Enrichment opportunities are a great way to encourage gifted children’s love
of learning and expose them to information and ideas not covered in the general
school curriculum.
On this page, you’ll find classes, programs and venues in and around Atlanta.
Not all of these are exclusively for children who have been formally identified
as gifted, but all are great resources to challenge and engage bright minds.
Enrichment at Sandtown
Debate Team- See Mr. Lapan for more information
Academic Bowl Team- See Ms. Harrington for more information
Classes
Saturday School for Scholars and
Leaders: Georgia State University has operated this program for
gifted-identified students in grades K-8 since 1975. Courses range from
architecture to anatomy to film making. While the kids are in classes, parents
can attend informational sessions on topics related to gifted children.
K.I.D.S. (Kids
Interested in Discovering Science): These single-day programs for
students in 2nd-12th grades are held at Georgia Tech. Over the course of three
hours, students will rotate to three, one-hour sessions. Hands-on activities are
designed to build kids’ enthusiasm for science, mathematics, engineering and
technology.
Ben Carson
Academy: Operated by the Morehouse School of Medicine, this
science academy gives kids in 4th-8th grades the chance to explore scientific
concepts with hands-on activities. Classes are held on Saturdays.
IMPACT Science: (Note: This grant-funded program is not available now, but
may be again in the future.) These Saturday afternoon classes for grades K-8 are
held at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. Scientific topics range
from water and gravity to forensics.
Atlanta Young Writers
Institute: The institute helps adolescent writers learn the craft
of writing and find their unique literary voices. Offers a variety of classes,
programs and events.
Callanwolde Fine Arts
Center: This non-profit, community arts center in northeast
Atlanta offers classes and summer camps in the fine arts, including visual art,
dance, music, photography and writing. The center also hosts concerts, gallery
shows and community programs. If you want to lead your children by example,
Callanwolde offers adult classes, too.
Start : Code: Computer
programming classes in the Decatur area for students in grades 6-12. Classes are
offered after school, on weekends, or during weekdays for homeschool
students.
Imagine That:
After-school, homeschool and weekend classes, as well as school vacation camps
and parents’ night out programs. Topics offered include art, science and
technology. For kids from preschool to middle school.
Museums / Venues
Fernbank Museum of
Natural History: Exhibits at this Decatur museum include
dinosaurs, shells, ancient pottery and an IMAX theater.
Fernbank Science Center: Located in Decatur and
operated by DeKalb County Schools, Fernbank is home to a natural science museum,
an observatory, and a planetarium that puts on shows for all ages year
round.
Tellus Science Museum:
This vast museum in Cartersville — just off I-75 — offers something for just
about any science-minded kid. Exhibits include fossils, minerals, transportation
technology, a solar house, a fossil dig and a planetarium.
Atlanta History
Center: Located in Buckhead, this museum offers programming on a
variety of historical topics. The center also includes a research library with
archival information about Atlanta and the South.
Atlanta Botanical
Garden: Adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown, these extensive
gardens provide an up-close look at a variety of plants from different climates,
including a large collection of orchids. The gardens also include an amphibian
exhibit and — for those interested in plant science — a tissue culture lab where
new plants are grown from a small amount of plant matter. Atlanta Botanical
Garden also offers occasional classes.
The National Archives
at Atlanta: This branch of the National Archives, located in
Morrow, has exhibits and occasional programs, and offers access to thousands of
government documents that can be used to explore the history of the region.
Observatory at Georgia
Perimeter College: Open house hours the second Saturday night of
every month. Telescope also can be used by appointment.
The Wylde Center: Kids
can explore the public gardens in this Decatur center, formerly known as the
Oakhurst Community Garden. Classes are also available.
Performing Arts
Atlanta Symphony Youth
Orchestra: Established in 1974 under the auspices of the Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra, the ASYO performs in Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts
Center. Open to students age 13-18. Auditions are held in September.
Atlanta Youth Wind
Symphony: Founded in 1988 at Emory University, the AYWS is open
to students who play wind instruments or percussion. The symphony plays
collegiate and professional level pieces. Most members are in 11th or 12th
grade. Auditions are held in August.
Competitions
Odyssey of the Mind:
Students from kindergarten through college compete in this international
celebration of creative thinking. Teams of 2-7 kids work together to develop
solutions to theatrical or engineering challenges, then present their solutions
at regional, state and world competitions. The metro Atlanta regional
competition, held each spring in Lilburn, typically draws 125-150 teams.
Destination
Imagination: An international program for kids of all ages. Teams
of up to 7 kids take on challenges, then present what they’ve done at regional,
state and global competitions. DI is similar to Odyssey of the Mind, but is
smaller than Odyssey here in Georgia — although it is gaining ground here and is
very active in other parts of the country. I’ve had personal experience running
teams in Odyssey and D.I. and found the D.I. experience much more rewarding for
the kids and me.
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
(FIRST): This organization offers activities to inspire interest
in science and technology. FIRST’s competitive leagues start with a junior LEGO
league for kids in K-3rd grade and go up to robotics and technology competitions
for high-school students.
Team America Rocketry
Challenge: In this annual competition, students in grades 7-12
build and launch model rockets. Top performing teams from local competitions are
invited to Washington, D.C. to compete for cash and scholarships and the
opportunity to participate in NASA’s advanced rocketry program. Registration is
open each fall.
Future Problem Solving
Program International: Encourages students to apply creative
problem solving to real-world scenarios. Students in grades 4-12, working
independently or in small groups, research a problem, devise a number of
possible solutions, then use critical thinking to choose the best of their
possible solutions. A separate, non-competitive division is open to students in
grades K-9. Information on local activities available at the Georgia FPSP page.
of learning and expose them to information and ideas not covered in the general
school curriculum.
On this page, you’ll find classes, programs and venues in and around Atlanta.
Not all of these are exclusively for children who have been formally identified
as gifted, but all are great resources to challenge and engage bright minds.
Enrichment at Sandtown
Debate Team- See Mr. Lapan for more information
Academic Bowl Team- See Ms. Harrington for more information
Classes
Saturday School for Scholars and
Leaders: Georgia State University has operated this program for
gifted-identified students in grades K-8 since 1975. Courses range from
architecture to anatomy to film making. While the kids are in classes, parents
can attend informational sessions on topics related to gifted children.
K.I.D.S. (Kids
Interested in Discovering Science): These single-day programs for
students in 2nd-12th grades are held at Georgia Tech. Over the course of three
hours, students will rotate to three, one-hour sessions. Hands-on activities are
designed to build kids’ enthusiasm for science, mathematics, engineering and
technology.
Ben Carson
Academy: Operated by the Morehouse School of Medicine, this
science academy gives kids in 4th-8th grades the chance to explore scientific
concepts with hands-on activities. Classes are held on Saturdays.
IMPACT Science: (Note: This grant-funded program is not available now, but
may be again in the future.) These Saturday afternoon classes for grades K-8 are
held at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. Scientific topics range
from water and gravity to forensics.
Atlanta Young Writers
Institute: The institute helps adolescent writers learn the craft
of writing and find their unique literary voices. Offers a variety of classes,
programs and events.
Callanwolde Fine Arts
Center: This non-profit, community arts center in northeast
Atlanta offers classes and summer camps in the fine arts, including visual art,
dance, music, photography and writing. The center also hosts concerts, gallery
shows and community programs. If you want to lead your children by example,
Callanwolde offers adult classes, too.
Start : Code: Computer
programming classes in the Decatur area for students in grades 6-12. Classes are
offered after school, on weekends, or during weekdays for homeschool
students.
Imagine That:
After-school, homeschool and weekend classes, as well as school vacation camps
and parents’ night out programs. Topics offered include art, science and
technology. For kids from preschool to middle school.
Museums / Venues
Fernbank Museum of
Natural History: Exhibits at this Decatur museum include
dinosaurs, shells, ancient pottery and an IMAX theater.
Fernbank Science Center: Located in Decatur and
operated by DeKalb County Schools, Fernbank is home to a natural science museum,
an observatory, and a planetarium that puts on shows for all ages year
round.
Tellus Science Museum:
This vast museum in Cartersville — just off I-75 — offers something for just
about any science-minded kid. Exhibits include fossils, minerals, transportation
technology, a solar house, a fossil dig and a planetarium.
Atlanta History
Center: Located in Buckhead, this museum offers programming on a
variety of historical topics. The center also includes a research library with
archival information about Atlanta and the South.
Atlanta Botanical
Garden: Adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown, these extensive
gardens provide an up-close look at a variety of plants from different climates,
including a large collection of orchids. The gardens also include an amphibian
exhibit and — for those interested in plant science — a tissue culture lab where
new plants are grown from a small amount of plant matter. Atlanta Botanical
Garden also offers occasional classes.
The National Archives
at Atlanta: This branch of the National Archives, located in
Morrow, has exhibits and occasional programs, and offers access to thousands of
government documents that can be used to explore the history of the region.
Observatory at Georgia
Perimeter College: Open house hours the second Saturday night of
every month. Telescope also can be used by appointment.
The Wylde Center: Kids
can explore the public gardens in this Decatur center, formerly known as the
Oakhurst Community Garden. Classes are also available.
Performing Arts
Atlanta Symphony Youth
Orchestra: Established in 1974 under the auspices of the Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra, the ASYO performs in Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts
Center. Open to students age 13-18. Auditions are held in September.
Atlanta Youth Wind
Symphony: Founded in 1988 at Emory University, the AYWS is open
to students who play wind instruments or percussion. The symphony plays
collegiate and professional level pieces. Most members are in 11th or 12th
grade. Auditions are held in August.
Competitions
Odyssey of the Mind:
Students from kindergarten through college compete in this international
celebration of creative thinking. Teams of 2-7 kids work together to develop
solutions to theatrical or engineering challenges, then present their solutions
at regional, state and world competitions. The metro Atlanta regional
competition, held each spring in Lilburn, typically draws 125-150 teams.
Destination
Imagination: An international program for kids of all ages. Teams
of up to 7 kids take on challenges, then present what they’ve done at regional,
state and global competitions. DI is similar to Odyssey of the Mind, but is
smaller than Odyssey here in Georgia — although it is gaining ground here and is
very active in other parts of the country. I’ve had personal experience running
teams in Odyssey and D.I. and found the D.I. experience much more rewarding for
the kids and me.
For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
(FIRST): This organization offers activities to inspire interest
in science and technology. FIRST’s competitive leagues start with a junior LEGO
league for kids in K-3rd grade and go up to robotics and technology competitions
for high-school students.
Team America Rocketry
Challenge: In this annual competition, students in grades 7-12
build and launch model rockets. Top performing teams from local competitions are
invited to Washington, D.C. to compete for cash and scholarships and the
opportunity to participate in NASA’s advanced rocketry program. Registration is
open each fall.
Future Problem Solving
Program International: Encourages students to apply creative
problem solving to real-world scenarios. Students in grades 4-12, working
independently or in small groups, research a problem, devise a number of
possible solutions, then use critical thinking to choose the best of their
possible solutions. A separate, non-competitive division is open to students in
grades K-9. Information on local activities available at the Georgia FPSP page.