EPSY 7710: Practicum in Gifted Education 10-10-14

Proposal for Practicum of Michele Hood

A. Sponsoring Agency Info
Hall County School System:
Earhart-Edison Enrichment Academy @ North Hall Middle School
4856 Rilla Road
Gainesville, GA 30506
B.

Sponsor:
Name:

Laurie Ecke

Phone#: 678-617-7558

Sponsor email: laurie.ecke@hallco.org

Sponsor Role: Assistant Director of Innovative and Advanced Programs for Hall County
Schools

a. Project Oriented Format:

i. Project Title: Hall County Regional Technology Fair
ii. Project goals and Rationale:
Logistics: Implement a regional technology fair for the gifted and talented
Hall County students in grades 5 12 that allows a pathway to the Georgia
Technology Fair.
Enrichment gifted outreach tied to curriculum: Inform teachers and
students of ways to integrate technology tools in the classroom that build on
curriculum and also to tie technology to student interests
Mentoring: Allow outreach of community volunteers both college students
and adults - with passions and interests in technology related fields to
connect with Hall Countys gifted students, hopefully establishing
connections and mentorships.
Gifted Awareness: Demonstrate how to connect STEM pathways in various
content classes to differentiate for gifted students.
Service: Serve on the Georgia State Tech Fair Advisory Committee for 3
years minimum (regional directors must commit to this service).

iii. Activities
Establish a committee/steering team from community members,
parents and school system employees.
Produce an informative presentation to deliver to schools
Secure facilities
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Produce an online information page

Produce a FAQ section
Produce a registration flyer
Secure judges
Produce program of events and registration
Secure a volunteer to coordinate the volunteers
Secure volunteers for manning rooms and hospitality
Secure concessions
Order trophies
Attend state directors conference PRE
Secure mentors for NHMS tech fair students
Calendar of mentor meetings for each category
Determine rubrics for judging
Determine blurbs for incorporating tech projects into classrooms
Assignment Sheet for students and judges
Secure Buses for transportation
Produce school mini fair at E2 academy for selection to regional fair
Main high school and elem/middle regional fair
Attend state directors organizational meeting March 6
Judge State Fair March 7
iv. Location and Time Frame (where and when experience will occur,
reflecting a minimum of 60 hours (practicum) or 90 (internship) over the
course of semester including in-field and off-site preparation and
execution of experience);
First phase Research of State fair, creation of steering committee, website,
securing sites, producing informational piece (September and October)
Second phase Secure volunteers, buses, registration sheets, judges, order
trophies (October and November)
Third phase - Secure mentors for each fair category to meet with competitors
Fourth phase Mini fair at E2 - December 9
Fifth phase Regional Tech Fair Jan 13 and 14
Sixth phase State fair participation March 7
Seventh phase Meet with coordinators to get feedback
v. Products/Portfolio (how you plan to document what you have
learned/accomplished to be submitted for final evaluation).
PowerPoint of program
Video and photos of actual fair
Documentation of registration page
Documentation of web page for information
Rubrics and judging information
Schedules
Guidelines for entering fair
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B. Developmental Statement
As the coordinator for a STEM exploration academy and Innovation Specialist for North Hall
Middle School, I realized that my county does not have a forum for students to showcase STEM
products. After researching several organizations and competitions, I wish to implement a
regional technology fair. Not only will this experience give my students an authentic audience,
connect them with potential mentors, and introduce them to like-minded gifted and talented
peers with same interests, I feel that this opportunity will tie into the curriculum of our state
standards, curriculum and programming for the gifted and enrich authentic opportunities.
Opening up the fair to the students of Hall County will bring awareness of gifted pedagogy as it
relates to current curriculum. The fair involvement will connect parents and the community to
our students. Further, the opportunity to participate in a STEM competition could ignite a
passion and interest of STEM learning in our culturally diverse, economically disadvantaged
and female students. Winners of our regional fair will be eligible to participate in the Georgia
Technology Fair held in Macon in March. Senior level winners at the state fair are awarded
scholarship money for college.

C. Courses Pursued and Work-related Duties During Practicum Term

EPSY 7710
EPSY 7230
EPSY 7250
Co-Coordinator of a Program of Choice for Hall County: Earhart-Edison Enrichment Academy
at North Hall Middle School, Gainesville, Ga
Innovation Specialist for North Hall Middle School and E2: develop and lead professional
learning, facilitate 7th and 8th grade ELA content meetings, facilitate 7th social studies meetings
SLO coordinator for North Hall Middle School
Teach 2 gifted ELA 7th grade classes for E2 academy
School Leadership Team member
Curriculum team for Hall County, 7th grade ELA
Canvas integration team leader for North Hall Middle School
Mentor to new teachers

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