Summer gifted student program introduces new classes

Peoria, Illinois...May 6, 2004... Dozens of classes, many offered for the first time, will be offered to participants in the 2003 World of Wonder program for youth in Central Illinois, sponsored by the Bradley Institute for Gifted and Talented Youth this June.

Four one-week sessions will feature a variety of courses that enable first through eighth grade students to explore and expand their interests and abilities in a university environment.

The first session begins June 2 and the final session ends on June 27. The cost is $95 per one-week session. For more information about student eligibility and registration, contact Dr. Mary Ann Manos, 2003 World of Wonder Director, at (309) 677- 3193, or go to World of Wonder.

New courses offered this summer for students in grades 1 and 2 include Spaced Out! in which students will construct a spacesuit; Yum-Yum, Volume One, involving cooking and exploring childrenÕs literature; and Sports Extravaganza, in which students will study their favorite teams and calculate stats.

Among the new courses offered for students in grades 3 and 4 are Hot Spots, a course that allows students to study Mexico and the Mayan ruins; Bubble-ology, a course based on BernoulliÕs principles that involves experiments with bubbles of all sizes; and History Alive!, a course that allows students to investigate and document information about their ancestors.

Students in grades 5 and 6 may attend new classes including Code Quilts, in which students will learn about the Underground Railroad and the map quilts that guided fugitives; Digging Up Bones; an archeology class; and Monster Mash, a course that investigates movie special effects and face prostheses.

New courses offered for students in grades 7 and 8 includeWright Stuff, a course that will allow students to experience flight in a private plane; Seeking the Muse, in which students will use the Internet and phone to interview museum directors; and Photography in a Can, a course that involves constructing a camera out of a soup can and learning about developing and printing pictures.