Search Database

For Gifted Students: Places to Go

• Organizations: International

  InterGifted

  InterGifted is an adult community and an adolescent community of nearly 1,000 gifted peers which also offers qualitative giftedness assessments, gifted coaching & mentoring, gifted therapy search & advocacy, workshops/courses, training for helping professionals working with gifted clients, and literature and advocacy on gifted personal development.
  

  International Spy Museum (Washington, D.C.)

  The mission of the International Spy Museum is to educate the public about espionage in an engaging manner and to provide a dynamic context that fosters understanding of its important role in and impact on current and historic events. The Museum focuses on human intelligence and reveals the role spies have played in world events throughout history.

  Natural History Museum (London, UK)

  The Natural History Museum's web site allows those interested biodiversity, minerology, paleontology, entomology, zoology and more to take a peak at the museum's collections. Read about current research or view live online lectures by professionals in the field.

  Project World School

  This organization provides short-term (15-30 day) travel programs specifically for teens who homeschool or do some sort of self-directed learning. Also offered are annual family retreats.

  The Leap

  The Leap offers gap year placements which combine multiple locations and volunteering project opportunities in a single trip. This means students challenge both their minds and bodies, while making a positive difference and satisfying their desire for travel and adventure, all at once.

• Organizations: Local

  Atlanta History Center (Atlanta, GA)

  The Atlanta History Center in Atlanta, Georgia offers programs & education as well as tours of the museums, houses, and gardens located at the center. Learn all about the rich history of Atlanta.

  Cass Railroad (Cass, WV)

  An old (1901) lumber camp with its steam locomotive have been converted into a state park. The buildings and log flumes have been restored. You board the steam engine at the bottom of the mountain, ride up to the town, and explore at your leisure. It is great for train lovers, history lovers, and nature buffs as well.

  Center for Puppetry Arts (Atlanta, GA)

  The Center for Puppetry Arts is a unique cultural treasure located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. During the past 25 years, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry, and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops and the hands-on Museum, as well as Distance Learning and Outreach Programs.
  

  Center of Science and Industry (COSI) (Columbus & Toledo, OH)

  The Center of Science and Industry offers an array of educational resources. Their website includes online interactive experiences, simple science experiments, the latest science news, and more educational programs. The COSI science center offers interactive Learning Worlds, theaters, an outdoor science park and exhibit galleries.

  Denver Museum of Nature and Science Youth and Family Programs (Denver, CO)

  Workshops offer your child the opportunity to investigate the Museum's unique collections and specimens, venture into various cultures, and wonder at the human body through activities, experiments, and crafts. We also offer parent-child workshops, so you can explore the world together. The Adult Programs Department offers a year-round selection of courses, workshops, and lectures for the 18-and-older crowd. Classes are on subjects ranging from Artifact Illustration to Space Art, and slide
  presentations from visiting scientists and Museum curators.

  Discovery Cove (Orlando, FL)

  Discovery Cove is for the entire family, featuring once-in-a-lifetime, up-close and one-on-one encounters with dolphins and other exotic marine animals.

  EcoTarium (Worcester, MA)

  The EcoTarium is an ecology museum located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The museum includes a planetarium, animal exhibits, a "tree walk," train ride for young children, and many hands-on exhibits. Special educational programs are frequently offered. The mission of the EcoTarium is to promote appreciation, increase knowledge and foster stewardship of New England environments by stimulating learning about the world in which we live.

  Exploratorium (San Francisco, CA)

  Housed within the walls of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a collage of over 650 science, art, and human perception exhibits and serves as a leader in the movement to promote museums as educational centers. The Exploratorium was founded in 1969 by noted physicist and educator Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, who devoted his efforts to it -- and was its director -- until his death in 1985.

  Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Atlanta, GA)

  This 160,000 square foot museum, the only natural history museum in the world located in a natural environment, opened in 1992. In 2001 Fernbank became the first museum in the world to display the world's largest dinosaur, Argentinosaurus. This gargantuan sauropod is now a permanent feature in the Museum's 86-foot tall atrium along with the world's largest carnivorous dinosaur, Giganotosaurus, a flock of pterosaurs and a variety of other contemporaneous species in the Museum's newest permanent exhibition, Giants of the Mesozoic.

  Fiske Planetarium (Boulder, CO)

  There are interesting shows on astronomy, physics, and space science at the Fiske Planetarium. These are on a regular basis and are appropriate for children of all ages. "The planetarium environment has a unique "surround" environment provided by no other medium. It immerses the audience in a three-dimensional dome that is capable of reproducing the night sky at any place on Earth and any time in history."

  Franklin Institute Science Museum (Philadelphia, PA)

  The Franklin Institute Science Museum is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their Web site offers many online exhibits as well as information for teachers.

  High Museum of Art (Atlanta, GA)

  This Atlanta art museum offers an impressive high art collection from various periods, as well as folk art and photography.

  Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum (New York, NY)

  The Museum has many excellent exhibits ranging from actual artifacts to relevant installations about current events such as Intrepid Remembers 9.11 and Defending our Future. Ride in the A-6 Cockpit Simulator, visit the Virtual Flight Zone or spend all day on beautiful ships overlooking the Hudson River!

  Legoland - California Resort (Carlsbad, CA)

  Legoland is a fantastic themepark, located in California just north of San Diego. It is not nearly as crowded as Disneyland, and has great rides, shows, and fun activities. The rides include the Dragon Coaster (a mild roller coaster), the TechniCoaster (a fast roller coaster with a big drop and fun turns), and the AquaZone Waveracer (where you might get wet). There is also a great play structure. Children will also have a chance to build, program and control their own robots after creating them from scratch.

  Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

  The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one of the premier university museums in the country.
  The collections span the globe and the centuries. The Carlos maintains the largest collection of ancient art in the Southeast with objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Near East, and the ancient Americas. The Museum is home to collections of 19th and 20th-century sub-Saharan African art and European and American works from the Renaissance to the present. The Office of Educational Programs at the Michael C. Carlos Museum offers a wide variety of engaging programs for the Emory community, children and families, and students and teachers. Programs include lectures, concerts, tours, and workshops.

  Museum of Comparative Zoology (Cambridge, MA)

  This is a great museum with lots of great collections. The Museum has twelve departments - Biological Oceanography, Entomology, Herpetology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Invertebrate Zoology, Mammalogy, Marine Biology, Mollusks, Ornithology, Population Genetics, and Vertebrate Paleontology. They also have publications available to members: Breviora, Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Checklist of Birds of the World, Nuttall Ornithological Club, Occasional Papers on Mollusks, OEBServer Ornithological Gazetteers of the Neotropics, PSYCHE (A Journal of Entomology).

  Museum of Mathematics (New York, NY)

  Opening in December 2012, The Museum of Mathematics is being founded in response to the closing of a small museum of mathematics on Long Island called the Goudreau Museum. The new Museum of Mathematics will go well beyond the Goudreau in both scope and methodology by enhancing public understanding and perception of mathematics. It will offer various exhibits and activities related to mathematics as the only museum of its kind in the United States, giving visitors opportunities for hands-on math programming.
  

  Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago, IL)

  The Museum of Science and Industry's mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone. We inspire by making our exhibits, collections and content accessible to all of our audiences through informal, hands-on experiences. Why inspire? We can only guess how many youngsters decided to become biologists or doctors, geneticists or chemists or rocket scientists, right here.
  

  New York Hall of Science (New York, NY)

  New York City’s only hands-on science and technology center. The Hall features more than 225 hands-on exhibits on biology, chemistry and physics. There are also Astroclub Meetings twice each month. Hidden Kingdoms, World of Molecules, Science Playground, AIDS, Realm of the Atom, Sound Sensations are just some of the amazing areas to explore.

  Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia, PA)

  The Philadelphia Zoo is known as America's first zoo.
  Throughout its history, America's first zoo has played a monumental role in educating the public about exotic animals, promoting and participating in worldwide conservation efforts for endangered wildlife, and providing exceptional recreational opportunities for families.

  The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (Baltimore, MD)

  Visit The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, located in the heart of Druid Hill Park, and begin a journey around the world that will bring you face-to-face with more than 2,000 amazing animals.

  Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery (Nederland, CO)

  The Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery offers year-round, hands-on educational programs to people of all ages to foster a lifelong appreciation of the environment and to promote an environmentally aware, responsible and ecologically sound community. Summer programs, school year programs, and outreach programs are available.

  Winterthur Museum, Enchanted Woods (Winterthur, DE)

  Discover the magic of a fairy-tale garden with a visit to Enchanted Woods, a unique children's garden at Winterthur. In a three-acre plot of the Winterthur Garden, the fairy folk created a magical landscape for children of all ages! Canopied by majestic oak trees, Enchanted WoodsTM has been taken over by the woodland fairies who live here and is transformed into a place of enchantment, mystery, and discovery. From the Tulip Tree House to the Faerie Cottage, children will find a new world to explore.

  Youth Writing Festivals at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI)

  The Youth Writing Festivals at Calvin College are for young people in grades 1-12. They include a writing contest and workshops for young writers featuring established authors and illustrators.
  

• Organizations: National

  Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia, PA)

  The Academy of Natural Sciences, established in 1812, is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the Americas. It's recognized internationally for its vast collections, research, exhibits, and educational programs. The Academy’s collection of over 17 million cataloged natural history specimens and artifacts is among the 10 largest in the U.S.

  American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) (New York, NY)

  The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has advanced its global mission to discover, interpret and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education and exhibition. The Museum is renowned for its exhibitions and scientific collections, which serve as a field guide to the entire planet and present a panorama of the world's cultures.

  Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) (Batavia, IL)

  Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) advances the understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and energy by providing leadership and resources for qualified researchers to conduct basic research at the frontiers of high energy physics and related disciplines. Fermilab conducts basic research into particle physics. The laboratory grounds offer an ample supply of open country for various recreational activities. From picnicking on the restored prairie to bicycling on their series of trails, you will find Fermilab's campus to be an endless source of outdoor enjoyment.

  Folger Shakespeare Library (Washington, DC)

  The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library located on Capitol Hill. A magnet for scholars from around the globe, the Folger is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, as well as magnificent collections of other rare Renaissance books and manuscripts on all disciplines—history and politics, theology and exploration, law and the arts.

  Gettysburg National Military Park (Gettysburg, PA)

  This was the site of the largest Civil War battle ever waged in the Western Hemisphere. The Battle of Gettysburg opened on July 1, 1863 and closed two days later with the climactic "Pickett's charge". Historians have referred to the Battle of Gettysburg as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy".

  Kennedy Space Center (Orsino, FL)

  Where else in the world do history and the future, nature and technology, young and old meet for an unforgettable and inspirational journey through space and time? The Kennedy Space Center has hosted millions of guests from around the world for more than 30 years -- telling the story of how the United States built a space program that launched men to the moon, orbited satellites that have improved our lives, and sent probes into distant space to solve the mysteries of the cosmos.

  National Historic Site: Martin Luther King, Jr. (Atlanta, GA)

  The Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site includes a number of facilities that are operated in partnership with the National Park Service, Ebenezer Baptist Church and The King Center. Within these facilities the visitor can learn about Dr. King's life and and his influence on others.

  National Women's Hall of Fame (Seneca Falls, NY)

  In 1969, a group of women and men of Seneca Falls created the National Women's Hall of Fame, believing that the contribution of American women deserved a permanent home in the small village where it all began. The Hall is home to exhibits, artifacts of historical interest, a research library and office. The National Women's Hall of Fame, a national membership organization, holds as its mission: To honor in perpetuity these women, citizens of the United States of America whose contributions to the arts, athletics, business, education, government, the humanities, philanthropy and science, have been the greatest value for the development of their country.

• Organizations: Regional

  Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (Dayton, OH)

  The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is based on the understanding that science is the process through which we come to understand our world, and that play is the way children do science. Thus, we are a place where play and learning come together so that visitors of all ages can explore the wonders of the world.

  Boston Museum of Science (Boston, MA)

  The Boston Museum of Science features permanent and changing exhibits on biology, astronomy, paleontology, geology and technology. It also has live animal exhibits, a planetarium and educational programs.

  Crayola Factory Tour (Lehigh Valley, PA)

  The Crayola FACTORY® is full of exciting hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Explore the different studios and discover new materials and techniques. Don't miss our special Workshop Studio programs. We offer everything from storytelling to artist-in-residence programs.

  Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (Cortez, CO)

  The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center initiates and conducts archaeological research, hosts public education programs and is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the ancient Pueblo Indians, who inhabited the American Southwest. This Center hosts archaeology summer camps for middle school students ages 8-12 and high school students. Attendees can be part of an ongoing research project working alongside professional archaeologists, learn excavation techniques by digging at a real archaeological site and work with artifacts in the lab. The camps are held for one-week with a three-week High School Field School option for students to earn high school or college credit.

  New England Aquarium (Boston, MA)

  The mission of the New England Aquarium is to increase understanding of aquatic life and environments, to enable people to act to conserve the world of water, and to provide leadership for the preservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources. This mission is fulfilled through exhibits, and through education, conservation and research programs. Exhibits showcase the diversity, importance and beauty of aquatic life and habitats, and highlight critical aquatic conservation issues. Programs emphasize species, habitats, and issues critical to New England.
  

  Seaworld and Busch Gardens - Animal Education Programs (Multiple Locations)

  Seaworld offers a variety of educational program and camps for students at their various locations across the country. Their educational programs are great for class field trips, homeschool students and K-12 students.

• Organizations: State

  Arizona Science Center (Phoenix, AZ)

  This Phoenix-based science center is one of the most interactive facilities in the country. Childrens' programs include a series of science camps (ages 6-11), computer classes and more. With over 300 hands-on exhibits, a giant-screen theater, a computerized plantetarium, multimedia classrooms and more, the Arizona Science Center is sure to keep students busy for hours. A number of teacher resources are available as well.

  California Academy of Sciences (San Francisco, CA)

  Founded in 1853 as the first scientific institution in the West, the California Academy of Sciences' mission is to explore and explain the natural world. With eight scientific research departments, the Academy's natural history collections are utilized by scientists from around the world. Our scientists discover, collect and study invaluable specimens of animals, plants, minerals and anthropological artifacts from around the world.
  

  Delaware Museum of Natural History (Wilmington, DE)

  The Delaware Museum of Natural History opened its doors in 1972 to excite and inform people about the natural world through exploration and discovery. Encounter life-sized dinosaurs, look beneath the seas, experience an African watering hole, come face-to-face with a jaguar, marvel at the diversity of birds and shells from around the world.

• Printed Materials: Periodicals/Reports & Studies

  Disney Family

  This family magazine is designed to provide ideas that families can do together, including travel, food, crafts, parties, holidays, games, activities, and products.

• Schools & Programs: College Affiliated

  MIT Educational Studies Program - Splash (Cambridge, MA)

  For one weekend each November, thousands of students of all types attend MIT for ESP’s Splash program. From music theory to Hungarian history to aircraft analysis, Splash participants are introduced to a huge variety of topics in over 400 classes taught by undergraduates and other members of the MIT community.

• Schools & Programs: Independent

  En Famille

  This non-profit organization was established in France in 1978. It arranges long-term language immersion exchanges for students ages 9-16. American students are paired with a student of their own age in France, Spain, or Germany. After the two are matched, they spend a year together: six months in their own country, with their own family, and six months with their exchange partner’s family. Teens 14 and up can participate for a period of as short as three months.
  

  ISA High School

  ISA High School has been a leading provider of high-quality, affordable, cultural and language immersion programs for high school students since 1989. Their mission is to provide students with a transformative experience aimed at fostering independence, cross-cultural sensitivity and global citizenship. Based in Austin, Texas, ISA High School works closely with fully-accredited foreign universities and the ISA High School resident staff in each program location to provide cultural activities, tutoring services, language exchanges, volunteer opportunities, and numerous possibilities for improving language performance. Students earn college credit, experience another culture and explore the area around their program city through cultural excursions.

  The Traveling School (Bozeman, MT)

  The Traveling School is a semester-long program for girls 15-18 who wish to enhance their traditional academic experience with an overseas adventure. This non-profit is dedicated to the values of building self-esteem, increasing tolerance, creating cultural awareness, and encouraging academic exploration.
  Students earn full academic credit for seven semester courses in math, history, science, language arts, foreign language, PE, and global studies. The innovative and interesting curriculum takes full advantage of the environment and the culture overseas. The Traveling School works with students and their regular home high schools to ensure students receive full academic credit towards graduation.

  THINK Global School (TGS)

  THINK Global School (TGS) is an agile, mobile school with an expansive world view. It gives its students a profound understanding of the complexity of global issues and the ways they intersect with our everyday lives. TGS is a private non-profit high school that travels the world, allowing the students to study in three new international cities each academic year. Students travel to a different international city every trimester, learning the history and culture of each city – all based in a rigorous academic curriculum.
  

• Summer Programs: International

  Abbey Road Programs

  Abbey Road Programs offers two-, three-, and four-week programs in the United States as well as Spain, France, Italy and other European countries. Abbey Road incorporates experiential learning in all daily classes. Student can learn and improve foreign language skills while interacting with locals during real-life situations; and lessons involving art, history and culture occur on-location throughout the host community. Students will live in either modern apartments, with host families, or hotels, depending upon the program choice.

  Academic Study Associates (ASA) (Multiple Locations)

  Choose from several Academic Study Associates (ASA) programs that allow students to travel, learn, have fun and experience other cultues. Whether you want to improve your SAT scores, explore exotic locations and cultures, take challenging classes, improve your language skills, and discover experiences with new friends, ASA has a variety of academically challenging and socially exciting programs.
  

• Summer Programs: Southern Region

  Green River Preserve (Cedar Mountain, NC)

  Located on a 3,400 acre private wildlife preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina near Asheville, this is a summer camp where a community of bright, creative children and talented staff connect with the joy and wonder of nature. By participating in non-competitive yet challenging activities, campers find they are free to be “their best me.” Built on a foundation of respect, Green River Preserve is designed to nurture the heart, develops the mind, strengthens character and heightens the appreciation for the natural world.

• Websites & Other Media: Informational

  Children's Museum Database

  This interactive website sponsored by the Association of Children's Museums contains a searchable database of national and international children's museums.

  Discover Engineering

  This website provides information on interesting tours and sites around the United States involving engineering. Do you realize that everything around you that makes your life easier and more fun, nearly everything that make our economy go, has been created by an engineer? So when you take a trip - either around your neck of the woods or around the country - you'll find countless sights that help tell the engineering story. The sights listed here are certainly not the only ones, but they're a sampling of activities creative marvels, and thrills that will help get you started. Take a look: Engineers turn ideas into reality!

  Factory Tours USA

  This website celebrates American imagination and industry. What better way to appreciate those qualities than to visit and tour America at work. The information on this site is maintained by many people throughout the United States who enjoy visiting American industry. Simply click on a state and see what factory tours are available!

  Louvre Museum Website

  The Louvre Museum's official website features information about the famous museum in France, including the history of the Louvre, collections of art, a virtual tour, latest happenings, and more.

  United Planet - Gap Year Volunteering

  United Planet Quests are designed to be immersive, authentic, comprehensive and provide students with everything they need to succeed. The program elements allow students to engage fully with a new culture, forge strong relationships, and challenge themselves. Most importantly, United Planet partners with communities to ensure student experiences will be important, relevant and helpful.

  World Science Festival (WSF)

  The World Science Festival brings together great minds in science and the arts to produce live and digital content that presents the wonders of science and the drama of scientific discovery to a broad general audience. The Festival’s flagship live event is an annual weeklong celebration and exploration of science in New York City. World Science U is the Foundation’s online education arm where students and lifelong learners can dive more deeply through artfully produced digital education content presented by world-renowned scientists.

• Websites & Other Media: Learning Tools

  National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI)

  NSLI-Y participants are encouraged to further develop their skills throughout their university education and professional lives. After serving as unofficial representatives overseas, participants remain engaged in the international arena. Their insight into other cultures and languages will play a lasting role in shaping their lives and communities.