Victoria Independent School District

If your child is fourth or fifth grader receiving gifted services this year:

Surviving and Thriving on Mars (TPSP): In this task, students will analyze Maslow's hierarchy of needs and assess whether these needs are met in their lives. They will research the Mars One project and other Mars colonization missions, evaluating how each level of Maslow's hierarchy is addressed for the colonists. Students will then design a product to meet a specific need of the Mars colonists and survey others to gauge interest in their proposal. The results will be represented using graphs, charts, and tables.​

Cleaning an Oil Spill (EIE): Students will use their understanding of ecosystems to engineer a process for cleaning up an oil spill. Students will also investigate other possible sources of air and soil pollution and use pH level data to draw conclusions. ​

Food Science: This unit focuses on nutrition and what nutrients are and why it's important to have a balanced diet. Students will also be learning about digestion and how the body stores the nutrients that we need. The final project is a presentation organized by the student to summarize nutrition, digestion, and health. ​

Brain Teasers and Critical Thinking (STEM): Students will create a series of brainteasers that involve patterns. Brainteasers can include numbers, shapes, colors, and a combination of strategies. The only rule or constraint is that each brainteaser must follow a logical pattern.