Summer Laureate is designed for curious and motivated learners in grades K鈥�6 who thrive when given opportunities to ask questions, solve complex problems, and pursue topics in depth. The two-week summer program, hosted by the UA 糖心视频logo Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, offers a uniquely engaging mix of science, engineering, mathematics, language arts, history, and much more. 

“Summer Laureate is one of the longest-running campus enrichment programs in the U.S.,” said Dr. Ann Robinson, center director. “Yet, each year, the creativity and innovation of the teachers, the program administrators, and the students make the learning experience fresh for everyone. For nearly half a century, UA 糖心视频logo has embraced the program and celebrated its contributions to our community. We are delighted to be a part of the university’s centennial year.”

Each summer brings a new lineup of classes, allowing students fresh opportunities to explore new passions, strengthen their talents, and discover new interests to carry with them long after summer ends. This year’s program features 21 new classes designed to spark curiosity through subjects and themes not typically found in traditional classrooms. Inspired by children鈥檚 interests and current trends, the curriculum is reimagined each year to keep students engaged and excited to learn.

Many classes blend multiple subjects into one hands-on course, encouraging students to make connections across disciplines. Young learners might investigate insects through art and science or explore world cultures through music and language. Older students can combine engineering and artificial intelligence, travel through ancient civilizations and mythology, or develop strategic thinking through chess and coding.

鈥淪ummer Laureate gives young learners the freedom to explore new ideas, take creative risks, and discover new interests alongside peers who share their curiosity,鈥� said Dr. Monica Meadows, assistant professor in the School of Education. 鈥淚t is exciting to watch students engage with topics they may not encounter during the regular school year through fun, meaningful learning experiences. During Summer Laureate, students are not simply learning about a topic; they are designing, creating, questioning, and bringing their ideas to life.鈥�

The program鈥檚 influence extends beyond its students. What sets the program apart is its team of instructors, which includes graduate students in gifted and talented education, experienced classroom teachers, and subject-matter experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the classroom. For graduate students, the program provides hands-on experience designing curriculum, teaching alongside veteran educators, and translating gifted education theory into classroom practice, helping build a strong pipeline of gifted and talented education teachers for Arkansas classrooms.

Beyond academic enrichment, the program fosters a vibrant community where advanced learners can connect with peers who share their curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. As Summer Laureate enters its 47th year, it continues to inspire young learners while helping cultivate the next generation of gifted and talented educators, strengthening gifted education across Arkansas.

The post Summer Laureate Returns to UA 糖心视频logo with 21 New Classes for Young Learners appeared first on News.

The Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education will host MT Stage from June 29 to July 3, inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. This year’s program explores one of musical theatre’s most enduring creative practices: adaptation. Students will examine how Shakespeare’s classic tragedy has been reimagined for Broadway and contemporary audiences before creating their own interpretation. Each summer, MT Stage challenges students to use research, collaboration, and creativity to transform ideas into an original production.

While the theme changes every few years, the heart of the program has remained steadfast since its creation in 1994. MT Stage was founded by Leslie Dudley Corbell, then a graduate student at UA 糖心视频logo, who saw an opportunity to blend musical theatre with the learning principles she was studying in gifted education. As part of her master鈥檚 work, she designed MT Stage as an internship project for submission to the state-funded Academic Enrichment for Gifted/Talented in Summer (AEGIS) programs, developing an experience that went beyond a traditional theatre camp and gave students ownership of the entire creative process.

Rather than simply performing a musical, students take part in every aspect of bringing one to life 鈥� writing, composing, acting, and directing their own work. What began as a graduate internship project quickly resonated with students and turned into one of the Jodie Mahony Center鈥檚 longest-running summer enrichment programs. 

Corbell even captured that vision in the program鈥檚 name. 

“Obviously, MT Stage stands for music theater stage, but it was also meant to represent an empty stage,” she said. “The idea was that you would bring together a group of young people with their own perspectives, experiences, and interests, give them a theme, and then watch them create something entirely unique.”

Every summer, that concept comes to life as kids step into the roles of writers, composers, actors, and directors. Working together, they turn research and ideas into an entire production.

For Corbell, the goal was never simply to teach theater.

“I hoped they would share that love of musical theater and learn history, but also understand more about themselves,” she said. “When you look at stories, you learn about human nature, motivation, and how people solve problems. Those lessons stay with you.”

This approach reflects a core principle of gifted education: students learn most deeply when they are given the freedom to pursue subjects that genuinely capture their interest. Through the process of creating an original musical, students develop far more than artistic abilities. They learn to collaborate, communicate, solve problems, manage disagreements, and think critically as they work toward a shared goal. Whether writing lyrics, developing scenes, or performing onstage, students are constantly challenged to turn ideas into reality.

“Learning follows interest,” she said. “Once you’re emotionally attached to something or personally interested in it, your learning can go very deep.”

More than three decades after its founding, MT Stage continues to give students the opportunity to transform their ideas into something entirely their own. 

鈥淢T Stage is a gem of a program at the Jodie Mahony Center,鈥� Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center at UA 糖心视频logo, said. 鈥淚t was created by Leslie Dudley Corbell, one of my former graduate students, and now, thirty years on, has been adapted by the current program director, Lori Delk, who is also an alumna of UA 糖心视频logo’s graduate gifted programs. MT Stage showcases the creative vision of adults committed to providing children and adolescents with engaging experiences in a campus environment.鈥�    

While this year’s theme is Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the program’s mission remains unchanged: encouraging young people to create, collaborate, and discover where their imagination can take them.

The public is invited to experience the results of that creative journey at the Student Showcase Performance at 2 p.m. Friday, July 3, in Ledbetter ABC of the Donaghey Student Center, where participants will present the original production they developed throughout the week.

More than 30 years after MT Stage began, Davis Hendricks, director of the program, sees the same spirit of creativity and collaboration that audiences will experience at this year’s Student Showcase Performance.

“I am continually amazed not only by the creativity of these young people, but by the talent they bring to the table,” Hendricks said. “Watching them work together and collaborate is incredible. I’ve been involved with MT Stage for about six years and have served as its director for the past four, and I’ve never had as much fun as I have with this program.”

The post MT Stage Returns, Continuing Over 30 Years of Student Creativity and Collaboration at UA 糖心视频logo appeared first on News.

Drs. Ann Robinson and Monica Meadows of the UA 糖心视频logo School of Education recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to present at an invitational colloquium organized by the Children (NAGC) conference and hosted by the (AFT). As a national leader in research, professional learning, and advocacy for gifted and talented students, the NAGC partnered with the AFT 鈥� the nation鈥檚 second-largest teachers鈥� union, representing more than 1.7 million members 鈥� to bring together experts and educators dedicated to advancing opportunities for all students.

The , brought together educators, researchers, and policy leaders from across the country to address the increasing need for teacher preparation programs that enable educators to recognize and support gifted, creative, and talented students in today鈥檚 classrooms.

鈥淓very child deserves to learn something new every day 鈥� including advanced and precocious children and youth,鈥� Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, said.

During the colloquium, UA 糖心视频logo was recognized as a national leader in gifted education and was invited to present its work to attendees. The university is one of only two undergraduate teacher preparation programs in the U.S. 鈥� alongside Purdue University 鈥� that requires a course in gifted education as part of the middle childhood education curriculum.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the combination of our faculty鈥檚 commitment and collaboration in both middle childhood and gifted education, along with innovative elements like a rigorous, year-long online residency and a required undergraduate course in gifted education, that sets our program apart. This is innovative thinking at its best,鈥� Robinson said.

The course that started the undergraduate gifted education initiative is GATE 40003, 鈥淕ifted, Creative, and Talented Education for Classroom Teachers,鈥� developed about five years ago through a collaborative effort led by Dr. Lundon Pinneo, coordinator of the middle childhood education program. The course was created after Arkansas changed its middle school teaching licensure requirements, creating space in the curriculum for additional specialized training. 

鈥淚 wanted to use that opportunity to better meet both state requirements and, more importantly, the needs of our students,鈥� Pinneo said.

Using feedback from mentor teachers and faculty, Pinneo identified key areas where future educators needed additional support. She reached out to Robinson to adapt graduate-level gifted-education concepts for undergraduate teacher candidates.

鈥淲ithout collaboration among faculty, the undergraduate course in gifted education at UA 糖心视频logo would never have taken place,鈥� Meadows said.

Since its introduction, the course has become a defining feature of the middle childhood education program, with faculty collaboration playing a critical role in its success. 

鈥淲e鈥檝e been given an exciting opportunity for our School of Education to take the lead in demonstrating to the rest of the country how important pre-service preparation programs are in filling the gap that can exist between general education and specialized gifted education,鈥� Robinson said. 

At the colloquium, organizers focused on the persistent 鈥済ap鈥� in educator preparation nationwide: while most teachers receive training to support students with disabilities, far fewer are prepared to recognize and meet the needs of advanced learners. Through their presentations, Robinson and Meadows offered UA 糖心视频logo’s approach as a model for addressing that challenge, demonstrating how gifted education can be integrated into undergraduate teacher preparation programs.

鈥淭here was a lot of excitement around the course and the work we shared at the colloquium,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淧eople wanted to know how we made it happen, how students are responding to it, and how they might implement similar approaches at their own institutions.鈥�

As universities across the country examine how to prepare educators for classrooms with an ever-growing range of needs, the discussion shows the role gifted education can play in helping teachers recognize talent, tailor instruction, and best support students with advanced learning needs. 

鈥淧re-service teachers come to us with a wide range of experiences and abilities, and all students deserve to be both challenged and supported,鈥� Pinneo said. 鈥淥ur graduates are leaving the program with more tools to support the different learning needs of their future students.鈥�

The post UA 糖心视频logo Recognized Nationally for Innovative Gifted Education Program appeared first on News.

April Blackburn, longtime K-12 GT teacher for in Bigelow, Ark., was recognized for her significant contributions to GT education.  

Blackburn graduated in 2011 with a degree in education from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). Freshly 22 and eager to put her diploma to use, she was offered a position as a GT teacher with East End School District, the only position open at the time, under the condition that she become certified as soon as possible.聽

While she didn鈥檛 quite realize all that being the district鈥檚 only GT teacher would entail, she was up for the task. Blackburn enrolled at UA 糖心视频logo and began the process. By 2013, she only lacked three credits for her master鈥檚; by 2015, she had completed her M.A. in Gifted and Talented Education, a degree she never imagined she鈥檇 one day have. 

She credits Dr. Ann Robinson, a distinguished professor for the UA 糖心视频logo School of Education, for much of her success from that period.

鈥淭here were times when I looked at her and admitted I didn鈥檛 know if I had what it takes to finish [the program],鈥� Blackburn said. 鈥淎nd she said, 鈥楴o, you can, and I need you to stay with it.鈥� She was such a mentor to me.鈥� 

All these years later, UA 糖心视频logo is still part of her life.

鈥淯A 糖心视频logo never left me after I graduated,鈥� she said. 鈥淒r. Robinson checked in on me when I lost my grandparents, and I still talk to my old professors. The great thing about being an alumnus is that you’re never gone from UA 糖心视频logo. They’re always proud to call you a Trojan.鈥�

She and her husband were able to go to the university鈥檚 annual Taste of 糖心视频logo April 7, which celebrates diverse culinary experiences from across the city.

鈥淸The invitation] reminded me I鈥檓 still part of the family,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t means a lot to me how much the university cares about their alumni and invests in their success.鈥�

Now 15 years into her tenure at East End School District, Blackburn went into her career hoping to create a safe environment that gives students the space to realize their potential.

鈥淚f I don’t teach, who will?鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e struggling to get educators. We鈥檙e struggling to find the right people. And we’re losing teachers left and right for really valid reasons. I push forward through it because [my students] need me, and they’re going through much worse things than I am. I mean, I have kids who don’t even know what love is.鈥�

It was the idea of putting a smile on even one of their faces that gave her the idea to start wearing costumes to school more than a decade ago. In 2015, Blackburn walked into her classroom on Halloween wearing a homemade replica of Ms. Frizzle鈥檚 iconic space outfit: a navy blue dress patterned with stars and planets, space shuttle shoes and Saturn drop earrings. 

It became more than just a tradition. On National Popcorn Day, students know when they walk into school that she鈥檒l be dressed up as a giant bag of popcorn. When National Bubble Gum Day comes around a month later, she鈥檒l be dressed up as a bubble gum machine. Each 鈥渘ational day鈥� brings its own costume and theme.

鈥淚 probably have more than 300 at this point,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淪tudents who graduated years ago will come up to me in public and ask if I still wear them. I鈥檝e had people beg me to count them, and everyone laughs when I tell them how small of a closet I actually have. Most of the costumes are all vacuum sealed, and some of them are in my attic. The inflatable ones are in the garage.鈥�

If that鈥檚 not enough, she鈥檚 also earned the nickname 鈥淕rant Queen鈥� at her school. During the 2025鈥�26 school year alone, she secured 10 grants, including funding that allowed her middle school students to participate in several regional VEX Robotics competitions across Arkansas.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want state funding to ever limit opportunities for my students,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have four 3D printers in my classroom. I have class pets. I just hatched eggs in an incubator. There鈥檚 always something going on, and it makes the kids run to my door.鈥�

And when she鈥檚 not waiting by the door to welcome her students in, she鈥檚 helping out with quiz bowl, or chess club, or National Honor Society, or the spelling bee, or Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE), where she sits on the board and as elections chair.

鈥淚 wear a lot of hats, literally and figuratively,鈥� she said.

With the support of Callie Quiroz, principal and former librarian at Anne Watson Elementary School, Blackburn also created a makerspace lab鈥攁 space where students can go specifically to build and create.

Blackburn was raised in Conway by her grandmother, Clara, who was a third grade teacher at Ellen Smith Elementary School for 23 years before retiring to care for Blackburn and her siblings.

鈥淗earing the impact she had on students my whole life made me want to have a career where I could impact others,鈥� Blackburn said. 鈥淪ome of my kids get off the bus every morning and have come from awful situations. If wearing a crazy costume is going to make them feel like they can breathe, then that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 going to do.鈥�

Her grandmother passed away from pneumonia in 2024, 7 days after the birth of Blackburn鈥檚 son William. Clara watched Blackburn win several education awards throughout her career, including the Master鈥檚 and Specialist Award in November 2015 and the Act 56 Award from AGATE in 2018. 

鈥淚 know my grandma is watching, and I want to show her that giving up her career for us wasn鈥檛 a mistake,鈥� she said. 鈥淚’m going to make her proud until I retire, if I ever do. They might have to carry me out.鈥�

Of all her career milestones, one stood out as the moment she realized she made it as an educator. Every April, Blackburn takes dozens of students on multi-day trips as part of her curriculum. She is always blown away by the impact these trips seem to have on her students, many of whom have never been out of state. But one conversation on a charter bus to the San Antonio SeaWorld Camp in 2015 changed her perspective entirely.

鈥淚t was the middle of the night, and I was walking up and down the bus to make sure everyone was okay, and one of the girls was looking out of the window. I stopped to ask her if she was okay, and she said, 鈥榃e just crossed the Texas state line. Did you know that? I鈥檝e never been out of the state before, Ms. Blackburn.鈥欌��

That little girl鈥檚 face in that moment, where it clicked that she could go places she鈥檇 never been before, is something Blackburn says she鈥檒l never forget.

鈥淪he had a lot of hardship in her life: a mom in prison and a difficult upbringing being bounced from house to house. It reminded me that as horrible as the world can sometimes be, there are people who don鈥檛 have the opportunities we do, and bringing that kind of inspiration that comes with life experience is something that I don鈥檛 take for granted.鈥�

It鈥檚 advice that Blackburn will pass on to her children: four-year-old Clara and now two-year-old William, named after each of her grandparents, whose spirits live on through the joy she brings to her classroom each day.

Written by Olivia Hicks

The post UA 糖心视频logo Alum Uses Closet of 300 Costumes to Inspire Students appeared first on News.

For 25 years, the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University of Arkansas at 糖心视频logo has helped shape the future of Arkansas classrooms 鈥� supporting educators and opening doors for thousands of talented students across the state.

Part of UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, the Mahony Center was established in 2001 to support programs that challenge and inspire advanced learners. Today, it is one of only about 20 centers of its kind in the United States.

鈥淔or 25 years, the Mahony Center has helped position UA 糖心视频logo as a leader in gifted education,鈥� said Dr. Ann Robinson, the center鈥檚 founding director. 鈥淥ur goal has always been to cultivate talent at every level 鈥� from young students discovering their passions to educators strengthening their practice.鈥�

Building a Talent Development Network

From the beginning, the Mahony Center was designed to connect multiple efforts under one mission: supporting talented students and the educators who teach them.

The Mahony Center combines student enrichment programs, teacher professional learning, curriculum development, and federally funded research focused on gifted education services in schools.

It also reflects the legacy of late Arkansas legislator Joseph Kirby 鈥淛odie鈥� Mahony II, a longtime advocate for public education who championed gifted programs and Advanced Placement opportunities across the state.

Today, the Mahony Center鈥檚 work reaches far beyond campus, supporting schools and educators throughout Arkansas and beyond.

鈥淭he Mahony Center continues to be a beacon of quality education in these challenging times for Arkansas. My father would be extremely proud of his legacy that is continued by Ann Robinson at UA 糖心视频logo,鈥� said Jodie Mahony III, son of the late Arkansas legislator.

Transforming Student Experiences

One of the center鈥檚 signature programs, Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY), has offered enrichment opportunities for advanced learners and continues to thrive under the Mahony Center鈥檚 leadership.

Each summer, about 300 students in grades K鈥�6 attend SLUFY, participating in hands-on courses that encourage creativity, critical thinking, and exploration. Over time, more than 13,500 students have taken part in the program.

Students design solutions to real-world problems, explore literature and the arts, and tackle STEM challenges in an environment that encourages curiosity and collaboration.

鈥淲e never want a child to wonder if they鈥檒l get to return,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭he center exists to ensure that opportunities for accelerated and advanced learning remain accessible and sustainable.鈥�

Robinson said for students in grades 7 through 9, challenging experiences are offered through MT Stage, a program that is funded by the Arkansas Department of Education through its AEGIS initiative. Focused on musical theatre, MT Stage offers students the opportunity to move from Shakespeare through current Broadway productions.聽

Supporting Educators Across Arkansas

The Mahony Center also plays a major role in supporting teachers across the state.

The UA 糖心视频logo Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI), now in its 32nd year of operation, has served more than 12,000 teachers in the past 15 years alone. Through APSI, an official initiative of the College Board, teachers gain new strategies and classroom resources that help students succeed in Advanced Placement courses and prepare for college-level work.

In addition to working with high school teachers, the Mahony Center provides professional development opportunities to elementary teachers, gifted and talented coordinators, and principals. Initiated with federal funding, the Center provides support to schools to adopt the use of existing data to spot talent and provide engaging opportunities in the classroom.

Research and Curriculum Innovation

The center is also nationally recognized for developing research-based curriculum and classroom resources.

Over the years, the Mahony Center has produced 25 Blueprints for Biographies curriculum guides, including 15 STEM-focused guides developed and tested with federal support.

The Mahony Center鈥檚 STEM Starters research initiatives, funded through multiple Jacob K. Javits grants totaling more than $6.6 million, have introduced engineering and computer science learning models in elementary classrooms across Arkansas and are featured in a recent national publication, 鈥�.鈥�

These programs combine literacy and STEM instruction, allowing students to explore real-world challenges while learning about inventors, scientists, and innovators.

Mahony Center by the Numbers

• 25 years advancing gifted education at UA 糖心视频logo
  
• 14,000+ students served through Summer Laureate
  
• 300 students attend Summer Laureate each summer
  
• 690 educators from Arkansas, nationally, and internationally participated in APSI in 2025
  
• $6.6 million in federal funding supporting STEM initiatives
  
• 25 Blueprints for Biographies curriculum guides developed

Looking Ahead

As the Mahony Center celebrates its 25th anniversary, its mission remains the same: to encourage  talented students, support  educators in within-school and out-of-school settings,  expand opportunities for accelerated learning across Arkansas, and engage in research on talent development.

Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, ongoing research, and innovative programs, the center continues to play an important role in shaping gifted education in the state.

鈥淭he Mahony Center is more than a program,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a commitment to excellence 鈥� and to the belief that talent deserves to be nurtured.鈥�

The post Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education Celebrates 25 Years appeared first on News.

The Challenger Award recognizes individuals, typically educators, who take unusual, creative or innovative steps in their professional work. Honorees are recognized at the AGATE conference.

Meadows, a research associate at UA 糖心视频logo, has served in multiple roles at the Jodie Mahony Center since 2015. She currently assists with summer programs and supports the center wherever needed.

鈥淒r. Meadows left a well-established gifted program in a metropolitan school district to become part of a team in a newly formed district where programs and services for advanced students were designed from the ground up,鈥� said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center. 鈥淢onica was integral to the team 鈥� the program is now one of the best in the area. This is just one of many things Dr. Meadows has done.鈥�

Meadows said the recognition was both unexpected and meaningful.

鈥淚 am so humbled,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淲hen Dr. Robinson and Dr. Dietz told me they were going to submit a nomination, I honestly did not believe I would receive the award. Being acknowledged by my peers and colleagues around the state is a very humbling experience and means a lot to me.鈥�

Meadows said she plans to continue supporting students in K-12, as well as graduate and undergraduate students and teachers.

鈥淣o matter your profession or career, don鈥檛 be afraid to take opportunities that come your way, especially those that lead to paths you wouldn鈥檛 typically consider,鈥� Meadows said. 鈥淚 never considered that I would earn a doctorate or teach in higher education.鈥�

The post Jodie Mahony Center鈥檚 Meadows Wins Challenger Award appeared first on News.

The award honors individuals whose work significantly contributes to the development and support of creativity, particularly within gifted education. Named for Dr. E. Paul Torrance 鈥� widely regarded as the 鈥淔ather of Creativity鈥� 鈥� the recognition celebrates research, leadership, educational practice, and innovative programming that advance creative thinking and expand opportunities for creative expression.

鈥淩eceiving this award reflects a commitment to nurturing creative potential and carrying forward Dr. Torrance鈥檚 legacy of valuing creativity as an essential component of learning and human potential,鈥� she said.

Bomar is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in gifted, creative, and talented education, and said she chose to nominate herself after recognizing how closely the award鈥檚 criteria aligned with her professional philosophy and classroom practice.

鈥淚 chose to self-nominate not out of self-promotion, but out of self-advocacy,鈥� she said. 鈥淓ducators 鈥� especially those who value creativity 鈥� are often encouraged to elevate the work and impact they bring to students. The nomination process gave me space to reflect on my experiences and intentionally document that work.鈥�

She invited colleagues familiar with her work to submit letters of support, describing the experience as empowering and reaffirming.

鈥淐harlotte exemplifies creativity 鈥� in her work and in her approach to life,鈥� said Dr. Ann Robinson, director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at UA 糖心视频logo. 鈥淒r. E. Paul Torrance, in whose honor this prestigious national award was created, would have loved meeting Charlotte and would have been excited to see her innovative curriculum work and creative approach to students in the classroom.

鈥淗e was magic in the classroom, and that characterizes Charlotte, too,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淪he is an inspiring teacher whose understanding of creativity in children informs her practice every day. It is a pleasure to be Charlotte鈥檚 adviser, and UA 糖心视频logo is fortunate to have her in our graduate program.鈥�

Robinson added that Bomar teaches in the 糖心视频logo School District and can also be found on the UA 糖心视频logo campus during the Summer Laureate program.

Bomar said creativity should be embedded into teaching and learning 鈥� not treated as an add-on. Her instructional approach emphasizes originality, curiosity, and divergent thinking through intentionally designed, interdisciplinary learning experiences.

One example is Thrills and Chills: The Art and Science of Amusement Parks, a curriculum she developed that blends engineering, physics, design, and the arts. The unit was field-tested through UA 糖心视频logo鈥檚 SLUFY summer program and at her own Watson Elementary, where it led to high levels of student engagement and original creative work. As a result, the school鈥檚 gifted and talented students earned multiple awards at the Arkansas State Fair.

Bomar also models creativity through her own practice, including art journaling and the design of immersive classroom spaces such as the Young Astronaut room and the Imagination Station 鈥� environments she says help students see creativity as both a mindset and a way of life.

鈥淚 intentionally encourage creativity by designing learning environments that invite curiosity, exploration, and risk-taking,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 use open-ended tasks and inquiry-based projects that allow multiple pathways to understanding, and I emphasize problem-finding just as much as problem-solving.鈥�

Bomar believes creativity is essential in gifted education today, particularly as students prepare for an increasingly complex and uncertain world.

鈥淎dvanced ability alone isn鈥檛 enough,鈥� she said. 鈥淕ifted students need opportunities to think divergently, generate original ideas, and engage in authentic, meaningful learning. Creativity supports not only academic growth, but also social and emotional development.鈥�

Bomar credits her graduate studies at UA 糖心视频logo with helping ground her creativity-centered approach in research while encouraging innovation in instructional design.

鈥淭he program challenged me to reflect on my teaching choices, integrate theory with real-world application, and intentionally design meaningful learning experiences,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t helped me become a more reflective, research-informed educator.鈥�

Looking ahead, Bomar hopes to help shift gifted education in Arkansas toward a more creativity-centered, student-driven model 鈥� one that values innovation alongside academic rigor.

鈥淏y expanding access to creativity-focused curriculum and professional learning, we can better nurture the diverse talents and potential of gifted students across the state,鈥� she said.

She also encourages educators and graduate students to view creativity as a process and a mindset, not just a finished product.

鈥淲hen educators embrace creativity in their own practice 鈥� by allowing choice, modeling curiosity, and creating safe spaces for risk-taking 鈥� it naturally extends to the students and communities they serve,鈥� she said.

The post UA 糖心视频logo Graduate Student Honored Nationally for Creativity in Gifted Education appeared first on News.

Put on by the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, APSI hosted 492 Arkansas teachers and 198 out-of-state and home school teachers.聽

The Jodie Mahony Center offered three weeks of courses to help teachers improve their content knowledge and teaching skills. Two weeks were offered online and one week on campus. Each week offered 12 courses covering a total of 19 different AP courses. Each week the APSI covered 30 hours of intensive training, including labs, hands-on activities, and instructional strategies that teachers can take back to their classrooms. 

鈥淎dvanced Placement is one of the approved accelerated learning options that districts have to provide opportunities for their students to attain college credit while in high school,鈥� said Lori Delk, professional learning director at the Jodie Mahony Center and APSI coordinator  鈥淎PSI training has been a tried-and-true way of increasing rigor in classrooms across the state, not just in AP classes but in all the classes that the teachers receiving training teach. As a former AP teacher who attended dozens of APSIs over my career, I can speak first hand to the efficacy of the training and of the strategies that are shared with the teachers.鈥�

Dr. Ann Robinson, distinguished professor of education and founding director of the Jodie Mahony Center, called APSI a highlight of the summer. 

鈥淚t is one of our earliest and most impactful professional development programs,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭he participants, who attend from across Arkansas, the nation, and even around the world, make this a rich and wonderful experience for everyone involved.鈥�

Each week-long institute course is taught by a College Board-endorsed consultant who has received extensive training from , a not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. These consultants are  leaders in their respective subject area and have a proven track record in student success on the AP exams. This year鈥檚 36 consultants taught APSI classes in subjects ranging from chemistry and biology to American history and art and design. 

鈥淧articipating in AP, whether as a teacher or a student, is an academic boost,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭eachers staying on the cutting edge of accelerated learning strategies. Students develop knowledge and skills that increase their success in a collegiate environment.鈥� 

APSI is funded by a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education that covers the costs of registration for Arkansas public and charter school teachers. The impact extends far beyond the professional development for educators. UA 糖心视频logo awarded thousands of hours of college credit to incoming freshmen with scores of three or higher on AP exams.

The post UA 糖心视频logo Hosts Nearly 700 teachers for 31st Year of Advanced Placement Summer Institute appeared first on News.

The Rural Education Researcher Award honors a researcher whose work has made a significant contribution to understanding and improving education in rural or remote communities. This award recognizes research that informs practice, shapes policy, and addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of rural education systems.

The honor was presented during the university鈥檚 Rural Summit, held June 26-27 in Pueblo, Colorado, which convened educators, policymakers, and community leaders to tackle the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities.

Robinson, who has served nearly 40 years at UA 糖心视频logo and is the founding director of the Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education, said she was deeply moved by the recognition, which reflects both her personal roots and her professional contributions to rural education.

鈥淲hat I thought was very special to me is that even though I have worked in a metropolitan environment for 40 years, my rural roots are still there,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淚鈥檓 from a small farming community 70 miles north of Cheyenne, Wyoming, called Wheatland. I come from a family of rural educators.鈥�

Robinson noted that her grandmother once rode a mule to teach in rural Iowa, and both her aunt and mother were also rural educators.

鈥淩ural education is a part of who I am,鈥� she said.

The award highlights Robinson鈥檚 long-standing commitment to rural gifted education, much of it supported through 15 years of federal funding from the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. Her research and service projects have impacted both metropolitan and rural districts across Arkansas, especially a series of STEM programs that have explored engineering concepts for gifted and talented students in kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth grades.

Dr. Norma Hafenstein, director of the University of Denver鈥檚 Gifted Education Center and an organizer of the Rural Summit, said Robinson鈥檚 legacy in the field made her an ideal recipient.

鈥淚t is both an honor and joy to recognize an extraordinary individual whose research contributes meaningfully to advancing education in rural contexts which has left a profound impact on our rural research community,鈥� Hafenstein said. 鈥淎t her core, Ann believes in the power of teachers, the brilliance of children in all zip codes, and the responsibility we share to find and foster that brilliance. Her work has changed lives, not only through evidence-based practices and professional learning, but through the relationships she鈥檚 built and the hope she鈥檚 inspired.鈥�

Over the course of her career, Robinson has secured more than $30 million in external funding for research and professional development in gifted education. Her work emphasizes equitable access to challenging curriculum, especially for talented students from underserved communities. She is also a former president of the National Association for Gifted Children, the former editor of Gifted Child Quarterly,  and currently serves as a U.S. delegate to the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.

鈥淚 was actually in rural Sweden, at a conference with many rural educators, when I found out about the award,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淭o be surrounded by others who share that rural connection to the importance of place made it all the more meaningful.鈥�

The post Robinson Honored as Outstanding Rural Scholar in Gifted Education appeared first on News.

The program, 鈥淢T Stage: From the Bard to Broadway,鈥� is designed to nurture young, aspiring performers while building self-confidence through teamwork and talent exploration with a focus on Shakespearean adaptation. The summer program is provided at no cost to participants and is funded by an Academic Enrichment for the Gifted in Summer (AEGIS) grant from the Arkansas Department of Education.

The Jodie Mahony Center is accepting applications for current students in 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grades. Those selected will participate in the week-long summer program that takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 23-27 at UA 糖心视频logo.

During this five-day program, aspiring young performers will have the chance to reimagine 鈥�Romeo and Juliet鈥� in a fresh, creative way. Inspired by productions like 鈥�West Side Story,鈥� 鈥�& Juliet,鈥� and 鈥淕nomeo and Juliet,鈥� students will modernize scenes from Shakespeare鈥檚 classic tragedy, incorporating original song lyrics and unique interpretations.

Throughout the camp, participants will explore Shakespearean language鈥攍earning how to craft their own scenes using classic insults, adapt dialogue, and stage theatrical moments that blend music and drama. They will also receive training in basic stage combat with an emphasis on safety protocols.

The weeklong program emphasizes performance and creative expression through acting and music, culminating in a showcase where students will present their original scenes and songs. The Student Showcase Performance, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, June 27. 

Applications are due April 30 and may be filled out .

The post UA 糖心视频logo Will Host Free Summer Program in Musical Theatre for Junior High School Students appeared first on News.