Igniting Ideas: G/T Summer Guide

Summer is a time to explore, create, and recharge! It’s also a great time to keep your mind active in fun and flexible ways. This guide is designed to help gifted learners stay curious, think creatively, and connect ideas to the real world. Choose what inspires you most!

Try a quick challenge below to stretch your brain and build problem-solving skills!

• Riddles, logic puzzles, and brain teasers
• Creative thinking challenges you can do anywhere

• Try creating your own puzzle and challenge someone at home

👉 Challenge yourself: Can you solve it faster the second time?

Think like an inventor, artist, or designer!

• Design a brand-new amusement park ride
• Invent a tool that solves a real-world problem

• Create a comic, story, or digital design with a surprising twist

👉 Level up: Combine two ideas into one creative invention!

Use your thinking to make a difference in the real world.

Challenge: Plastic waste is a growing issue. How could YOU help solve this problem in your community?

• Sketch your solution
• Build a prototype or model
• Write or record a pitch explaining your idea

👉 Think bigger: Who could help bring your idea to life?

Explore books, media, and ideas that spark curiosity.

• Read a mystery, science, or problem-solving book
• Watch a documentary about space, nature, or innovation
• Listen to a podcast that explains how things work

👉 GT thinking tip: Ask questions while you read or watch.

For Example: What surprised you? What would you change?

🎥 TED-Ed Videos with Discussion Questions 🎥

(You can search by topic like "math," "history," "inventions," or "mysteries")

💡 Examples:

• Why Do We Dream?

• The Genius of Marie Curie

• History vs. Nikola Tesla

Hands-on challenges to design, build, and test ideas!

Maker Challenge:

Build the tallest structure you can using only:

• Paper
• Tape
• 10 minutes

👉 Upgrade it: Can it hold a small object without falling?

A chance to stretch your thinking with a larger creative challenge.

Design Your Perfect Day Experience

• Where would it happen?
• What would you include?
• What makes it meaningful or memorable?

Choose how to share your idea:

🎨 Draw it | ✏️ Write it | 🏗️ Build it | 🎤 Present it

“Teacher for a Day”

Students created and taught their own mini-lessons, now it’s your turn to learn from each other.

• Explore a classmate’s lesson
• Try out their activity
• Reflect on something new you learned

👉 Think about it: What made their teaching effective or fun?

💭 Wonder & Imagine 💭

Big questions build big thinkers…

What would happen if humans could live on Mars tomorrow?

• What challenges would we face?
• What would we need to change?
• What would daily life look like?

Step outside your comfort zone and try something new!

• Learn a magic trick
• Try beginner coding
• Start a mini business or creative project
• Cook or bake something new

Pick any 3 activities to complete this summer:

• Solve 5 puzzles or riddles
• Build something from recycled materials
• Read a new book
• Explore a “big question”
• Create a piece of art
• Teach someone something new
• Design an invention
• Write a short story or comic

Share your summer creations and summer adventures with us using link below!