GAT students show coding prowess

CRESCO - During the March 21 regular Howard-Winneshiek CSD board meeting, Ms. Krista Story, K-12 Gifted And Talented (GAT) teacher, and three of her seventh grade students, Garrett Snitker, C. L. and Caleb Parr, reported on some of the Coding projects they are studying.

Garrett spoke first. “I’ve been working on Code for one year. When I started, I had absolutely no knowledge of it. I taught myself what all of it means. I started with the Scratch website. We are able to share projects across the world.”

He showed board members, administrators and visitors what he has made. “I went through learning Scratch by teaching myself. I’ve moved on to Python. I created a program to create a random number.”

C. L. then explained his experiences. “I have a presentation about learning the Swedish language. I am taking game design. Eventually, I’ll get to make my own games.”

He showed the Swedish program, which showed a picture with the Swedish spelling and pronunciation of it.

C. L. helped Caleb present his project. 

“He uses a dinosaur and jumps over cactuses. You can do it as long as you want, until you run into the cactus and die. Caleb also uses Blender.” He made a stack of 3D boxes and had one of them fall over. He coded in shadows to show it falling.

“Caleb can make models and print it on the 3D printer.”

 

What is GAT?

Ms. Story explained the GAT program services students who give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as intellectual, creative, artistic, technology, leadership capacity or in specific academic fields.  

GAT services are based on high test scores and other forms of criteria.  The students that meet all criteria are placed in GAT services and have a personalized education plan, while others that do not meet all the criteria for gifted and talented services are placed in an enrichment class depending on their exceptional talent or skill.  

“At Crestwood, we have technology and creativity enrichment classes in grades 3-7,” she said.

When a student meets all criteria and qualifies for GAT services, they will meet with other students at their advanced academic level twice a week and work on a personalized education plan in their regular classroom.

Story added, “The program helps gifted students reach for and achieve their personal best work. They are immersed in higher order thinking and creative thinking lessons, activities and projects.”

 The GAT program  provides accelerated classes in English and math at the junior high and high school level as well as independent study class for gifted and talented high school students.

Mrs. Edna Vandervort, Media Associate and technology teacher for third and sixth graders, assists with the technology enrichment class. “Their level of thinking is way beyond us. They are going to be the techies of the future.”