FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Barbara O'Donnell, UNI College of Education, (319) 273-2724

Vicki Grimes, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI to offer weeklong conference for teachers of talented and gifted students July 10-14

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — CONTAG 2000, organized by the University of Northern Iowa Department of Curriculum and Instruction Monday through Friday, July 10-14, will provide teachers with practical tools, materials and strategies for working with talented and gifted students. All sessions will be at the Best Western Starlite Village, Waterloo.

For 16 years, this annual “Conference on Talented and Gifted— CONTAG” has focused on curriculum differentiation to meet the needs of gifted students. Disciplines covered include science, social studies, reading and language arts, mathematics and the expressive arts. Some 60 teachers and presenters are expected to attend.

“Working with the talented and gifted is a uniquely challenging and demanding job," says Barbara O'Donnell, conference director and a UNI instructor in education. “CONTAG 2000 will give teachers up-to-date information, materials and activities.”

Guest speakers will include Jonathan Plucker, University of Indiana; and Katie Claus, education consultant on brain research, Columbus, Neb. Plucker will speak on problem-based learning and how gifted educators can use this educational practice to enhance students' learning experiences. Claus will address current research on how children learn and what educators can do to facilitate the process.

Presenters include Jackie Wilcox, University of Dubuque; Ed Zaccaro, school board member/gifted mentor, Bellevue; Dennis Schroeder, Dubuque Community Schools; Ana Houseal, Hoover Middle School, Waterloo; Linda McCartney, Area Education Agency 6, Marshalltown; Chad Guge, teacher consultant for Geographic Alliance of Iowa and a teacher at North Scott High School, Eldridge; Jim Maltas and Jacquelin Smith, both from Price Lab School, Cedar Falls; Steven Brust, a Minnesota author of science fiction books for young people; and Lucille Lettow, children's librarian at UNI's Rod Library.

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