11/25/2009 9:03:00 AM
Mayer students in gifted program work hard for reward
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Mayer Jr/Sr High School students in the gifted program are preparing for a statewide Future Problem Solvers competition in April. They also seek donations to help pay for an environmental education program on Catalina Island, and hope tax credit donations can help cover costs. Advisors Suzanne Johnson, left, and Flora Mae Teskey, right, stand with their students. Top row, left to right, are Kya Teskey, Phoebe Teskey, Jacob Martinez, Blake Ambrose and Alex Sapien; middle row are LeAnna Aston, Dakota Barnhart, Rebecca Feltmann, Rebecca Gaskill and Deonte Johnson; bottom row are Emma Teskey, Carlie Conrad-Carroll, Lauren Enstler, Luis Terrazas and Curtis Corder.
Courtesy Photo |
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At the Mayer Junior/Senior High School, 18 students are working diligently in a gifted program that not only increases their critical thinking and problem solving skills, but increases the chance of a trip to Catalina Island for an environmental education program in marine life.
Suzanne Johnson, English and gifted program teacher at the Mayer High School, said the school's gifted students are working with a national program called Future Problem Solvers. While the program uses gifted curriculum standards, anyone can use the same course work.
"Our students qualify (for the Future Problem Solvers) by test scores and also a willingness to do hard work. They must commit to a year," Johnson said.
Students in the program have two large world issues to study and solve during the year, and a third qualifying issue that allows participation in the statewide Bowl competition at Arizona State University in April.
The students recently finished researching their second practice problem on invasive species.
"It involved a hummingbird species that was being overrun," Johnson said. Students had to come up with solutions to control the current and potential harm, and determine what role the government would play in the solution.
"We do suggested readings that get the kids familiar with the lingo and all the issues and latest thinking on each subject," Johnson said.
All students across the nation receive the same problems. The first practice topic was sensory overload and how technology is impacting people.
"Especially kids who are technology natives, those who have grown up with technology always available," Johnson said. "People who are my age have had to acclimate to it."
In February, students work on the qualifying problem that, hopefully, will insure a place at the FPS Bowl in April. The topic is Orphaned Children, and students will look at changing conditions of poverty and suffering for nearly 100 million orphans worldwide who struggle for survival. Part of the solution is to determine who might be involved in creating sustainable opportunities for the children.
Johnson said the competition consists of teams of four students in three grade level categories: elementary grades 4-6, middle school grades 7-9, and high school level. This year she has three high school teams and two junior high teams.
The competition involves teams solving a problem using a six-step process. They also put on a skit that is related to their solution.
"Last year, we took home a trophy for the skit portion," Johnson said.
Teams of four students have two hours to arrive at a solution -without access to technology or help from teachers. It is a team building activity as well, the teacher said. "It should serve them well in college and their employment life beyond school."
Mayer's gifted program is a pullout situation where students at each level leave their regular classes to meet for an hour a week. The work they do in the gifted classes is above and beyond the regular curriculum, for which they remain responsible.
"I'm really proud of my group," Johnson said. "We have students you would not normally think would be drawn to the program. They are giving their best effort."
At the senior high level, six girls and six boys from grades 9-12 participate. At the junior high, six students - five girls and one boy - make up two teams of three. Nobody is excluded, Johnson said.
All 18 students are committed to the Future Problem Solvers Program and the extra work it requires. The payoff - besides learning team building, critical thinking, and research skills - is the trip to Catalina Island. Their teacher said she has paid the deposit and raised about a quarter of the cost of the trip so far. She is looking at future fundraising projects and seeking tax credit donations for the trip.
"We need assistance with the Catalina Island trip, an environmental educational program (in marine biology). Students are put up in cabins with bunks. The cost is $220 per student for three days, and the ferry costs $60-$70. We also need to pay gas for the bus, and the bus driver's time."
The State gives the district $2,000 per year toward its entire gifted program, Johnson said.
For information on the district's tax credit program, call the office at 928-642-1000.
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