Heard of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, MATHCOUNTS and National Geographic's National Geographic Bee?  There are many  scholastic competitions which can be used as a way to structure and create the incentive for learning, allowing children to delve into a subject more deeply than is possible in a regular classroom, and provide for social outlets that gather gifted children not typically available in classroom settings.  This session will provide an overview of the benefits of academic competitions, some of the competitions available, and some practical advice for parents whose children wish to compete.

Presenter, Maurine Neiberg is the mother of two gifted daughters, one a sophomore at the Illinois Math and Science Academy and one a college freshman (and IMSA alumna).  She has helped coach middle school competitors in math, science, robotics and spelling competitions, and organized the Roosevelt Middle School Spelling Bee for many years. Her children have joyously and often successfully participated in a variety of academic competitions, including FIRST LEGO League, MATHCOUNTS, Department of Energy National Science Bowl, ARML (as part of the Chicago All-Star team) among many others.  In 2008, her elder daughter participated in the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which was televised nationally in prime time on ABC, where she finished in fourth place.

Free, but please register.