#GTChat

Global #gtchat sponospred by the Texas Association for Gifted and Talented (TAGT) is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Central Time Zone. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.

Want to learn or practice another language? Try World Nomads!

For more information, please click here.

Brain Health Series: Part 4: Your Brain and Mental Fitness

Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and shouldn’t be ignored. Mental fitness is important to maintaining good brain health and as well as body health, especially as you age. There are many types of mental dexterity exercises, and the best part is you don’t need to go to the gym to do them. They include active ones, such as learning a new song or playing a game, or restful ones, such as relaxation and visualization exercises.

Mental fitness means keeping your brain and emotional health in good shape. It refers to a series of exercises that help you slow down, think clearly, decompress or perhaps boost a foggy memory. Thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active and improve upon your mental fitness through practice. There are various strategies that can be used to protect and improve memory. Here are some suggested ways to obtain mental fitness:

• ·       Hold discussions with friends and family about a wide range of topics. This gives your brain an opportunity to explore, examine, and inquire.
• ·       Challenge your intellect and memory. Stretch yourself mentally by learning a new language, doing the cryptic crossword, or by playing chess. This is important for brain health and good for your social life as well.
• ·       Read often and read widely. Keeping an active interest in the world around you will help to exercise your brain and improve your mental fitness.
• ·       Take up a new hobby. Learning something new gives the ‘grey matter’ in the brain a workout and builds neural pathways in the brain.
• ·      Take up a manual activity or craft. Hobbies such as woodworking and sewing or skipping rope require you to move both sides of the body at the same time, in precise movements. This can help to improve your spatial awareness and increase your reaction time.
• ·       Exercise your brain with others. Watch, question and answer game shows and enjoy the competitive spirit. Involve the entire family in regular games to test their general knowledge.

Many think that multitasking enables them to get more things done at once, but it actually creates more problems than it solves. Studies show that focusing on one task at a time improves your concentration and helps you to be more productive.

New experiences can also set you on the path to mental fitness. You can fit new approaches into your daily life in a variety of ways such as trying new foods as you explore new cultures, invent new ways to accomplish routine tasks, travel new places virtually or physically, or try a new route to the grocery store or your work.

Games that test reasoning and other portions of your brain are fun ways to keep your mind sharp. Try crossword puzzles, board games, Sudoku, or online daily mental quizzes to increase your brain strength. 

Schedule a mental fitness break into your calendar right next to your workout schedule. Including mental dexterity exercises into your daily routine can help you reap the benefits of a sharper mind and a healthier body for years to come. Your mind and your health are worth it!

Sources:

http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/mental-fitness#overview1

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/tentips/10%20tips%20to%20improve%20your%20mental%20fitness

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/6-simple-steps-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-at-any-age

Build Your Brain Power - Due 2/15/2018

Looking for some fun and educational family activities? Check out Build Your Brain Power activities. Learn about historic Austin and explore science and math activities. Families that participate and submit a family photo by February 15, 2018 will receive a family certificate. 

Overcoming Test Anxiety

OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY 

Most students experience some level of anxiety during an exam; however, when anxiety affects exam performance it has become a problem.

Test preparation to reduce anxiety:

• Approach the exam with confidence: Use whatever strategies you can to personalize success: visualization, logic, talking to yourself, practice, team work, journaling, etc. View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've studied and to receive a reward for the studying you've done.

• Be prepared! Learn your material thoroughly and organize what materials you will need for the test. Use a checklist.

• Choose a comfortable location for taking the test with good lighting and minimal distractions. • Allow yourself plenty of time, especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early.

• Avoid thinking you need to cram just before.

• Strive for a relaxed state of concentration.

• Avoid speaking with any fellow students who have not prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparation.

• A program of exercise is said to sharpen the mind.

• Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam.

• Don't go to the exam with an empty stomach. Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress. Stressful foods can include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour products, chips and similar snack foods, foods containing preservatives or heavy spices.

• Take a small snack, or some other nourishment to help take your mind off of your anxiety. Avoid high sugar content (candy) which may aggravate your condition. During the test:

• Read the directions carefully.

• Budget your test taking time.

• Change positions to help you relax.

• If you go blank, skip the question and go on.

• If you're taking an essay test and you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may trigger the answer in your mind.

• Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for being the first done.

Excerpted from Overcoming test anxiety. Study Guides and Strategies. Retrieved 06/12/2009 from http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt, and distribute individual in print format in noncommercial educational settings that benefit learners.

C-SPAN Student Cam Contest - Due 1/18/2018

StudentCam is C-SPAN's annual national video documentary competition that encourages students to think critically about issues that affect our communities and our nation. 

This year students in grades 6-12 are asked to create a short (5-7 minute) video documentary on a topic related to the new 2018 competition theme, "The Constitution & You: Choose a provision of the U.S. Constitution and create a video illustrating why it's important to you."

With cash prizes totaling $100,000, C-SPAN awards prizes to 150 student documentaries, and 53 teacher advisors. 

For more information, click here.

Brain Health Series: Part 3: Your Brain, Sleep, and Relaxation

Did you know that not getting enough sleep is not healthy for your brain? New research shows that sleeping less than seven or eight hours a night has been linked to cognitive decline, memory loss, and possibly even Alzheimer's disease.

A sleep deficit can have dangerous implications for your brain, and not just because it makes you sleepy during the day. Parts of your brain are several times more active at night than during the daytime. One of them is a newly discovered drainage system called the glymphatic system. This is a bit like your city's sewage and recycling system. Its job is to clear out and recycle all toxins in the brain. One protein actively recycled during sleep is amyloid plaque. This plaque is the hallmark of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by many factors, but one of these may also be sleep deprivation.

A University of Pennsylvania study found that extended wakefulness can injure neurons essential for alertness and cognition, and that the damage to these neurons might be permanent. Other studies have led scientists to conclude that chemicals secreted during the deeper stages of sleep are crucial for repairing the body, including the brain.

One of the chemicals involved in creating memories, acetylcholine, is also developed during sleep and dreaming. Brain cells that produce acetylcholine are destroyed in people who are developing Alzheimer’s disease. So, these people do not dream as much.

Relaxation and meditation or mindfulness has been found to be very beneficial to brain and body health.  Deep relaxation and meditation, when practiced regularly not only relieve stress and anxiety but have been found to improve mood. Deep relaxation has many other potential benefits as well—it can decrease blood pressure, relieve pain, and improve your immune and cardiovascular systems

The brain requires substantial downtime to remain industrious and generate its most innovative ideas. According to Tim Kreider, of the New York Times, "Idleness is not just a vacation, an indulgence or a vice; it is as indispensable to the brain as vitamin D is to the body, and deprived of it we suffer a mental affliction as disfiguring as rickets,"

Let’s get a good nights sleep, remember to relax, and meditate. do it all for the health of our brains and become better thinkers in the process!

Sources:

https://healthybrains.org/pillar-sleep/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/rest-relaxation-and-exercise

Daily Practice for the New SAT

For more information, please click here.

ENCORE conference: Empowering Students in the Digital Age - 11/11/2017

Webb Middle School is hosting its annual ENCORE conference: Empowering Students in the Digital Age on 11/11/2017 from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.. This year's host is KEYE's Chris Saldaña, a two-time Emmy-winning TV anchor. Programming includes workshops for families, a holiday dinner and a screening of the award-winning "Screenagers." Free and open to the public. For information, contact Margaret Bachicha at 512-414-4196.

East Austin Studio Tour - 11/11-12 and 11/18-19/2017

 

 

For more information, click on this link.

Congressional Essay Contest - Due 12/01/2017

The National Society of Colonial Dames opens annual essay contest for students in grades 10-12. Information at http://nscda.org/student-resources/congressional-essay-contest/ . Essays due 12/01/2017. Contact Jessica Jolliffe (Jessica.jolliffe@austinisd.org) 512-414-4690 with any questions.

• Why did the authors of the United States Constitution give Presidents the power to issue Executive Orders? How did Congress and the Judicial Branch limit these orders?

Texas Young Masters Grant Opportunity - Due 11/05/2017

Applications for the Texas Young Masters program are open to talented 8-11 grade artists to further their studies in their chosen field with a $5,000 grant. Apply at http://ow.ly/nH3o30g680E. Deadline: 11/15/2017. For more information, contact Juliana Castillo at 512-414-9851 or juliana.castillo@austinisd.org

How can a study group benefit you?

STUDY GROUPS 

A study group can be helpful when you are trying to learn information and concepts and preparing for class discussions and tests. 

Benefits of a Study Group 

A study group can be beneficial in many ways. Here are the most important benefits:

1. A support group can "pick you up" when you find that your motivation to study is slipping. The other group members can be a source of encouragement.

2. You may be reluctant to ask a question in class. You will find it easier to do so in a small study group.

3. You may become more committed to study because the group members are depending on your presentation and participation. You will not want to let them down.

4. Group members will listen and discuss information and concepts during the study sessions. These activities add a strong auditory dimension to your learning experience.

5. One or more group members are likely to understand something you do not. They may bring up ideas you never considered.

6. You can learn valuable new study habits from the other group members.

7. You can compare your class notes with those of the other group members to clarify your notes and fill in any gaps.

8. Teaching/explaining information and concepts to the other group members will help you reinforce your mastery of the information and concepts.

9. Let's face it - studying can sometimes be boring. Interacting with the other group members can make studying enjoyable.

Getting a Study Group Started 

Study groups don't just happen. Here is what you should do to get a study group started:

1. Get to know your classmates by talking with them before class, during breaks, and after class. When selecting a classmate to join your study group, you should be able to answer YES for each of the following questions:

o Is this classmate motivated to do well?

o Does this classmate understand the subject matter?

o Is this classmate dependable?

o Would this classmate be tolerant of the ideas of others?

o Would you like to work with this classmate?

2. Invite enough of these classmates to work with you in a study group until you have formed a group of three to five. A larger group may allow some members to avoid responsibility, may lead to cliques, and may make group management more of an issue than learning.

3. Decide how often and for how long you will meet. Meeting two or three times a week is probably best. If you plan a long study session, make sure you include time for breaks. A study session of about 60 to 90 minutes is usually best.

4. Decide where you will meet. Select a meeting place that is available and is free from distractions. An empty classroom or a group study room in the library are possibilities. AP DIGEST An Advanced Placement Program Student Resource Advanced Academic Services Austin Independent School District

5. Decide on the goals of the study group. Goals can include comparing and updating notes, discussing readings, and preparing for exams.

6. Decide who the leader will be for the first study session. Also decide whether it will be the same person each session or whether there will be a rotating leader. The leader of a study session should be responsible for meeting the goals of that study session.

7. Clearly decide the agenda for the first study session and the responsibilities of each group member for that session.

8. Develop a list of all group members that includes their names, telephone numbers, and email addresses. Make sure each group member has this list and update the list as needed.

Characteristics of a Successful Study Group 

Once started, a study group should possess the following characteristics to be successful:

1. Each group member contributes to discussions.

2. Group members actively listen to each other without interrupting. Only one group member speaks at a time.

3. The other group members work collaboratively to resolve any concern raised by a group member.

4. Group members are prompt and come prepared to work.

5. The group stays on task with respect to its agenda.

6. Group members show respect for each other.

7. Group members feel free to criticize each other but keep their criticisms constructive. This can encourage group members to reveal their weaknesses so that they can strengthen them.

8. Group members feel free to ask questions of each other.

9. At the end of each study session, an agenda including specific group member responsibilities is prepared for the next session.

10. Above all, the positive attitude that "we can do this together" is maintained.

Possible Pitfalls of a Study Group 

A study group can be a very positive learning experience. However, there are pitfalls to be avoided. Here are some cautions:

1. Do not let the study group get distracted from its agenda and goals.

2. Do not let the study group become a social group. You can always socialize at other times.

3. Do not allow group members to attend unprepared. To stay in the group, members should be required to do their fair share.

4. Do not let the session become a negative forum for complaining about teachers and courses.

5. Do not allow one or two group members to dominate the group. It is important that all members have an equal opportunity to participate. The information you just read will help you decide when a study group is appropriate for you and will help ensure its success.

How-to-Study.com (2009). Study groups. Mangrum-Strichart Learning Resources. Retrieved online 6/12/2009 from http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/studying/38/study-groups/ For educational purposes only. Not for commercial distribution.

Texas Book Festival - 11/4-5/2017

For more information, please click here. 

Festive map can be found here.

Invent it. Build it! Event (Society of Women Engineers)

Brain Health Series: Part 2: Your Brain on Food

Are you eating the right foods to feed your brain? Brain health is very dependent on a healthy diet. This is true for growing kids and aging adults as well. The brain represents about 2% of an adult’s weight, but it uses 20% of the energy produced by the body. If the energy supply is not adequate to fuel this energy, people may experience a variety of symptoms, including memory or concentration loss, and fatigue.

An appropriate diet is especially important for the brain health of adolescents. During teenage years, the body and the brain undergo many physical changes. What kind of food a teen eats, how much they eat, and when they eat can affect a teen’ attention span, the ability to focus, and memory capabilities. This translates into how well a student learns and performs in school.

Doctors are finding that what's good for the heart may also be good for the brain. Protecting the blood vessels by following a heart-healthy diet also protects the brain. Many of the same cardiovascular risk factors have been shown to be risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Eating a heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated fat not only reduces the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, but also can also protect your brain cells and prevent memory loss. Eating high-quality foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress.

What types of foods feed our brain the best? Below is a suggested list of brain healthy foods:

• Extra virgin olive oil: This is a healthy source of fat in the diet and can help reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Some studies have linked olive oil with a lower risk of ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease.

• Oily fish such as salmon, herring, and mackerel: This is an excellent source of omega-3, which your brain needs to stay healthy.

• Berries and other deep-colored fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, spinach, beetroot, and beans: These foods are high in antioxidants, which help guard against disease by protecting cells in the body and brain from damage.

• Foods containing ‘good fats’: Foods containing polyunsaturated fatty acids like nuts, seeds, fish, leafy green vegetables, and monounsaturated fatty acids found in avocados and nuts may reduce your risk of both depression and dementia.

• Dark chocolate: It contains high levels of antioxidants, although it is also high in sugar and fat. One small piece of dark chocolate per day is enough to get the antioxidant benefit. Green tea is another source of antioxidants.

By the same token, there are foods we should avoid for good brain health. Salty foods, sugary foods and drinks, processed foods, and foods containing trans fats are all bad for our body and our brain health. Let’s all eat a more healthy diet, it’s more than food for thought!

Sources:

www.brainandspine.org.uk/brain-food-nutrition-tips-healthy-brain

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/nutritional-psychiatry-your-brain-on-food-201511168626

https://healthybrains.org/pillar-nutrition/

Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest - Calling all youth artists ages 5-10!

Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest: Call for Youth Artist Entries

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is calling all youth artists between the ages of 5 and 10 years old to create and enter an original drawing of the Zilker Holiday Tree for the Annual Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest. The top three selected artwork winners from each age category, Junior Division (5 – 7 years) and Senior Division (8 – 10 years), will be publicly recognized and the winners will help light the Zilker Holiday Tree on Sunday, November 26, 2017! DEADLINE FOR ENTRY is 5:00 PM on Friday, November 3rd, 2017 In creating an original version of the Zilker Holiday Tree, children may use crayons, watercolors, ink, colored paper, pastels or paint to show us their version of Austin’s traditional holiday symbol. The rules are simple: • Entries must be received NO LATER than 5:00 PM on Friday, November 3, 2017. • Art must show the Zilker Holiday Tree • Only one entry per child o Junior Division: 5 – 7 years old o Senior Division: 8 – 10 years old • Artwork must be no larger than 8½ x 11 inches. (Any art work larger will be automatically disqualified) • Paper thickness only, please! (The artwork must fit into an 8½” x 11” flat frame) • It is very important to completely fill out the entry form, cut it out and attach it to the back of the artwork o Entry form - English o Entry form - Spanish • All artwork becomes the property of the Zilker Holiday Tree Art Contest For more information and to print out the entry forms, please visit http://austintexas.gov/page/art-contest. The contest information is available in both English and Spanish. Artwork must be delivered or mailed to: Parks and Recreation Department Office of Special Events 200 S. Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas 78704 If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Parks and Recreation Office of Special Events at (512) 974-6797 or email them at reservations@austintexas.gov. Alternative arrangements for delivery may be made by contacting an event coordinator. To enjoy some of the top three submissions from the winners over the past few years, please visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/austintexasgov/sets/72157631529674674 .

Texas Teen Book Festival - 10/07/2017

Emperor Science Award Application - Due 10/31/2017

Looking for the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers

Enter the Emperor Science Award program for a chance to work with a mentoring scientist to explore the world of cancer research. The 2018 Emperor Science Award program is committed to helping all students that have a passion for science join the next generation of cancer researchers. Through this award program, 100 winning students from across the country will be paired with a university-level mentoring scientist to collaborate on a cancer research project. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. http://www.emperorscienceaward.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=emperor 

YouthSpark Workshops by Microsoft

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/locations/tx/austin/the-domain/store-11

 

 

 

We Are Girls Austin Conference 11/04/17

Join Girls Empowerment Network at We Are Girls Austin
Saturday, 11/042017 at Anderson High School

REGISTER HERE!

Apply for an Individual Scholarship for We Are Girls Austin here.

Interested in presenting a workshop at We Are Girls? Apply here.

Questions about We Are Girls Austin? Email blair@girlsempowermentnetwork.org.

Brain Health Series: Part 1: Exercise and Your Brain

We all know that exercise is good for our bodies.  But, did you know that exercise is also beneficial for your brain?  Physical aerobic exercise increases blood flow throughout the body including the brain.  As a result, brain cells are better connected and memory and thinking skills improve.

In a study conducted at the University of British Columbia researchers discovered that regular exercise, rigorous enough to increase the heart rate, appears to boost the hippocampus in the brain.  This area of the brain is where verbal memory and learning takes place. 

Other studies have proven that those who exercise are more mentally sharp. These studies have found that students score higher on math and reading comprehension tests after exercising for 20 minutes.  Some studies have found that kids who exercise are happier and have a better positive outlook.  This is because physical activity releases chemicals in the brain that are natural stress combatants.  Thus, physically active kids are better at handling mood swings and their emotions.

In a recent online article published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, a panel of experts from the UK, Scandinavia, and North America all agreed that regular physical activity can strengthen brain cells, create more neurons in the brain, and prevent brain tissue loss in older adults.  Further studies have concluded that a daily schedule with more physical activity resulted in students achieving more and having better grades in the classroom.  So, let’s join our kids and increase our physical exercise--it can benefit us all!

Sources:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629105758.htm

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/raising-fit-kids/move/features/kid-brain-exercise#1