Gifted Studies

News from The Center: The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University honored more than 400 students for outstanding academic achievement today at Van Meter Auditorium. Read more here: wku.edu/news/articles/…

In less than a week, we will welcome the 2026 National STEM Scholars! Ten middle school teachers from eight states have been selected for this one-of-a-kind professional development experience. #middleschoolscience #middleschool

We’re excited to announce 10 middle school science teachers from 8 states have been selected as our 2026 #NationalSTEMScholars - a one-of-a-kind professional development experience! #STEM #STEMtraining #STEMeducation @gattonacademy @wku @giftedstudies prweb.com/releases/2026-…

Congrats to 2025 #NationalStemScholar Melanie Hardy for not one but two presentations at @NSTA in Anaheim last month including the Middle School Share-a-thon & a session titled “Using Art as a Tool for Data Visualization." Great job, Melanie! #STEM #STEMeducation @giftedstudies

Students attending our residential camps (SCATS and VAMPY) stay in Florence Schneider Hall, home to The Gatton Academy. This residence hall offers suite-style rooms and plenty of common space for activities. #mindsonhandson #summercamp #gifted

Today, we were happy to host Caden Lucas, a finalist for the 2026 Truman Scholarship and a former @GattonAcademy and SCATS student, at today's Advisory Board Meeting. Read more about the 2026 Truman Scholarship here: bit.ly/4siRxst #mindsonhandson #gifted #WKU

What kind of activities will SCATS campers enjoy outside of class? Residential campers spend their evenings and weekends participating in Paper Theatre, the Olympics, and more! Learn more: wku.edu/gifted/scats #mindsonhandson #summercamp #SCATS #giftededucation

Our 2025 #NationalSTEMScholars had a great time @NSTA Conference in Anaheim earlier this month and their Share-A-Thon was a huge success. What a great experience for them to share their Challenge Projects with educators from around the country! #STEM #ANA26 @giftedstudies

VAMPY Course Spotlight: Astronomy! Using real-world events and historical observations of exploding stars, students will figure out how gravity and motion govern objects in space. Learn more: wku.edu/gifted/vampy #mindsonahandson #summercamp #wku

VAMPY Class Spotlight: DNA & Genetics! This course will provide a scaffolded learning experience accessible to all students, starting with foundational genetics concepts and progressing to college-level genetics. Learn more: wku.edu/gifted/vampy #mindsonhandson #gifted

Save the Date for Fall Super Saturdays! Invite a student you know to join us on October 17, 24, and 31 for an exciting time. Applications and class descriptions will become available in September. #mindsonhandson #supersaturdays

Meet 2025 #NationalSTEMScholar Joshua Reese whose Challenge Project engages students in replacing petroleum-based plastics with sustainable, biodegradable alternatives derived from natural materials. #STEM #STEMeducation @gattonacademy @giftedstudies ow.ly/vZIt50YuW4Y

We are less than TWO months away from the first day of SCATS! Applications are still open to any advanced students in grades 6-8. Learn more and register: wku.edu/gifted/scats Reminder, financial assistance applications are only available until April 15. #mindsonhandson

Meet 2025 #NationalSTEMScholar Tracy Vassiliev whose Challenge Project engages students in designing and evaluating biodegradable plastic wrap made from plant-based materials. #STEM #STEMeducation @gattonacademy @giftedstudies nationalstemcellfoundation.org/projects/tracy…

Registration is open for our Advanced Placement Summer Institute workshops in four locations. Visit our website at wku.edu/gifted/ap/ to learn about workshops offered and register today! #mindsonhandson #AdvancedPlacement #APTeachers #APSI

VAMPY Class Spotlight: Mathematics! If you know any 7th-10th graders interested in discovering a new topic in math, this is the perfect course for them! Learn more about VAMPY: wku.edu/gifted/vampy #mindsonahandson #summercamp #wku

Why VAMPY? We asked parents of previous campers why they thought VAMPY is beneficial for advanced students. This is what they said! If you would like to learn more or apply, visit our website at wku.edu/gifted/vampy #mindsonhandson #gifted #summercamp

Meet 2025 #NationalSTEMScholar Michael Vigeant whose VR High Altitude Balloon Launch Challenge Project will send a series of student-designed and built instrumented high-altitude balloons into the stratosphere. #STEMeducation @gattonacademy @giftedstudies nationalstemcellfoundation.org/projects/micha…

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom! 🌸 WKU Global hosted their annual Ohanami festival. #WKU #SpringAtWKU #CherryBlossom #CampusLife

Meet 2025 #NationalSTEMScholar Lalita Khemka whose Challenge Project uses an underwater robotics program to modify a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to target, retrieve and sort plastic, aluminum and iron. #STEM #STEMeducation @gattonacademy @giftedstudies ow.ly/XQok50YszrT