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 here is an old saying that the cheetah can run 60 miles an hour —but only if he has to. In other words, the cheetah will move only as fast as a situation dictates, such as finding food or avoiding prey.
A similar rule applies to children. Starting in first grade, high-ability kids quickly learn that they can receive very good grades without working hard at all. Indeed, the cry among gifted educators is that the educational mandate “No Child Left Behind” should have been named “No Child Leaps Ahead.” What’s at stake is clear: by denying opportunities for high-ability kids to realize their natural talent, we could lose a significant amount of intellectual capital.
The Foundation is dedicated to unleashing the exceptional talent and ability of young students, especially in mathematics and the sciences. Our philanthropic vision is guided by several key questions:
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What is the nature of mathematical and scientific talent, and its relationship to creativity? |
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Can we help researchers and educators develop cost effective tools to identify cognitively gifted young people, especially in areas of the globe where their talents might be lying dormant (such as Africa and India)? |
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What are the most strategic interventions to accelerate the learning and achievements of extremely talented students in mathematics and the sciences? |
By searching for answers to these questions, and looking for innovative solutions, the Foundation hopes to address the problem of children who are not being challenged to their full potential.
www.templeton.org/funding_areas/gifted_education/
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