Exploring Gifted Programs in Arizona: A Visit to Weinberg Gifted Academy

Personalized Tour by Sixth-Grade Students

Two remarkable sixth-grade students, Sara and Emmy, guided Stephanie through the school, presenting an array of student projects displayed along every corridor and open space. These displays featured QR codes linking to detailed presentations, offering a digital dimension to their work.

Innovative Student Projects

The variety of projects on display highlighted the ingenuity fostered by gifted programs in Arizona. Among the notable projects were artful wings crafted by sixth graders and a marble track suspended mid-air. Each project required students to follow a comprehensive process, including:

• Initial sketch
• Scaled drawing
• Blueprint
• Scaled 3D model
• Final project
• Written reflection on lessons learned

Aviation Engineering: A Unique Learning Experience

A standout feature of the academy’s curriculum is its focus on real-world applications, such as aviation engineering. At the end of the year, a pilot visits the sixth graders to discuss the engineering behind aviation. Inspired by this talk, the students form small teams to design and build foam gliders. This project not only encourages teamwork but also allows each student to add a personal touch to their glider. The culmination of this project is a thrilling test flight off the back of the bleachers, where students can see how far their gliders soar.

Preparing for the Future

These gifted programs not only at Weinberg Gifted Academy, but around Arizona, are crucial in preparing students for future academic challenges and opportunities. The students at Weinberg are not only ready to soar with their gliders but also poised to succeed as they transition to middle school and beyond.

For more information on gifted programs in Arizona and how they are shaping the minds of future innovators, stay tuned to our blog and visit the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented website.