Gifted Program
Connie Gibson
Gifted Education Coordinator, 9-12
412-833-1600, ext. 3154
cgibson@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Tom Yochum
Gifted Education Coordinator, 7-12
412-833-1600, ext. 2522
tyochum@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Gifted Enrichment Options
AP, Honors, and International Baccalaureate Classes
Apprenticeships (AIU): Open to students in grades 9 - 11 who will be in grades 10 - 12 in September; apply in May for September participation; offered through the Allegheny Intermediate Unit; students must provide own transportation; held during the school day; each apprenticeship has different time requirements.
PA High School Computer Fair: Regional contest held in Pittsburgh in early March with winners going on to State Finals at Dickinson College; students use their computer skills and creativity to enter a project in one of several categories: animation, logo, digital movie, graphic design, programming, or web page design.
Essays for Applications: Writing "stand out" essays for college applications, scholarships, and other programs; (Generally for Juniors and Seniors.)
Fine & Performing Arts: Participants will attend performances and exhibits of the symphony, ballet, museum, and the Pittsburgh theaters as the opportunities arise.
Future Problem Solving: A total of three 3-hour sessions and three 2-mod training sessions in school during the months of October, December or January, and February; state competition in April; international competition in June; open to any grade level; students compete as a team of four to complete packets based on various future scenes; some independent research required.
Independent Apprenticeship: Student-generated apprenticeship; open to any grade level; student may shadow a professional in the area of interest; student must provide his or her own transportation.
Mock Trial: Students train in cooperation with volunteer lawyers from the community; practice is after school and/or evenings when the mentoring attorney is available; students compete as a 12-member team; lawyer/witness roles are determined each year through tryouts; runs from late November through mid-February.
Model United Nations / Model European Union: Simulations Students participate in workshops with Global Solutions Pittsburgh & the World Affairs Council, research and write about an assigned country and current global issues, and attend two simulations (typically in November and December) to represent the assigned country and its international positions; open to grades 9-12.
NASA/Space Science-Related Opportunities and Competitions: Ongoing; Students are made aware of competitions, projects, and special opportunities offered through NASA and other space organizations; opportunities range from heavily science/engineering-oriented to art to journalism; students participate on an individual or team basis, depending on the activity.
Pennsylvania Governor's Schools of Excellence Extremely selective residential summer programs in the Sciences (at CMU), Agricultural Studies (at Penn State), and Engineering Technology (at Lehigh); applications require essays, resume, and letters of recommendation; no cost to students selected; application process is excellent preparation for college applications students will do the following year; Governor's Schools are open to juniors, but both sophomores and juniors may select this option if they wish to learn more about preparing to apply.
Pennsylvania Math League Competition: Participate once a month for six months (Oct. - March); 30 minutes per test; students participate as individuals
Performing Arts Participate in some aspect of the high school or community play(s) or musical(s); participants chosen by the appropriate individual(s); open to any grade level.
Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Competition: Student chooses a selection of Shakespeare to present at the Pittsburgh Public Theater; includes a coaching session; student may choose to do a monologue and/or a scene with others
TEAMS (formerly JETS) (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Math and Science): held in March; two divisions: grades 9/10 and 11/12; students compete in teams -- multiple choice math and science questions in the morning and essays related to engineering situations in the afternoon
Toshiba Exploravision Contest: Teams of 2 to 4 students select a technological development or invention; team then writes a ten-page paper discussing the history, cutting-edge, and future of that invention; team members also design a web site based on their paper (due by the end of January.) National winners receive $10,000 each.
Volunteers for Gifted Events: Volunteers are needed to facilitate events for younger students.
Westinghouse Science Honors Institute: Available to juniors only; apply in early September through Advanced Science classes; meetings held on approximately two Saturdays per month between October and March; students must provide own transportation and must attend at least seven Saturdays and participate actively.
World Affairs: Held in conjunction with the World Affairs Club; opportunity to attend seminars/ briefings/speakers sponsored by the World Affairs Council. Students will also be notified of other opportunities related to international affairs that may come up during the year.
Writing Competitions Ongoing; students are made aware of competitions/ opportunities available; students participate on an individual basis.