SAN LUIS VALLEY — While many students spent the early days of summer relaxing in the sun, a motivated group of rising fourth- through seventh-graders from across the San Luis Valley are participating in something a little different: hands-on learning, problem-solving, and a whole lot of creativity. 

The GT Summer Academy, held June 16–27, was designed for Gifted and Talented–identified students as well as those in the Talent Pool. Funded through SLV BOCES, the academy offers unique enrichment opportunities at two school sites, with four engaging courses that gave students the chance to explore new skills and dive deep into areas of interest. 

At Sanford School District, students chose between “Make It, Break It, Build It,” where they designed and engineered projects from the ground up, and “Stemtastic Adventures: Science that Sizzles,” which featured exciting hands-on experiments that brought science to life. 

Over at Sargent School District, the focus was on real-world applications and investigation. “Rolling into Business: Owning a Food Truck” introduced students to the basics of entrepreneurship and business planning, while “Crime Lab: Solving Mysteries like a Forensic Scientist” gave them a glimpse into forensic science and problem-solving techniques. 

The success of the program was made possible through the collaboration of educators and leaders from across the valley. A special thank you goes to Kimba Rael (Centennial School District), Andrea Davis and Shelley David (Sargent School District), and from SLV BOCES: George Welsh, Cheryl Franklin-Rohr, and Robin Shirley-Granville, who all played key roles in planning and organizing the event. 

Thanks to their efforts — and the enthusiasm of the students — the GT Summer Academy provided a meaningful and memorable learning experience that helped students stay curious and connected even while school was out.