B.A.S.H. Gifted Education Program
June 2026 Newsletter
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- May 29: Last day for Class of 2027 to clear obligations for parking pass eligibility for the 26-27 SY.
- June 5: Graduation
- August 24: First Student Day (2026-27 school year)
AP & DE Summer Work
If you are taking an AP (Advanced Placement) or DE (Dual Enrollment) course next year, there may be some summer work required. Make sure that you have joined the Google Classroom and checked your teacher’s post about the assignment(s). You may need to stop by their room and pick up some work.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
MCCC Dual Enrollment News
One Credit Dual Enrollment for Summer
Would you like to take a class or 2 over the summer to get a jump start on college?
Summer 14-week and 6-week
Session I classes start May 11!
If you are a Dual Enrollment student or senior who recently graduated. You can still receive the DE rate for the summer Semester.
Summer registration is open! Go to the link below!
https://www.mc3.edu/admissions/high-school-dual-enrollment/class-at-montco?authuser=0
European Mensa Science Camp (EMSC) 2026
The European Mensa Science Camp (EMSC) 2026 is an international summer camp for curious and motivated youth aged 12–19, taking place from July 19–26 in Milow, Germany. Organized by Mensa Czechia, this English-language event offers science-focused lectures, projects, and team-building activities, fostering international friendships
Key Details for EMSC 2026
Dates: July 19–26, 2026.
Location: Milow, Germany.
Target Audience: Gifted and motivated students aged 12–19.
Language: English only.
Activities: Lectures, team projects, and specialized workshops. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Overview of the Experience
International Participation: Participants from numerous countries across Europe and other continents attend, promoting cultural exchange.
Focus: The program emphasizes hands-on science, technology, and team projects, often involving fields like mathematics, physics, and biochemistry.
Organizers: The camp is organized by Mensa Czechia.
Atmosphere: It serves as a meeting point for young Mensans to connect with peers who share similar abilities and interests
For registration and more information, prospective attendees can visit the official Mensa Czechia website.
Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland (CTYI at Dublin City University)
Modeled directly after the Johns Hopkins CTY model, CTYI hosts a highly competitive Summer Programme for secondary school students who score at or above the 95th percentile on academic ability tests. It welcomes international students and allows advanced minds to dive into niche, university-level subjects.
TeenLife - Summer Programs
https://www.teenlife.com/for/guide-summer-programs/
Career Portfolio:
Current 9th Graders - you may complete your 10th grade service hours for the Career Portfolio over the summer!
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code, create, connect. Your summer adventure starts here. ✨
Pathways is Girls Who Code’s free, virtual summer program for high school girls and nonbinary students to explore tech, build in-demand skills, and create projects that make a difference—no experience required!
Girls Who Code is excited to offer Pathways this summer from Monday, June 29th, through Friday, August 14th! This seven-week program is a free, flexible online learning opportunity for students who want to learn coding at their own pace.
Participants will be able to explore coursework in five tracks throughout the program: Data Science + AI, Game Design, Web Development, Cybersecurity, and AI + Society.
Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through virtual Partner Events with leading tech organizations. They can also connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community and join optional Student Hours for live support and collaboration.
For students who participated in Pathways during 2025, this summer's program will offer new courses and virtual events, as well as the chance to explore coursework you may have missed previously!
Pathways is open to high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels, including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants. Check out our eligibility criteria for more information.
AP Course Spotlights
AP Computer Science A
The AP Computer Science A course is an introductory college-level class focused on the fundamentals of computer science and object-oriented programming. Students learn to design, implement, and analyze solutions to complex problems using the Java programming language. The rigorous curriculum covers critical topics such as primitive types, using objects, boolean expressions, if statements, iteration, writing classes, arrays, ArrayLists, 2D arrays, inheritance, and recursion. By emphasizing hands-on problem-solving and code architecture, the course teaches students how to write, test, and debug clear, efficient, and well-documented programs.
AP Physics I
The AP Physics 1 course is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics class that explores the foundational principles of Newtonian mechanics. Students develop deep conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills through inquiry-based learning, laboratory investigations, and mathematical problem-solving. The rigorous curriculum covers essential topics including kinematics, dynamics, circular motion, gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, and rotational motion. By emphasizing scientific literacy and hands-on experimentation, the course prepares students to analyze physical scenarios, design experiments, and solve complex problems using algebra and basic trigonometry.
Five Ways to Support Gifted Students in Your Classroom
1. Learn how gifted students think.
2. Created tiered assignments for students.
3. Include a variety of levels in your classroom library.
4. Utilize their talents and interests.
5. Explore real-word applications
For the full article, go to https://blog.kaplanco.com/ii/gifted-students
Suggestions of the Month for Gifted Education
Meet the BASH Gifted Education Team
Mr. B. Burychka (bburychka@boyertownasd.org)
Mrs. M. Gramp (mgramp@boyertownasd.org)
Mr. J. Maurer (jmauer@boyertownasd.org)
Mr. J. Valick (jvalick@boyertownasd.org)
ARCHIVES: Gifted Education Information, News & Tidbits
Informational Documents / Articles
Books
Gifted and Distractible: Understanding, Supporting, and Advocating for Your Twice Exceptional Child by Julie Skolnick
Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students, 3rd edition, by Christine Fonseca
A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children by James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Emily Kircher-Morris, and Janet Gore
Guiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers by James T. Webb, Elizabeth A. Meckstroth, and Steph front Tolan
Websites
PAGE - Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education
The smartest kids should never hear this phrase from adults, according to experts
The Kid Should See This - Smart Videos for curious minds of all ages
Videos
Past BASH Gifted Newsletters
SAT Prep Resources
Will your student be taking the SAT in the near future? There’s lots of free and low-cost resources available. Check out this article for some ideas and resources. Here’s a few of the highlighted resources in the article:
It is recommended that students start early, take official practice tests, focus on their weaknesses, and create a study plan.
2025-26 Counseling Dept Information
- Go to pages 14-16 in the Program of Studies titled “Enrichment Courses” This section covers the gifted program, honors/AP courses, dual enrollment, etc.
- The Counseling Dept. also hosted a Financial Aid Presentation earlier this year. You can view recorded past presentations on the site. The Virtual FAFSA Support information is also listed here.
- Student Aid Guide - This comprehensive guide (which has been updated for 2025-26 school year) provides a complete overview of the financial aid process with information on most of Pennsylvania’s financial aid programs and services.