Gifted Boys Conference
(7th-grade boys only)
January 10, 2013
| Conference Schedule |
| 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. |
Registration |
| 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. |
"Why I Love Engineering" by Dr. Nathan Huntoon |
| 11:15 a.m. - 12 Noon |
Breakout Session* |
| 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. |
Complimentary Box Lunch |
| 1 - 1:50 p.m. |
Breakout Session* |
| The Gifted Boys Conference is offered through the Gifted Students Institute (click here for the GSI home page). |
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Nathan Huntoon, Director, SMU Innovation Gymnasium
Dr. Huntoon graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He immediately went to work for the U.S. Navy as a Civil Servant working at China Lake Naval Weapons Center in California. He received both his MSEE and his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from SMU. Dr. Huntoon founded the SMU Robotics Club in late 2006. The purpose of the club is to give undergraduate students real design problems, and have them work on interdisciplinary teams. Dr. Huntoons work on the Robotics Club brought him to the attention of the development team for the Innovation Gymnasium. As Director of the Innovation Gymnasium, Dr. Huntoon is responsible for developing and leading student design projects. In addition to running the Innovation Gymnasium, Dr. Huntoon also teaches Senior Design in the EE Department at SMU.
Is there a Doctor in the House? - Stories from the E.R
Pintu Amratlal M.D., Emergency Room Physician
Have you ever wondered what an E.R. physician does? And what it takes to be a doctor? Come listen to stories about what really happens in the E.R. In addition, come hear about the amazing research that is being done in the fields of Emergency Medicine. Learn about what it takes to be a doctor and what are some things that you should be doing to learn about an exciting career as a physician
The Future is Nearer Than You Think
Randy Trevino—SMU Admissions Counselor
College is a time to grow personally, intellectually, socially, mentally, and physically. With over 3,000 colleges in the country, the options for post-high school life are enormous. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to selecting a college. What do you want to study? What types of classes do you want to engage in and share your opinion? What goals do you have for the future? Come learn about how to be successful when making the step towards college life.
The Politics of Memory & the Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement: Reflections on the 50th Anniversary Season
Dennis Simon, Ph.D., Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor, Political Science, SMU
We are in the midst of a 50th anniversary season in which we commemorate a number of landmark events in the Civil Rights Movement. The talk will examine those events, highlight the major legacies of the Civil Rights Movement, and consider the role of race and the memory of the movement in contemporary American Politics.
He Said/She Said
Abigail Bartoshesky, Ed.D., Clinical Associate Professor, Education, SMU
Have you ever wondered whether men and women are speaking the same language? Do we ask the same questions? Do we discuss the same topics? Do we speak and listen in the same manner? In the field of linguistics, the study of language, researchers examine and analyze conversations in order to investigate these sorts of questions. In this break-out session, we will discuss your own observations about language and explore some of the research findings on the similarities and differences between men and women in language and communication.
The Science of Speed
Kenneth Clark, SMU Locomotor Performance Laboratory
Are you a sports fan? Have you ever wondered how your favorite athletes run so fast? This presentation will explore the scientific factors that determine sprinting speed and other aspects of athletic performance. The session will also cover how an interest in sports and exercise can be developed into a career in Applied Physiology and Biomechanics.
Mars A New Frontier
Kurt Chankaya— Aerodynamics Engineer, Member of the Mars Society
Have you wondered what possible new frontiers may open up in the future? Come for a discussion on the exploration of Space, and in particular, Mars. We’ll talk about the past and ongoing robotic explorations of Mars, and some of the challenges and possibilities of how human exploration could be done in the near future. We’ll also discuss the natural resources available on Mars, and how these could support a human colony living and thriving on a new frontier.
Meadows Museum
Meadows Museum Docents
Travel through 1000 years of Spanish history on a guided tour of the Meadows Museum. One of the largest collections of Spanish art outside of Spain, the Meadows Museum is home to many great masters such as Goya, Ribera, Velazquez, Picasso, El Greco, Miro, Rodin, and Giacometti. Come see our collection of Spanish masters in a new light!
Psychology of Success
Ann Batenburg, Ph.D. Clinical Assistant Professor, Education, SMU
Which Mindset are you? A fixed mindset believes in natural ability, that one is born with a certain amount of talent or intelligence, and one can do little to change it. A growth mindset believes that one can always change one’s basic ability. This presentation will explain the mindsets and their consequences.
Conference Location
The Gifted Boys Conference will be held on the SMU campus. A map (click here to link to SMU's online map site), parking directions, and confirmation letter will be faxed to the participant's school within two days of receiving the registration. Space is limited; please make reservations early.
Parking
Click here for the bus parking and student drop off map. For those driving cars,
click here for a visitor parking map.
Conference Fee
The conference registration fee per person is $45. The registration fee for boys who are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program is only $10. The Conference is limited to 7th-grade boys and their teachers/sponsors, but each teacher who registers five boys will receive a free registration. Breakfast is NOT provided, and the light lunch (included in the registration fee) is not served until 12:15.
Registration
Complete a registration form (below) for each boy and adult attending (copy the form as needed). All boys must be accompanied by either a teacher or a parent, and there must be at least one sponsor for every ten boys. Due to space limitations, the conference is limited to seventh-grade boys and their sponsors. Notice that the form requires a Guardian's signature.
Registration deadline is January 7, 2013.
Please mail all of the registrations for any one group of boys sponsored by the same adult together in one packet with a check or purchase order payable to SMU/GSI. Requests for refunds must be received seven days before the lecture/workshop; otherwise no refund will be made. Cancellation prior to one week will be refunded less a $15 handling fee; a check for the balance will be mailed in 3 to 4 weeks. Registrations and payment information must be sent to:
Gifted Students Institute
Southern Methodist University
PO Box 750383
Dallas TX 75275-0383
Click here for a PDF registration form.
Contact Information
Phone: 214-768-4383
Fax: 214-768-3147
e-Mail: gifted@smu.edu