Follow Us

Menu
Log in

Chicago Gifted Community Center

Creating connections - Creating community

In Chicago and the suburbs            

Log in

Welcome to our blog.   Please note that this page is open to the public, so any comments made by members will be visible to the general public also.  At this time, only members can make comments to the posts. 


  • October 04, 2016 8:50 AM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    CGCC member Catherine Gruener just published a new book. Catherine also is the creator, along with her son, of the CGCC Elmhurst Book and Social Clubs.


    Check out exclusive Sneak Peak and Excerpts from Parenting Young Gifted here: https://docs.com/catherine-gruener/6556/sneak-peak-parenting-young-gifted-children-what-to

    Parenting a young gifted child can be challenging. Combining current research with hands-on examples, this book offers readers insight, understanding, clarifications, and strategies for parenting young gifted children.

    Ebook: http://www.blurb.com/b/7380025-parenting-young-gifted-children?ebook=596372

    Paper Books: http://www.blurb.com/b/7380025-parenting-young-gifted-children


  • October 04, 2016 8:21 AM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    Looking for some new ideas? Member and CGCC Curiosity Hacked chapter co-leader, Elaine Luther, shared some of her favorite STEM resources.


    What to listen to and watch -


    SciGirls on PBS and online

    Dragonfly TV (old show)

    Tumble podcast (listen with your kids in the car.)

    Nova


    YouTube Channels:

    In a Nutshell

    SciShow

    SciShow Kids

    Crash Courses with John and Hank Green*  

    Veritasium


    * Be aware of the Anatomy course!  Some parents may or may not be ready for some of this content.



    Activities and classes:


    First Lego League

    First Robotics

    Science Olympiad

    Edgewater Workshop

    The Laboratory

    Kids Science Labs


  • October 03, 2016 10:52 AM | Deleted user

    This time of year is so stressful, as kids get adjusted to a new school situation and parents figure out what is expected of them by their children's teachers.  What is the one thing that causes you the most stress this time of year?  Contribute to our forum on stress!  Find the forum on the resources page of our website.  

  • September 17, 2016 11:22 AM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)
    Registration for IMSA's Fall Funshops is open and space is limited! IMSA's Funshops are unique hands-on STEM learning experiences for students in grades 3-6. Register today to secure your place.



    BrainSTEM  
    October 15, 2016, 10 a.m. - 12 noon

    This FUNShop will explore the amazingly complex landscape of the Central Nervous System---the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves.  Join us for hands-on exploration---it's a no brainer that your child will have fun!

    Registration closes October 6th, 2016

    Scholarship Application period ends October 1st, 2016

     

    Grades 3-4
    How does your brain get feedback from your body? How does your body end up responding to that feedback? Students will begin to answer these questions as they learn about the brain and neurons. They'll participate in a sensory experience collecting and analyzing data. They will also design and build a model of a neuron and create and take home a clay model of the brain.


    Grades 5-6
    The brain is the control center of the body, but how does it look and function? What substances can get to the brain and what substances are kept out?  Through an introduction to brain anatomy and physiology, students will investigate this fascinating organ. Activities include dissecting an actual sheep's brain and designing, building, & testing a blood brain barrier model.


    MYTHConceptions
    November 19, 2017 10 a.m. - 12 noon
     
    Do you believe everything you're told? In this session we will be investigating common STEM-related ideas that are widely assumed to be true, but may actually be false! Or are they, in fact, true? Join us as we put a wide array of MYTHconceptions to the scientific test.

    Registration closes: November 10th, 2016

    Scholarship application period ends: November 5th, 2016

    Grades 3-4
    Is there a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow? Does a balloon pop every time it is punctured? Learning through hands-on activities, students will explore these ideas from a scientific and testable perspective.


    Grades 5-6
    What really happens when pop rocks mix with soda? Is there a geometric challenge that can never be solved? Through experimentation, data collection, and analysis, students will search for the answers to these intriguing questions.

    Click here for complete details.

  • September 07, 2016 5:49 PM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    October 13–23 Chicago, IL

    For eleven days in October, the city’s top museums are joining together to celebrate Museum Week. Take advantage of discounted admissions, special exhibits, giveaways and more at each of the participating museums. Illinois residents will receive up to 25% off admissions at all museums. From culture to constellations, art to animals, this is your chance to experience Chicago’s most beloved institutions in a whole new way!


    Click here for complete details.

  • September 06, 2016 8:46 AM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    Registration is open for STEM Saturdays at Northern Illinois University. STEM Saturday classes help students explore interesting topics through hands-on activities and exciting demonstrations. Parents are encouraged to attend students' classes and get in on the fun. This season's offerings include methods of flight, chemistry investigations, computer programming and STEM activities for young divas.

    Age dependent on class. Most classes for ages 7 and up. Complete information can be found on STEM outreach web site.

  • August 08, 2016 1:35 PM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    The Midwest Torrance Center for Creativity based out of Northern Illinois University's Center for Gifted has just published their inaugural issue of the Torrance Journal for Applied Creativity. It is free and available online for anyone who is interested:http://www.centerforgifted.org/TorranceJournal_V1.pdf. You also can request a paper version to be mailed to you for $20.   


    They are also sponsoring creativity awards for students in creative writing, musical composition, visual arts, and invention for which the deadline is August 20. See here for more details:http://www.centerforgifted.org/torrance.html


  • August 05, 2016 7:57 AM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    From the Lake County Discovery Museum eNewsletter:


    FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION ALL MONTH LONG


    On September 1, the Museum will close its doors at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, pack up its vast collections and start the move to its new location in Libertyville. A grand opening is anticipated for late 2017. As our thank you for 40 great years at Lakewood, we are offering FREE admission during the month of August.

    Don't miss your chance to visit the Museum and view our current exhibitions before the end of the month. We will also be offering 70 percent off at the Museum gift store, and free giveaways all month long.

    To learn more about the move, or for progress updates, check LCFPD.org/museum. Follow us on Facebook for reveals of never-before-displayed collection items coming out of storage in preparation for the move.


  • August 01, 2016 7:17 PM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    From the Shedd Aquarium web site:


    Dive in with Shedd Aquarium and other Chicago-area 6th- through 12th-grade students to explore local ecosystems while earning service-learning hours! Spend a day outdoors monitoring, maintaining and improving habitats so you, your community and our native animals all have green spaces to enjoy. Past Shedd Stewards events have included removing invasive plant species, followed by canoeing in the Skokie Lagoons.


    Each Shedd Stewards event functions as a unique program, and within each program we incorporate different activities, focused on both stewardship and recreation. Specific program details will be sent to registered participants closer to each date.


  • August 01, 2016 7:15 PM | Linda Zanieski (Administrator)

    From the Shedd Aquarium web site:


    Do you have what it takes to be in the club? We invite you to be a member! Club Shedd is a semester long program for passionate and driven teens with an interest in science and aquarium careers. Each semester, teens work together alongside Shedd professionals, behind the scenes, in Shedd's Teen Learning Lab, and with amazing resources to develop solutions for real aquarium challenges. Club Shedd provides you with skill-building opportunities and workshops to tackle the challenges presented by Shedd partners. In the past year, teens have inspired and developed solutions that have impacted the aquarium in these projects:

    • Enriching animal habitats through sculpting and molding/casting
    • Modernizing gallery exhibits utilizing digital software and 3D modeling
    • Designing ways to engage Shedd guests with our surrounding gardens, local plant species, and even Shedd's bees!



About cgcc

The Chicago Gifted Community Center (CGCC) is a member-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by parents to support the intellectual and emotional growth of gifted children and their families. 

Become a member

We  are an all volunteer-based organization that relies on annual memberships from parents, professionals, and supporters to provide organizers with web site operations, a registration system, event insurance, background checks, etc. 

Contact us

info@chicagogiftedcommunity.org

© Chicago Gifted Community Center

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software