BSI is the U of Iowa's most selective middle school program, and it's a great time for talented students to do a deep dive into their favorite subject and connect with peers with similar interests. In order to attend the BSI summer opportunity a student must be nominated by a teacher and then selected for entry by the University of Iowa.
Eight exciting classes await the very best and brightest 7th and 8th graders this summer:
·Math Problem Solving
·Advanced Science
·Social Studies
·Global & Cultural Studies
·Invention & Innovation
·Creative Writing
·Performing Arts
·Visual Arts
The Blank Summer Institute for the Arts & Sciences is a one-week residential summer program held at The University of Iowa for 120 of Iowa’s gifted students who are currently in grades 7 & 8. The Institute provides exceptionally talented students with an intensive and advanced educational experience designed to enhance their intellectual and social growth.
The Institute is administered by The Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.
Each student selected will receive a $325 Myron and Jacqueline Blank Summer Scholarship to cover a portion of the Institute’s cost.
Cost
Each student selected for the Institute will receive a $325 scholarship which covers a portion of the Institute's costs. Each student will pay a fee of $700 to cover the remaining costs. (Check the BSI website to confirm cost and prices vary slightly from year to year).
Together, the scholarship and the student fees cover all instructional costs, room, board, books, and admission to all regularly scheduled activities.
Students and their families will assume responsibility for transportation to and from the Institute and incidental expenses, such as souvenirs and snacks.
Consideration for financial aid, in addition to the Scholarship, will be made after the students are selected. You will be able to apply for financial aid when you register for the program.
Families have three options for payment of fees:
Pay the entire amount on a credit card.
Pay in three equal installments using a credit card.
Students who are currently in grades 6-8 may nominate themselves for the Junior Scholars Institute (JSI), a one-week residential summer academic program at The University of Iowa for Belin-Blank Center students.
Students take a single advanced level course for the entire week. Each student selected will receive a $325 scholarship to cover a portion of the cost of the Institute.
Any student who is currently in 6th-8th grades is eligible for participation. Because this is a self-nomination program, all qualified students should apply. Students do not need to be in a talented and gifted program to nominate themselves.
Classes include...
Leadership for Students Who Want to Make a Difference
Robot Theater
Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Environmental S.T.E.M.
Engineering and Health Science: Exploring a Real-World Problem
Design for Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
Wonder Woman Unleashed
Mixed Media Art Workshop
Cost
Each student selected for the Institute will receive a $325 scholarship which covers a portion of the Institute's costs. Each student will pay a fee of $700 to cover the remaining costs.
(Check the BSI website to confirm cost and prices vary slightly from year to year).
Together, the scholarship and the student fees cover all instructional costs, room, board, books, and admission to all regularly scheduled activities.
Students and their families will assume responsibility for transportation to and from the Institute and incidental expenses, such as souvenirs and snacks. Consideration for financial aid, in addition to the Scholarship, will be made after the students are selected. You will be able to apply for financial aid when you register for the program.
Families have three options for payment of fees:
Pay the entire amount on a credit card.
Pay in three equal installments using a credit card.
University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center Additional Opportunities
During the Academic Year: Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academywww.belinblank.org/ioapa The Belin-Blank Center partners with Apex Learning to provide free online Advanced Placement (AP) courses to Iowa high school students who do not have access to traditional, brick-and-mortar AP courses. The program was designed with students from small, rural schools in mind, but it is not exclusive to that population. We also provide free online, instructor-led AP Exam Reviews each spring, available to any Iowa high school student whose school is registered with the Iowa Online AP Academy. Beginning in Fall 2015, the Iowa Online AP Academy is expanding to offer above-level, AP-preparatory coursework to select Iowa middle school students. Commuter Programs Blast - University of Iowawww2.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/students/summer/Classes.aspx?P=Blast Blast is an academic commuter program for members of the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS). This program offers half-day classes at the University of Iowa and full-day classes in Ankeny (Des Moines area) for elementary students. Residential Programs National Scholars Institute (NSI) - University of Iowawww2.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/students/summer/Classes.aspx?P=NSI Students currently in grades 9-11 may nominate themselves for the National Scholars Institute (NSI), a one-week residential summer program. Experiencing college life while living, studying, and playing in university classrooms, laboratories, dining halls, and recreational centers, students take a single advanced level course for the entire week. (There are two sessions available for this program.) Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP) - University of Iowa www2.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/students/summer/Classes.aspx?P=SSTP Students currently in grades 10-11 may nominate themselves for the Secondary Student Training Program (SSTP), a five-week residential summer research program at The University of Iowa. Students conduct scientific research in university laboratories under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students will also produce a research project/paper as a part of the program. World Languages Institute (WLI) - University of Iowawww2.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/students/summer/Classes.aspx?P=WLI Iowa students who are currently in grades 9-11 may nominate themselves for the World Languages Institute (WLI), a two-day residential summer academic program at the University of Iowa. Students take Spanish, French, Japanese, or Chinese for two full days. Each student selected will receive a scholarship to cover the entire cost of the Institute.
Opportunities Close to Home
SEAL Summer Enriched & Accelerated Learning
Our LOCATION this year has changed to WITCC. We are excited about this partnership and are hopeful it can lead to further connections for inquisitive students!
DATES Students may register for one session or both. Session I, June 19-30 Session II, July 10-21 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. AGE GROUPS. CURRENT Kindergarten – 8th grade students. Parents will be notified if classes of appropriate age groups/abilities do not fill, so they can adjust accordingly. **Incoming first graders should read at least at a 3rd grade reading level for SEAL to be a good fit. Otherwise, a program offered by Beyond the Bell, the museums or art center, or 4H/Woodbury County Extension might be a better option. If there are others I should recommend, please let me know. **For students in middle school: While the middle and high school teachers are ready to challenge our 6th-8th graders, I do highly recommend the USD Summer Science and Music Camps, because the residential experience is something SEAL can't do for you. They do have tuition assistance available, so please don't hesitate applying. They DO fill, so apply ASAP! If you are able to travel, the University of Iowa, Belin-Blank Center summer residential programs are outstanding, as well. COST Tuition $190 per student. At this time, we are not able to adjust the cost for multiple family members attending. Tuition assistance is still available, as we want SEAL available to all students who need it regardless of income. More information will be provided on the registration form when it is available. I am currently working on fundraising, so I cannot yet say how much will be awarded in scholarships. If any of you have a relationship with a local business or professional who might like to sponsor students from your school district, you can always help your students secure scholarships! I can give you more information about this if you want to contact someone yourself. REGISTRATION The registration form will be shared as soon as everything is cleared through SHIP, WITCC, and transportation! PARTNERSHIPS. SEAL is still a SHIP (Siouxland Human Investment Partnership) non-profit program, meaning we can still seek and accept charitable donations to help ensure all can attend. WITCC has also newly partnered with SEAL this year, providing the facilities and hopefully some connections within departments, as well. OTHER If you have other questions, please feel free to contact [email protected] or Erin Pinney at 712-898-1097.