Where Passion Meets Education

 * Math Marathon (for Gr.3-5) gives students gifted in the area of mathematics an opportunity to experience and learn challenging, new math concepts. Math specialists present hands-on workshops in

three rounds during the course of a morning. The binary system probability and Trachtenberg addition are among the many hands-on topics that have been offered over the years.

* Junior Model United Nations is a simulation several months in duration. Students in Grades 7-8 form delegations of three persons, each of which represents a member nation of the UN. Delegates research the history/geography of their member nation, address major world issues from the perspective of that nation, and develop resolutions to bring before fellow members on Junior Model UN Day. On the morning of that day, delegates meet in committees to finalize the resolutions to be discussed at the afternoon's plenary session of the General Assembly. At that time, resolutions are presented, debated

and voted upon. 

*  Workshop on the Arts is a two-day event in art, vocal music, instrumental music, dance, drama, and creative writing. Students choose two of the six art areas in which to interact with professionals from the entertainment community in sixty-minute workshops. Students are then placed into Production groups where they create their own skit involving original script writing, acting, dancing, set designing, composing, and singing. On the second day, it’s LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! when students perform their interpretation of a given scenario. (Grades 6-8)

*  Spelling Bees, one for Gr, 3-4-5 and another for Gr, 6-8, afford students opportunities to apply their excellent knowledge of spelling rules and exceptions, and mastery of phonics, in competition against super spellers from many schools/districts. First place winner in each Bee wins a savings bond as well as a trophy; other top winners earn trophies; all participants receive ribbons.

*  Learning Carnival is an opportunity for Gifted and Talented students in Grades 3-5 to broaden their interests while they take part in numerous challenging, hands-on workshops, in areas or dimensions new to attendees, repeating them in three rounds during the course of a morning. Mock trials, chess, cartooning, STEAM, forensic medicine and advertising are but a few of the diverse topics presented over the years.    

*  Debate is the most challenging level of public speaking offered. In the NJCGTP debate format, students research, prepare, and present timed speeches and rebuttals in support of or against a given resolution. Many high-level skills are necessary: researching, assessing sources, critical thinking, persuasive writing, editing, critical listening, oratory, and extemporaneous public speaking. A comprehensive training workshop for debate coaches is offered in the fall to explain the Consortium’s debate format and to provide lesson plans that can be used to prepare students for the Consortium’s debate tournament, held in May. This coaching workshop is repeated in February. Each district may send up to two JV teams (Grades 5 - 6) and two Varsity teams (Grades 7 - 8), with each team consisting of two Affirmative speakers, two Negative speakers, plus one timer/alternate. Coaches must also bring one trained adult judge per team to the tournament; judges training workshops are held in May. Winning teams at both the JV and Varsity levels earn plaques for their schools. Top Affirmative and Negative teams win trophies.

* Living Voices …. An Oral History Project  It is well recognized that it is important to listen to the experiences of our community leaders, our grandparents, and even our parents to gain an appreciation for the history of a time or location. But it is also critical to capture the voice; the dialect, the accent, and the emphasis to truly create a whole picture. Capturing the oral record is easier now than it has ever been – and with the loss of one of the most influential generations ever in our history, time is of the essence.

* STEM/STEAM Adventures (Gr. 2+3) Students will challenge themselves while working together in groups to explore three different activities relating to technology, engineering and mathematics.  They will help each other as they must follow directions, utilize trial and error, and test their creations for strength and stability.

* STEAM MACHINES (Gr 5&6, 7&8) The task changes on an annual basis and is determined by Rube Goldberg, Inc. or past tasks that are appropriate.

This year will be will be fully virtual. All Teams and machines will be evaluated on three (3) categories by a panel of judges - JUDGES use their personal judgement and point of view to evaluate your team and machine.

· Invent a machine that will perform a simple task!

· This year’s task specifications and rules will be emailed to each participating district’s teacher on a particular day. Student Video submission due date will be announced.

· All machines must be built by the students and should not have parent involvement.

There are multiple awards to win in the following categories: 

MACHINE STRUCTURE - CREATIVE SPARK - SPIRIT OF HILARIOUS INVENTION

* CHESS Tournaments (grades 3-5) and Grades (6-8) The Game of Kings Students will bring their Chess playing skills to compete in this great competition. Students bring their strategies and skills to compete with students from other districts at their level of play (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced).  Chess players compete in a Round Robin style Chess Tournament.  Each group of 6 will play 5 games with a win earning 1 point, a loss 0 points and a stalemate 1/2 point.  Students play one touch rule, are allowed to use Blitzing/Scholar's mate, en passant, and are expected to know the name of the pieces, how the pieces move, basic opening and closing moves, and how check, checkmate, and how to stalemate if possible.

This year we are adding optional online tournaments for middle school players for interscholastic practice.  Each group of 4 will play 3 games during these virtual events and can be played from home after school.   

Then in May there will be two in person tournaments.  One for elementary school students Grade 3-5 and the other for middle school students Grades 6-8. Districts are required to provide one referee for every 12 students that they bring.  Referees will be asked to monitor games and record results of games.   

* Interpretive Reading Competition

(Tournament is for Grades 6 -8 , one team of up to 5 students per district) 

Interpretive Reading is the most basic event in competitive Forensics Public Speaking, developing a student’s poise, speaking voice, expressiveness and appropriate hand gestures.  For our tournament each student will prepare and read a 4-5 1/2-minute piece consisting of a portion of a professionally published short story or novel. Training is provided in the fall enabling teachers to serve as coaches and judges.  (An unlimited number of students may participate in your district, but you will need to then hold an in-house tournament in order to create the team attending our live Consortium Tournament.) 

* Virtual Nature Scavenger Hunt Challenges (Fall AND Spring Competitions!)  

Grades K-2 ,3-5 and 6-8 

Explore the landscape surrounding your world as you collect requested items or photograph your finds in the field.  Enjoy a nature walk as a class around your school grounds, have students explore as a team in a local park or nature trail, or plan for students to forage in their own backyards;  the search parameters and number of students on a team are up to you.  Each team will then prepare a slide show artfully displaying their finds.  Entries will be judged on accuracy, creative methods of display, and the unique location of one or more finds.  New, exciting items to search for each time you enter! 

* Do You Want to Build a ??? Mystery Engineering Challenge Competition

Students in grades K through 8 will be given an engineering challenge that is specific to their grade level.  Students will film a presentation of their mystery build and explain how it is connected to a specific virtue. Students will submit their finished videos for judging.

* Jr. Virtual Workshop on the Arts Competition  (grades 3 to 5) 

Students in grade 3, 4, and 5 are invited to showcase their theatrical, musical, and artistic talents in this virtual competition.  Students will be given a specific scenario or challenge with detailed requirements and instruction.  Students then upload their entries to be viewed by a panel of guest judges who are experts in the arts. Students may enter as dancers, vocalists, instrumentalists, designers, or actors. 

* Cardboard Engineering Challenge Competition (Grades 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) Students at all grade levels will be challenged to use cardboard to create a specific engineering project. Details of the challenge will be emailed to participating teachers on a specific date. Students will make a short video of themselves with their project including a short explanation of how they made their competition entry. Students will submit their finished videos for judging.

* Poster Competition(Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8)

This activity will be offered as a virtual competition. Teachers will receive poster topics for each of 3 grade level groups (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) with the day to launch. 

Last year's Super hero powers was a great success.  We were impressed with diverse topics and sensitivity to social emotional needs. 

Students will design and create a poster to align with their grade level's topic, including a brief description. Teachers will select the top posters to photograph and submit to the competition via email by the given deadline. Posters will be judged on artistic merit, clever adherence to the theme, and creativity.