i don't know if many people in connecticut know about talcott mountain science center. it's right on top of avon mountain. a long windy road. i didn't know about the cost of tuition for the students. i do so hope there is help to the parents of GIFTED students who can't afford that steep price. it sure would be a shame if some were kept out just because they couldn't afford it. we (america) need ALL of the scientists we can get AND we do have to start EARLY. get kids interested in science and math. and NOT just boys either
TEAM MEMBERS Zach Wolf, 13, of Manchester, left, and Jason Whitehouse, 13, of Avon, explain their project using an instrument they made that measures light reflecting from the moon. Two dozen teams at the Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology presented their projects to a NASA scientist. (MICHAEL MCANDREWS)
By ROBERT A. FRAHM Courant Staff Writer December 13 2006AVON -- Scientist Marci Delaney of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center worries about the state of science education in America but is encouraged by what she saw Tuesday from young scientists such as 10-year-old Chandler Libby.Chandler and fellow fifth-grader Benjamin Suski measured the diameter and depth of craters on the moon using a lunar replica model from NASA and actual observations of the moon through telescopes.Theirs was one of about two dozen projects presented Tuesday by students from the Talcott Mountain Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology in NASA's "Moon Math Challenge.""Oh, fantastic," Delaney said, summing up the quality of projects devised by Talcott's middle school students. "I'm blown away. These kids obviously enjoy the science and math they're doing."The academy, a private school for gifted children from kindergarten through eighth grade, is a place where children can experiment with solar panels, monitor the weather with instruments such as Doppler radar, or observe the moon through a large telescope on their campus atop Talcott Mountain.Though it is rare for schools to have the kind of equipment or expertise found at the academy, the school is a model for the kind of practical, hands-on education that experts believe is needed if the United States is to keep its edge in science and technology."They're in a special situation here," said Delaney, who visited the academy to observe the "Moon Math Challenge," part of NASA's "Exploring Space Challenges" program promoting science education.............
12 comments:
Fun Fact: that's actually not Jason in the picture. Jason Whitehouse, 13 (of hebron) is actually the hand on the far right holding the device
Andy Biekert, 13, of Avon if the kid to the right with glasses.
About the school, the funny part is how they made the project featured mandatory (without telling anyone) in order to get attention. There are only 20 or so schools nationwide who do it, so when 80 kids do a project it gets attention.
The school does cost a lot of money and has a terrible spanish program, PE program, and anything that isn't math or science (except history and English)
i cut and pasted the caption of the photo directly from the courant. thank you for the correction
i am NOT surprised about the lack of pe or foreign language programs. after all it IS a school for science.
not that i care about pe, i don't. I DO care about music and art and languages though
Ya actually it is not a very good school and I do not reccomend it. The P.E and Spanish classes are horrendous and the administration makes no effort to change it.
There is an extreme lack of supplies, and classes such as spanish, P.E, and music are just as good as useless there.
The school is not a good place to be and it ill-prepares you for life in the future
i could have guessed p.e. and spanish and art ad things of that nature are not priority at a science school.
i AM surprised supplies are lacking. it does cost a fortune to go there and it IS a private school, is it not?
The school does not actually provide art supplies, the only supplies that have been provided have been there for over five years. Other than those defective supplies, the art teachers are forced to purchase supplies with their meager salaries.
Almost all of the technology that they brag about in their ads is actually not facilitated for the use of the children, but rather to show to visitors.
Please, do not make my mistake and keep your children away from Talcott Mountain Academy of Mathematics, Science, and Technology.
if you were a student there - i hope you told your parents what you thought of the school and what you (allege) went on
if you work there and are not happy i might suggest you find someplace that makes you happier
i only know what i read about the school. there has been nothing to the contrary (except these comments)
That's because they do a fine job lying. I know someone who was told they even have a Gym there!
They deceive people very well, if you poll the students there will be about an 80% dissaproval rating
I was surprised to read these comments about my children's wonderful school! I have a houseful of very happy, very talented children who have achieved great things due to the guidance and support they received from the dedicated scientists and teachers at TMA. Their writing has improved, their mathematics understanding, as well as test scores are steadily increasing since coming to TMA from public school, and they are free to be smart, without fear of becoming a social outcast. All this at a bargain price. At under $16,000 per year, with very generous discounts for muti-student families, TMA offers far more than the more expensive options. My children are involved in rigorous academic pursuits, hands-on learning, meaningful community service, social and academic enrichment, and they really love Friday ski club! And they've never been happier.
who knows who comments? it very well could be someone from a competing school (if there is one). it could be a prankster. it really DOES sound like a cool school to me.
actually I am a former student and so is the other person commenting, and for science, there is no doubt that it is a wonderful school, but it is highly lacking in almost every other area, with the exception of the eighth grade history, that is great! At my new school i have found myself ill-prepared by talcott, the jump in workload was a shock, and in terms of the arts, language, and mathematics I was not at all prepared for the level of insight and necessary prerequisites for classes. I am now fortunately thriving at my high school, but that is despite talcott, not because of it.
well anon, you certainly are articulate (and polite. i like that in a person). thanks for stopping by and i do wish you all the best with high school and should you wish to continue, college. i'm sorry you didn't get an all around education initially. i'm a firm believer the arts are JUST as important as science is. it sure does seem like ou are thriving!
thank you! just thought I'd put my two cents in
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