Workshop registration for CFK 2009 begins in May!

College for Kids (CFK) is a unique program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is both an award- winning program for young students and a professional development opportunity for educators.

College for Kids is an exciting learning experience that strives to develop and nuture and challenge the gifts and talents of young students. College for Kids has been developed as an academic enrichment experience in active learning for highly motivated students. This three-week summer program of workshops, demonstrations, tours and discussions is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education, with the cooperation of the Greater Dane County school districts and UW faculty, staff and administration.

In addition, this program provides a professional development opportunity for teachers, counselors and administrators to become trained in working with students with gifts and talents.

Program Goals

• Acquaint students with 4 UW-Madison programs of study through prepared demonstrations, tours and workshops
• Increase student motivation and interest in academics
• Expose students to a broad range of academic areas
• Develop higher-level thinking, creative problem solving strategies and questioning skills through CFK activities
• Increase student positive self-concept by helping students understand their giftedness through interaction with peers
• Provide professional development opportunity for educators

Who is Eligible to Participate?

This summer over 300 children from over 35 school districts and private schools in the Greater Dane County area will be a part of College for Kids. Students are recommended by their individual schools using a variety of identification methods such as knowledge, interest, motivation, and imagination. A child's interest and motivation are crucial components for the program's success and strengthen the child's positive experience in the program; therefore all students must possess a strong desire to participate in the program. Each school district is allowed to send a specified number of current 5th grade students based on population size. The schools' Gifted and Talented Coordinators, in coorespondance with the schools' teachers, will choose students they believe possess all of these qualities. For continuity, it is very important that students enrolled attend for all three weeks. At the end of the three weeks each student, along with their school district, will recieve a summary of the students' work, strengths, and participation in the program.