Dissecting squids and other hands-on activities: GER²I’s Super Summer program

First and second grade oceanography students dissected squids and crabs to explore their anatomy, an activity normally reserved for middle and high school students. Kindergartners learned about solar energy or studied paleontology, geology, and dinosaurs. Third and fourth graders engineered earthquake-resistant model buildings or solved crimes by learning investigation skills such as blood and DNA analysis.

All of these fun learning activities took place at the Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute’s (GER²I) Super Summer (SSUM) – a weeklong, academic enrichment day camp for students in grades K-4.

“Super Summer attracts students seeking classes focusing on interdisciplinary topics that are typically not taught in regular schools. Courses are challenging, hands on and encourage creative thinking, problem solving, and exploration of student interests,” said Nielsen Pereira, director of GER²I and associate professor of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies. “Our program also facilitates the socioemotional development of the students through the Community of Talents curriculum which emphasizes skills such as collaboration, communication, and responsibility.”

The program’s day-long, interdisciplinary courses are geared at least two grade levels above each student’s current school grade. Components from all disciplines are included at every level, so each child will gain experience in engineering, math, science, social studies, art, and language arts, while working on open-ended activities that require critical and creative thinking.

The 2024 program’s two sessions took place at Purdue University’s College of Education from June 9-20, 2024.

Alia Pineda Medina, a graduate student in the Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies doctoral program, served as the Program Coordinator for the 2024 SSUM and will continue in that role through 2025.

“As the coordinator of Super Summer, I work behind the scenes to prepare the camp and ensure everything runs smoothly throughout its duration,” Pineda Medina said. “The best part of the job is the kids! It brings me joy knowing they not only enjoy their classes but also form new friendships and bond with our staff. Each time I coordinate a program, I look forward to seeing our returning students.”

This year SSUM welcomed 155 five- to 11-year-old students who participated in one of 13 course offerings ranging from mathematics to art. Attendees came from all over Indiana – including Indianapolis, Kokomo, and Carmel; other states such as Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, and Kentucky; and one other country, Colombia. It was the last SSUM for some of the participants because next year they will transition to GER²I’s Summer Residential Program for 5^th-12^th graders.

“Our goal is for students to learn something new and develop their interests while also having fun,” Pineda Medina explained. “Students value an opportunity to go deeper into niche topics and to explore their interests – but even more than this, they become friends with likeable peers who share similar interests.”

Both the teachers and counselors are an integral part of the program’s success. Teachers are predominantly in-service teachers from West Lafayette and Lafayette, many of whom have been teaching for GER²I for several years. Counselors are Education undergraduates and current in-service teachers.

“This summer, we welcomed three new counselors from the College of Education, who bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our team. Their dedication and passion ensure a nurturing and engaging environment for all our campers,” Pineda Medina said. “Our Super Summer counselors are invaluable to the success of our camp, as they not only facilitate our Community of Talents, but also build personal connections and friendships with the students.”

GER²I staff  believes Super Summer has a great impact on the students who attend the program.

“One of the highlights of my summer is to see the high levels of enjoyment and academic challenge the students experience in Super Summer,” Pereira said. “We hope that the program will have a lasting impact on their academic performance, that they make new friends in our program, and will transfer some of the skills and knowledge they acquired in our programs to their daily school lives. We also hope that these students will become part of our GER²I family and continue to attend our program for many years. It is always exciting to see returning students year after year and to witness their academic and personal growth as many of them continue to attend our summer programs through the end of high school.”

For next year’s program, GER²I staff plans to continue focusing on the whole child and to offer cutting-edge classes that nurture students’ gifts, creativity, and talents. 

“Super Summer is full of excitement, learning, and fun – the way a summer camp ought to be!” said Kristen Seward, associate director and youth programs director of GER²I. “Generally, we adults underestimate what children can understand and do, and I love it when our GER²I Super Summer students surprise us with their insights and ability to grasp complex ideas.”

More info: GER²I Super Summer Program https://education.purdue.edu/geri/youth-programs/super-summer/

Sources: Nielsen Pereira, npereira@purdue.edu; Alia Pineda Medina, apinedam@purdue.edu; Kristen Seward, ksseward@purdue.edu 

2025 SSUM dates: June 9-13 and June 16-20