Parent's Corner:

• GT Links
  Websites for Parents of G/T Students – I found that each of these has numerous links, articles and points of interest. Hopefully you will too.
  www.cec.sped.org – The Council for Exceptional Children
  http://www.cec.sped.org
  
  www.ecetag.org – The Association for the Gifted (TAG)
  http://www.ecetag.org
  
  www.nagc.org – The National Association for Gifted Children
  http://www.nagc.org
  
  www.SENGifted.org – Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
  http://www.SENGifted.org
  
  www.hoagiesgifted.org – Hoagies’ Gifted Education
  http://www.hoagiesgifted.org
  
  www.gifted-children.com – Gifted-Children: Identification, Encouragement and Development
  http://www.gifted-children.com
  
  www.gtworld.org – GT World
  http://www.gtworld.org
  
  www.gifteddevelopment.com – The Gifted Development Center
  http://www.gifteddevelopment.com
  
  www.davidsoninstitute.org – Davidson Institute for Talent Development
  http://www.davidsoninstitute.org
• 2007 - 2008 Competitions
  PARENTS AND KIDS: Interested in Science, Math, Engineering, or Creative Writing contests and competitions?
  Would you like a fun challenge and maybe win a trip to a Regional or National Final?
  Would you like to win scholarships, savings bonds, or computers?
  
  Check out the links below for a sample of Contests!
  
  eCYBERMISSION: Sponsered by the U.S. Army, a web-based science, math and technology competition for 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th grade teams. Your team will propose a solution to a real problem in your community and compete for regional and national awards. http://www.ecybermission.com/base_public.cfm?url=38500C5F40530E011C27501A1D4A564C
  
  Future City: sponsored by The National Association of Engineers, Future City Competition provides a fun and exciting educational engineering program for 7th and 8th grade students that combines a stimulating engineering challenge with a "hands-on" application to present their vision of a city of the future. This requires a teacher sponsor and an Engineer Mentor.
  
  http://www.futurecity.org
  
  National Space Day: Annual Event celebrated the week of May. Each year, students may enter a challenge through their school. Regional winners are selected to come to Washington DC for National Space Day. This year: Living on the Moon
  
  http://www.spaceday.org/conmgmt/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=229&op=page&SubMenu=
  
  Science Fiction Writing Contest:L.A.con IV, the 2006 World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), in conjunction with Baltimore Worldcon 1998, Inc., a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is sponsoring the ninth annual Student Science Fiction & Fantasy Contest for the best short story with a science fiction or fantasy theme, the best science fiction or fantasy artwork, and the best science essay.
  
  The deadline to submit entries for the 2006 Student Science Fiction and Fantasy Contest will be 31 March 2006.
  
  http://www.bucconeer.worldcon.org/contest/2006ContestForm.pdf
  
  TOYchallenge: A national toy design challenge for 5th-8th graders - NOTE - at least half of the team must be GIRLS. A chance for teams of imaginative kids to create a new toy or game. Toys are a great way to learn about science, engineering, and the design process. That's why astronaut Sally Ride brought Hasbro, Sigma Xi, Southwest Airlines, and Sally Ride Science™ together to launch this challenge!
  
  
  
  http://www.toychallenge.com/index.shtml
  
  Virginia Scholastic Chess: This is not exactly a contest, but this is the web site for the Virginia Scholastic Chess Association, which sponsors chess tournaments around the state.
  
  http://www.vschess.org
• Help Steer Your Children to Succes- Explore Career Options
  We all want our children to enjoy the American Dream. But unless we prepare them now for the careers of tomorrow, a ‘better life’ may always lie just beyond their reach. Current economic forecasts are clear: Some of the greatest job growth – and best compensation – will occur in scientific, engineering and advanced technology-related fields.
  
  Jobs in these disciplines are now growing at four times the national average. Old barriers to entry are dissolving as major firms compete over limited talent pools. Greater diversity has become the workplace norm. Interdisciplinary teamwork and group problem solving are the hallmark of successful research and development projects. And excellent people skills are just as important as technical know-how for those seeking advancement.
  
  The resource links below were compiled by the Junior Engineering Technical Society and will help you prepare your child to prepare for a future career in engineering and technology. There is a thorough list of student competitions, financial aid information links, and hands-on learning tools.
  
  As an important influence in the life of your child, we recommend these web resources:
  
  A parent primer on the purpose of career exploration from the Florida Department of Education.
  
  The National Association of Colleges and Employers recently published article, Parents Have Their Say…About Their College-Age Children's Career Decisions. It provides background research on the role of parents in career choice.
  
  The parent guide to Exploring Interests and Goals from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education lists many activities that you can do with your children.
  
  Review the materials that we have placed under the Education and Student Tabs. There are many resources that will help you encourage your child to consider a career in engineering.