A Closer Look at Duke Tip

Junior Blogger Bianca interviewed an 8th grade Duke Tip student name April M. Bianca asked several questions in regards to April experiences within the program as well as her experience at the summer camp. April was granted a full scholarship to attend this prestigious camp last summer. Below you can view the video recording of the interview as well as some pictures from the camp. Here is some background information about Duke Tip taken from the Duke Tip website and the Burbank website. Click the link next to picture to view the video interview.

April M. Interview by Bianca

 

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. As a world leader in gifted and talented education, Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students reach their highest potential. Qualifying fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students may participate in Duke TIP's 4th–6th Grade Talent Search and may take advantage of its optional above-level testing. The 7th Grade Talent Search, which focuses on the identification, recognition, and support of high-ability students, offers qualifying seventh grade students the opportunity to take college entrance exams alongside high school students. Many 7th Grade Talent Search participants go on to earn exceptionally high scores.
Cited Source: http://www.tip.duke.edu/node/11 

HISD's College and Career Readiness Office sponsors Duke Tip for our students. They pay for tutorials after school and on Saturdays to prepare for the high school test. The also pay for transportation to and from the testing site. In addition, they pay for the actual tests that the students take.

 

Once the students take the test and the results are in, students may qualify for the opportunity to attend either the Center or the Academy during the summer. The Duke TIP Academy for Summer Studies offers an exceptional academic and social experience for those students who are among the top 5 percent of academically talented students in their grade level. Students in this program will experience challenging coursework and build friendships with other academically gifted peers. Students who qualify for the Center for Summer Studies represent the highest-scoring students in Duke TIP's 7th Grade Talent Search. The courses offered at the Center for Summer Studies are some of the most challenging and rigorous available to academically gifted students in the country.

 

At Burbank Middle School, we are proud to announce that Andrew Koltko and Jose Lopez qualified for the Center and April Morales qualified for the Academy. Andrew and April were lucky to receive a full scholarship from HISD to attend the Center and the Academy respectively at a cost of more than $3,500 each. All three are members of the Vanguard Academy at Burbank and have been invited to attend the Awards Ceremony on May 26th at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

Cited Source: http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/40210

 

" Have you reached your goal this year ?"

The bloggers took to the Burbank hallways again to ask their fellow peers through an on-line survey "Have you reached your goals this year ?" Many students even gave a brief explanantion through video,what their goals were this year and were they able to meet their goals. Majority of the students at Burbank are asked what their goals are at the beginning of the year in most core classes. The reasoning behind this is so, that students know where they are going in their academic careers and what actions are needed to meet those goals. Some bloggers even went and ask their fellow teachers and Assistant Principal Mr. Knittle the "Question of the Day". See below the survey results and a few videos. Enjoy...you might even get inspired.

Video 1- Student
Video 2- Student
Video 3-Student
Video 4- Assistant Principal
Video 5- Teacher

Results from the Survey

Summary

As the school year comes to an end, did you reach your academic goals that you set for yourself?

Yes all of my goals	12	17%
Yes, some of my goals	47	67%
No not at all	10	14%

Teen Success Survival Guide Group Blogger Picture

Greeting Readers,

"We" just like to welcome every reader to TSSG BlogSpot. We hope that you find our stories relevant and beneficial. We hope that the information that we provide to you will help you all in your future endeavors.

Best Regards,

The TSSG Junior and Senior Bloggers

“Can’t Believe This Is How It Went”

“My First Field Assignment”

By: Chiara

        Soon as I step foot into the classroom, all eyes were on me. I begin to get nervous and stumble over my words. “May I …May I, borrow this student for two to three minutes for an interview please?” I was glad the teacher immediately said yes with no hesitations. I asked the student to step outside the classroom with me so that I don’t interrupt the other students in the class. I explained what the interview, survey, was for, and I explained how to fill out the survey. This experience, blogging, helped strengthen my confidence a little more being that this is my first time being a blogger. After I did that one student, I wasn’t afraid anymore so I did two more before I turned in my assignment for the day. I really liked the feeling of being a blogger and not being afraid to do things. This experience was great. This is something; I would like to do when I get of age. I went from a nervous to a brave person in just one day, amazing!

Senior Bloggers: College Memorable Moment

Ms. Wright's Memorable Moment at Sam Houston State University

A memorable experience from my college career is the semester I completed my internship.

I still remember the day I got the call from human resources saying that I got the internship.  I had been waiting on the call for weeks hoping for good news.  I had heard so many great things about the internship.  First of all, I would be getting PAID unlike other internships where you pretty much work for free.  I also would get to travel, meet new people, and earn college credits without even going to a single class.

I learned so much during those 6 months and had sooooooo much fun.  I was able to get a nice place in Austin on my own, traveled all over Texas, and met some amazing people.  One of those people I actually consider family to this day.  

Perhaps one of the biggest blessings from my internship is that it led to a job after I graduated.  We were right in the middle of a recession, but I was still able to secure a job by graduation, unlike several of my friends.  After I returned to work for the agency, I was able to travel more extensively.  I moved to Chicago, visited Washington D.C. several times, went to New York, and I got to live in downtown Dallas for a month!

Even though my internship turned out not to be my passion, it was still an awesome experience that I wouldn't trade for anything!

Mrs. Singleton-Garcia's Memorable Moment at Sam Houston State University

My most memorable moment in college was when I was inducted in the Sam Houston State University Chapter of the Agriculture Honor Society of Delta Tau Alpha on September 17, 2003. I was so ecstatic, this award is only given to individuals who have exhibit exceptional quality and performance in the areas of scholarship, character and ethics, services and leadership that are maintaining a minimum of 3.0 and rank top 35% of their university class. My degree is in Animal Science so; I had the privileged to be around many different aspects of the agricultural arena. I was able to do a lot of things that I did not expect to experience such as: welding, meat processing, visiting a hog facility, participate in the set-up of a rodeo and many great things. It was a learning experience, yes there were times where I felt I was out of my comfort zone but, that help me to gain confidence in myself that I can do anything despite the obstacles.

Mrs. Robinson-Norsworthy's Memorable Moment at Texas Southern  University

As you may know, Mrs. Robinson-Norsworthy loves to talk.  This is often a gift and a curse.  With that said, my most memorable college moment occurred my freshman year when I participated in the Texas Southern University debate team.  A brief history……  Under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Freeman they are known WORLD wide.  Year after year they have traveled in the U.S.A. and abroad to compete and win many competitions. 

SOOOOOO…….  My first out of two competitions that I participated in before my father recommended (demanded) me to leave the team I won first in the debate section of the competition. 

Okay!! It was long trips to Nebraska were we competed.  No, I did not ride in an airplane, nor in a huge bus, and YES we rode in vans.  There were two vans exactly that were completely full and we only stopped to eat and use the restroom.  The hotels were horrible and the weather…………  COLD, COLD, I mean it was freezing.  There was ice and yes there was SNOW!!! Lots of it! A country girl from TEJAS is not use to all of that.  Now that I have given you a description, you may be saying why this is my most memorable moment.  Well if you wait I will tell youJ.

Now, you have to remember what I said at the beginning, the Texas Southern Debate team is known World Wide and Dr. Freeman is a legend.  He has trained some of the best….  One name that some of you may know is Barbra Jordan.  If you don’t know who she is please research.  Due to this was my first competition and I was competing against those who have been competing for years, there was no way I would place in anything. Now that day Dr. Freeman was not feeling well and stayed behind in the hotel as we competed. 

Now I was talking to my friend Chasity when they were passing out awards and I did not hear my name the first time.  They said it again…..  Leah Robinson!!!  What, I won first place in debate.  What, say it again first place and first time.  I am a natural.  Now that wasn’t what made this day memorable.  Are you ready, what made this day memorable was when Dr. Freeman was informed that I won.  He said hmmmmm and smiled.  He gave me this look.  The kind of look a parent gets when there child walks for the first time.  Wow, the feeling of accomplishment that came over me was AWESOME.  The legend, the one who has walked with Dr. Martin Luther King, and had trained the best thought I had it.  I will never forget this day. 

Now, though my DAD made me quite because he wanted me to focus on my grades, I treasure this moment and know that my gift of gab and gift of debate will carry me far in life.  Guess what…. I have a medal to prove it!!! LOL

The Famous Dr. Freeman

Welcome Eagles!

Greeting Fellow Eagles,

Your journey through middle school is slowly coming to an end. We have just about ended our 1st semester, soon to enjoy that two week winter break. I don't know about you but, I am looking forward it to it. Well your probably wondering, what is this all about? This blog was created to give you support for 2nd semester, we have decided to create a blog to document your progress. Students you are getting ready to embark in new territories, you know the land of the unknown (High School). There a many pit falls,  that you need to be aware of in order to stay the course. What is that course, you may ask? Its SUCCESS! Yes, I am screaming. "We" the Burbank Family want you to enjoy all the great opportunities out there for you. In order to do that, we must educate you. This blog will give you all the info you will need for preparation. Topics will range from What High School/ College should I attend to college-readiness study skills.We will be interviewing many of your classmates to get the 411 regarding their thoughts on higher education as well as give you pertinent information. Until next time...Singleton is signing off... Adios!