Accelerated weekend programs available at Elgin Academy

Do you have a gifted middle-schooler with an interest in science?

The Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University offers weekend courses for academically gifted children in cities across the country.

On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24, students have the opportunity to explore disease prevention and control (grades five and six) or genetics (grades seven and eight) with experts in the field at Elgin Academy.

Students dedicate weekdays to mastering the core curriculum. The Accelerated Weekend Experience provides students the opportunity to delve into a favorite area of interest with a community of peers who share their passion for the subject.

In the course “Disease Detectives,” future epidemiologists work together to investigate real-life situations and tackle issues of public and global health. This course will be taught by the California “Iron Science Teacher” who, in 2012, studied at the Center for Disease Control with their Science Ambassador Program.

Led by a practicing genetic counselor, young geneticists in the course “Genes, Heredity and Genetic Counseling” learn how genes are inherited, interpret test results and solve mystery diagnoses for genetic orders. The Stanford-trained geneticist will also share her current work at the UIC Cancer Center.

Classes run on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day at Elgin Academy.

Applications are now being accepted for CTD’s Accelerated Weekend Experience in Elgin. Financial assistance is available. For information on the program, and to register, visit www.ctd.northwestern.edu/sep/program/awe or call (847) 491-3782, ext. 4.