriesWithHoles.com

From Nathan Levy, a longtime educator and consultant on gifted education. Critical thinking, writing, logic, and hands-on activities for youth. Beyond the 20-volume Holes set, book topics are mathematics, geography, sculpture, writing, multiculturalism, science, brain games, art, genealogy, poetry, and many others. Discovery and enjoyment are central to the student books. Other titles are for teachers.

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Sylvia Rimm, Dr.

(Also see Sylvia Rimm, Dr. above, in the General section.)

Teaching for High Potential

Each issue of this NAGC journal is filled with practical guidance and classroom-based materials for educators striving to understand and challenge their high-potential students. Access included with NAGC membership. From the National Association for Gifted Children.

Teen Ink

This magazine’s role is to listen and to provide a forum in which teens can express themselves through poetry, essays, stories, reviews, art, and photography. Workshops and forums are all-embracing. The nationwide Teen Ink Summer Program and Camp Guide for Teens directory is impressive.

Tin Man Press

This publisher of teaching materials originates and publishes thinking-skills materials for the elementary grades. Books, activity books, and card sets are among the fare for learning.

Tolan, Stephanie S.

North Carolina author of novels, plays, and articles on giftedness. Newbery Medal recognition in 2003 was for Surviving the Applewhites.

Trudy Krisher

Winning awards from the American Library Association and many other organizations over the years, this author and educator from Dayton, Ohio, specializes in books for young adults. Among her books are Spite Fences and Kinship: A Novel. Recent acclaimed works: Fanny Seward, A Life and An Affectionate Farewell: The Story of Old Abe and Old Bob. The author also is on YouTube.

Warren, Sandra

(Also see ArlieBooks.com above, in this section.) Her Grateful Writer blog is here. Find her on Twitter here.

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Ohio Association for Gifted Children (OAGC)

Official site of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. An encyclopedia of resources, advocacy, Summer Opportunities, and more. Sections for coordinators, teachers, parents, and students are a plus. Sign up for Ohiogift, a list to stay current on gifted education across Ohio. Remember: Important news about gifted education advocacy, related education proposals in the state legislature, and news about the Ohio Board of Education is here. See official Ohio Department of Education-approved information on assessment of gifted students here; the latest full chart download is here. See here for performing and visual arts identification and accompanying handbooks. A partnership with GT Ignite provides high quality professional development. The divisions section offers resources and support for teachers, coordinators, parents, students, and higher education.

►Others

CampOLA

Camp OFLA is a residential elementary foreign language camp for students in grades 3-8. It was created by the Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA) in 2005. Among the languages: Spanish, Russian, French, German, and Japanese. Visit OFLA here.

College-NOW

Engineering and bioscience programs for high school juniors, in partnership with North Central State College, Mansfield, Ohio. Students can graduate with their high-school diploma and an associate degree. Residential.

Columbus Gifted Academy

The Columbus Gifted Academy is a self-contained gifted program located in the heart of the Columbus, Ohio, Short North Arts District. The school offers self-contained, gifted classrooms for students identified as gifted in Grades 3 through 8.

Essex, Martin W. School for the Gifted and Talented

A weeklong summer residential program at Otterbein University near Columbus, Ohio, for the gifted and talented in grades 11-12. Areas of interest: arts, sciences, and humanities, via seminars, hands-on workshops, and field trips.

Future Problem Solving Program - Ohio (FPSP Ohio)

Specifically called Ohio Future Problem Solving Program. Via creative problem-solving, the FPSP program develops critical-thinking skills in students as it encourages them to develop a vision for the future. FPSP features curricular and co-curricular competitive — as well as non-competitive — activities. Participants range in age from 8 to 18. Some programs offer non-team competition.

Gifted Education studies

Several colleges and universities across Ohio offer gifted education programming, as with licensures and endorsements. Among them are Muskingum University, University of Cincinnati here and here, University of Toledo, Ashland University, Bowling Green State University, Cleveland State University, Wright State University, and the University of Dayton. Also, visit Ohio Department of Education Professional Development Resources for gifted service in general education settings; download the helpful 12-page Gifted Education Professional Development Resource Guide here. The Ohio Department of Education offers Rules, Regulations and Policies for Gifted Education here, and Teaching Gifted Students here. EducationDegree.com offers valuable advice on Gifted and Talented Education Programs here.

Homeschooling In Ohio - Gifted

For parents in Ohio who are homeschooling or who are considering homeschooling a gifted child.

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Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and Talented

A weeklong summer residential program at Otterbein University, near Columbus, Ohio, for the gifted and talented in grades 11-12. Areas of interest: arts, sciences, and humanities, via seminars, hands-on workshops, and field trips.

Ohio Association of IB World Schools (OAIB)

Official International Baccalaureate programs for Ohio students ages 3-19. Member schools are listed by region of Ohio. The primary IB site is here.

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Ohio Center for Law-Related Education (OCLRE)

The law, civics, and social studies are the foundation of this education program. The Ohio Mock Trial, We the People, and Youth for Justice are among the student proceedings. Every autumn sees a professional development event, the Law and Citizenship Conference. This is for teachers of government, civics, law, and related disciplines to learn about innovative teaching methods, curriculum development, and programs that engage students in hands-on learning.

Ohio Department of Education (Primary website)

Ohio Department of Education (Gifted education)

Information on acceleration, identification, service, and legislative guidelines. See official Ohio Department of Education-approved information on assessment of gifted students here; the latest full chart download is here. See here for performing and visual arts identification and accompanying handbooks.

Ohio Foreign Language Association (OFLA)

The focus is on standards-based language study, with a global sensibility. Scholarships, professional development for teachers, awards, workshops, publications, and other features mark this site.

Ohio Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP Ohio)

The Future Problem Solving Program for Ohio. Via creative problem-solving, the FPSP program develops critical-thinking skills in students as it encourages them to develop a vision for the future. FPSP features curricular and co-curricular competitive — as well as non-competitive — activities. Participants range in age from 8 to 18. Some programs offer non-team competition.

Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)

Extensive Ohio public library materials for all.

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Ohio Leadership Institute

The focus is on leadership development, with numerous programs for students in grades 2-12. Ohio Leadership Training Camp (OhioLTC) and Ohio Model United Nations (OMUN) are among the programs. Some are summer and residential. Professional development workshops are for teachers and administrators.

Ohio Science Olympiad

As one of the state’s top science competitions, Ohio Science Olympiad allows students in grades 6-12 to demonstrate their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The goal is to improve awareness in science, foster teamwork, and encourage problem-solving tactics. More than 45 hands-on STEM events are in tournament competitions. Registration information, as well as information for coaches, parents, students, and others, is linked from the main page.

Ohio Supercomputer Center Summer Institute

This two-week residential program gives gifted Ohio students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year project-based, hands-on learning. The focus is on collaborative supercomputer usage. Tailored for students proficient in math, science, computers, and/or engineering.

Ohio Technology Consortium

Technology issues are key to this site. Sections: eStudent Services (designed to improve student access to higher education through e-learning and technology-enhanced education); OhioLINK (Ohio’s Academic Library Consortium); OARnet (provides broadband connectivity to Ohio’s K-12 schools through a partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and its information technology centers and to public schools in large urban areas).

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Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA)

Online K-12 education alternatives. Tuition-free public charter school with high academic standards, rigorous instruction, extensive computer employment.

Operating Standards for Identifying and Serving Students Identified as Gifted

In 4,000-words, the Ohio Administrative Code offers specific guidelines on the identification of students who are considered gifted.

OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network)

The Ohio Public Library Information Network provides information services to Ohio public libraries and ensures all Ohio residents that they will have free public internet access through the numerous local public library systems in the state. Bottom line: Across Ohio, all teachers, students, and others will have access to a full range of materials in public libraries.

Parents of Gifted Children - West Central Ohio

As the name suggests, parents of students in gifted education in west-central Ohio can find support here.

Power of the Pen

This is one of Ohio’s largest educational enhancement programs, serving middle-school students across the state. Creative writing gets its due here, with annual competition in Power of the Pen interscholastic writing tournaments. Further, students benefit from Power of the Pen instructional methodologies in the classroom.

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Ross Mathematics Program

Six-week summer program at The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, for students age 15-18 (with exceptions). The goal of the Ross Program is to instruct and inspire bright students in the art of mathematical thinking.

Summer Scholars Program (Miami [Ohio] University)

A multiweek summer residential program of university courses and seminars. Open to all in their junior or senior years of high school, among other requirements for the pre-college coursework and activities. Participants typically choose two courses from more than 20 college departments, and earn 6 or 8 credit-hours.

Super Saturday Program, The

Acceleration and enrichment classes are held on the University of Cincinnati campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. Classes include science, creative writing, Shakespeare, engineering, theater arts, music, mythology, chess, Latino life, multimedia art, scrapbooking, French, chemistry, CSI, computer-aided design, medieval life, card-making, animals, and newspaper life. Teacher opportunities, as well.

TechCorps

From coding and robotics to app development and 3-D printing, the key is technology for students in grades 3-12. Many sites are in Ohio, as well as other locales.

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Trudy Krisher

Winning awards from the American Library Association and many other organizations over the years, this author and educator from Dayton, Ohio, specializes in books for young adults. Among her books are Spite Fences and Kinship: A Novel. Recent acclaimed works: Fanny Seward, A Life and An Affectionate Farewell: The Story of Old Abe and Old Bob. The author also is on YouTube.

Visual and Performing Arts Identification (Ohio)

Handbooks with procedures for identifying students in Ohio schools who are gifted in visual and performing arts. Arts specialists, gifted coordinators and all personnel who develop district identification procedures and are involved in the screening and identification of gifted children should read the four downloadable handbooks listed on the main page.

WPAFB Educational Outreach Office

Science, technology, aviation, and aerospace activities get their due here, for students in grades K-12. The goal is to increase student awareness and excitement in all of these fields. Programs key on STEM, robotics, science fairs, job shadowing, LEGO events, STARBASE, and more. (STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that offers hands-on learning experiences.) Some activities, including field trips, are in partnership with The National Museum of the United States Air Force. Teacher resources and more are available. Student employment and scholarships are an option, as well, at this site based in Dayton, Ohio.

Wright State University Pre-College Programs

Academic-year and summer-enrichment programs for K-12 pre-college students at this Dayton, Ohio, university. STEM programs. Some residential programs. Weeklong institutes for students entering grades 10-12 focus on Advanced Web Design, College Test Prep, Engineering, Food Science: STEM, Forensic Science, Law and Government, Performance Theatre, Take Action: Leadership, and Social Work 101.

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Contents ©2017 Dr. A. Clark Snyder. All rights reserved. This document is intended for free, non-commercial use by educators, parents, school districts, and others. Thanks to Dr. A. Clark Snyder — editor, author, gifted education specialist, technology columnist, marketing consultant, and former reference librarian — for compiling this list. He may be reached at [email protected]. Use of this compilation must include this copyright paragraph. Revised October 31, 2017.