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March 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

Being Prepared

by Dr. Kirsten L. Stein, Athena’s Founder

Dr. Kirsten recently wrote about helping parents address their gifted child’s fears about the coronavirus in the newest edition of GHF Dialogue. In her submission, you will find helpful tips (including three tips that can be applied to most situations). Dr. Kirsten also asked for readers’ suggestions.

Excerpt:

“This teachable moment could lead to talking about the importance of not having the water running while you are scrubbing your hands, to be environmentally conscious; how to best wash your hands in public restrooms; and why washing your hands with soap and water is better than using hand sanitizer. Further exploration might include disease control, the difference between bacteria and viruses, science experiments with petri dishes—the possibilities are endless.”

Remember, the more we work together, the safer we will be. Stay well!

February 23, 2020 Leave a Comment

Discovering and Connecting

by Dr. Kirsten L. Stein, Athena’s Founder

Our own Dr. Kirsten recently wrote about her life and her connection to giftedness in the first edition of GHF Dialogue.

Excerpt:

“When I walked down the long hallways after receiving the highest grade, people looked at me, called out to me, and focused on me. I just wanted to hide, blend in, and fit in with the masses. Because of the unwanted attention I was getting, I decided to underachieve to fit in.”

Remember, you don’t have to underachieve to belong! At Athena’s, you will belong!

February 16, 2020 Leave a Comment

Intelligence: A Different Perspective

by Dylan Norman, Athena’s Student

What’s the definition of intelligence? At first, this seems a pretty simple question; however, you’ll soon find yourself at a loss for words. The definition from Merriam-Webster states intelligence is “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations. The ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one’s environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria.” This definition is not only vague but unsatisfying. The nature of intelligence has remained one of the most hotly debated topics in Psychology. It’s hard to find another word that is so common, yet so poorly understood. However, despite this confusion over intelligence, psychologists do have their own definition.

The definition of intelligence that psychologists give is ability to learn, recognize problems, and then solve them. Learning requires us to take information in and hold it in our memory. Recognizing problems needs us to be able to separate what’s working and not working. Solving problems deals with our ability to fix what we’ve identified to not work.

I tend to differ. I take a more practical view of intelligence. While I don’t disagree learning, recognition, and solving problems are a part of intelligence, I believe there are other, equally important, sides of intelligence: Flexibility and Analysis.

I’ve always believed that flexibility is a part of intelligence. An ability to remove bias from your own viewpoint and take in different viewpoints is a fundamental part of being intelligent in my mind. Humans have many biases: confirmation bias, clustering bias, and bandwagon effect among others. Confirmation bias is where you stick to your own beliefs despite being presented with different evidence. Clustering bias is when we look for patterns in random data. Bandwagon effect, or groupthink, is the rut of thinking in which we go with what everyone else believes or says. Whilst these are far from the full amount of biases we have to deal with, they illustrate my point: an ability to be flexible in our thinking is something we should value more now than ever before. Discarding bias is not an easy task. Therefore, I respect the intelligence of anyone who can remove their own bias and be flexible in their viewpoint. However, flexibility isn’t the only part of intelligence I value.

Analytics, like flexibility, seems to be lacking in our discussion of intelligence. An ability to not just consider, but analyse, without any bias, different viewpoints, information, and arguments is critical to being intelligent. You may be able to understand different viewpoints without bias, but can you analyse them? There’s a distinction here. To understand is simply to learn how something works. To analyse is to examine and question how something works. Analysis is much more active than understanding: analysis requires a different kind of intelligence. Sometimes grasping a concept is the hard part. Other times, asking whether a concept works can represent a whole different challenge.

Analysis is also essential when talking about grey areas. People tend to prefer clear-cut answers: “it is good,” “this is bad,” “you can’t do this,” “this is a good decision,” or “it’s the right thing to do.” Sometimes the right answer simply isn’t perfect. More often still, the right answer isn’t clearly right. These often can be found in a philosophy, debate, or politics course. Should we cut taxes? Is social media bad? Should school uniforms be mandatory? The unfortunate situation is that we have many questions without a clear cut answer. In these classes and in life, we’ll soon be confronted with situations where both sides of an issue are plagued with problems. People can’t agree collectively what the correct choice is, but everyone is convinced that their choice is correct. The problem with consensus is that oftentimes, problems don’t have a “correct” answer. That’s why analytics are so important: it helps you to navigate through the grey.

We sometimes forget flexibility and analytics are core parts of intelligence, but there’s something that I believe we fail to even recognize as a part of intelligence: our actions. We tend to think of thinkers and doers as separate. Yet I think this undervalues the fact that intelligence requires us to do something. Even if to do something, means a conscious decision to do nothing. To do something requires problem solving, focused effort and realistic goal setting. These are all things that we associate with intelligence, so why wouldn’t action be considered an important part of intelligence?

We use our intelligence constantly; our abnormally high intelligence is what makes us unique as a species. Yet when it comes to defining intelligence, we seem to stutter. The definition is difficult because intelligence comprises many things. Traditionally, it comprises learning, recognition, and the ability to solve problems. However, I have suggested that in defining intelligence, we have forgotten about the practical ways intelligence shows itself: flexibility, analysis, and action.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Myers, David G. “Myers’ Psychology for AP.” Worth Publishers, 2014.

• Choong Ching, Teo, “Types of Cognitive Biases You Need to Be Aware of As a Researcher,” UX Collective, September 27, 2019, https://uxdesign.cc/cognitive-biases-you-need-to-be-familiar-with-as-a-researcher-c482c9ee1d49 Last accessed February 12

• Cherry, Kendra, “Theories of Intelligence in Psychology,” Verywell Mind, 8 October, 2019, https://www.verywellmind.com/theories-of-intelligence-2795035 Last accessed February 12

• Dwyer, Christopher, “12 Common Biases That Affect How We Make Everyday Decisions,” Psychology Today, September 7, 2018, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thoughts-thinking/201809/12-common-biases-affect-how-we-make-everyday-decisions Last accessed February 12

• “Intelligence,” Mirriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intelligence Last accessed February 12

February 2, 2020 3 Comments

“The Reptile Overlord” Reflects

by Alli the reptile overlord, Athena’s Junior Instructor

Hi, current, former, and future Athena’s students and their parents! Alli the reptile overlord, herpetology Junior Instructor at Athena’s Advanced Academy here. As you may already know, I recently presented my work at Athena’s with my herpetology classes at the
World Congress of Herpetology in Dunedin, New Zealand, and was invited by Dr. Kirsten to write this article describing my experience. I could tell you about the other talks I attended, the really good food at snack breaks, or the wildlife I saw at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. But I
won’t. Instead, I’m going to discuss not the where or who of the conference, who I met, who I heard speak, and where I went. I’m going to discuss the why and why this presentation was so important to me. Contrary to what you may think, I didn’t do it for the glory or to advertise my classes or for the trip, although those factors all played a role. Addressing the students, I did it for you.

Herpetology has been one of my passions for as long as I can remember. My mom has stories of me begging to see the snakes at the pet store from nearly the moment I could talk. But it hasn’t been easy for me to get to this point, and a lot of my success I can chalk up to my mom
knowing the right people, the undeniable power of cuteness, and luck. I’ve been underestimated, condescended, and rejected for my age and my interest in reptiles and amphibians and professional ambitions. (just ask the high school representative who repeatedly insisted to me that “playing with snakes” wasn’t a career) I don’t want any of that to happen to you.

If you’re a student planning to attend, or attending, one of my classes, I don’t know if you joined it because you’re passionate about reptiles and amphibians, because you’re new to Athena’s and wanted an interesting class to try out the system, or because your parents or teachers wanted to check off something on your transcript for science. But whether it relates to reptiles or not, I know you have a passion, maybe even something you’re planning to major in in college or base your career off of. If you don’t know that yet, that’s completely okay, I’m not sure I really know myself. But you should be able to enter the field of your passion, meet the professionals, build the connections, and learn as much about your topic of interest as possible. And that’s where my presentation comes in.

Students below high school, or in many cases college, level, are often overlooked in herpetology education for anything more robust than a museum display or having them two-finger touch a corn snake at their local nature center, and make sure to use hand sanitizer before and after and don’t go anywhere near the head or tail.

When I started out at Athena’s, got my first pet snake, and really started focusing on my passion, there weren’t resources out there. Children’s books about reptiles and amphibians tended to be inaccurate and sensationalized to make the animals sound scary or gross, professional texts didn’t convey the information in a way that I could really understand and embrace at that point, and Internet resources fell into the same problems. I ended up reading keeper’s guides on popular pet snakes just to find something accurate that I could fully understand and appreciate. What I needed at that point was an outlet and an approachable, knowledgeable peer who took me seriously. Or, forgive me for the egotistical implications here, I needed me.

That’s why I started a blog called My Little Python in 2014. It wasn’t very effective because I didn’t really understand how to write for and approach kids at that point, but it led me to where I am now. I teach the class that I wish existed when I was younger. I would have been thrilled to be able to talk to somebody about snakes and ask questions and watch videos of horned lizards shooting blood out of their eyes and have somebody listen and convey the information in an approachable, but accurate format. And even if you aren’t specifically interested in reptiles and amphibians, I hope my class has helped you to gain a better understanding and appreciation of all kinds of animals, made you more aware of the importance of conservation, or just gave you someone to talk to on Friday mornings, or that my enthusiasm and delivery encouraged you to pursue your passions with enthusiasm and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Which is all awesome, but I can’t teach everyone. I honestly wish I could, but I have limited time and knowledge, and the online platform has limits. At least for now, writing this in 2020, I can’t project a live animal through the screen and have you hold it. And even if I could, it’d probably use too much bandwidth for the webinar. I can’t take you into a swamp and show you what needs to be conserved. And that’s why I chose to present my work at the World Congress. I had the opportunity to join an amazing group of educators working in a variety of circumstances and grade levels and to bring my story and successes to the world. And I did it in hopes that one of those educators or their colleagues could, and would, reach you.

There are many conclusions that they could draw from my talk, like that animated GIFs are an underrated educational tool, that Blackboard Ultra really needs more whiteboard colors, or that caecilians are a hit with students because they’re basically cute, tiny land sharks. But what I hope they heard, and what I hoped they learned from hearing about you is that younger kids matter, and that basically, you matter. You are some of the most passionate people I’ve ever met, and I’ve learned just as much, maybe even more, from you as you have from me. And I know that you can take that passion and your knowledge to great places and do amazing things for the world. And speaking for myself, and speaking for you, I urged the world’s most prominent herpetology educators to reach you because your passions can be turned towards the
conservation and study of the animals they love and create the next generation of herpetologists, conservationists, and passionate, smart, awesome people. And I hope I’ll be able to meet you, in all your passion, intelligence, and awesomeness in herpetology in an upcoming semester.

Keep being awesome,
Alli the reptile overlord

January 19, 2020 2 Comments

Meet Molly: Founder of MiniWorld Magic!

by Liza Kanne, Athena’s Student

Meet Molly, a friendly, enthusiastic Athena’s student who lives in Wisconsin. When she’s not working on MiniWorld or Athena’s courses, you can find her playing Magic: The Gathering, reading, or playing with her kittens. Recently, I had a chance to ask some questions about her roles in MiniWorld.

What is MiniWorld? MiniWorld is an imaginative online subset of the social forums. It contains MiniMusic, a place where students can find music to listen to while doing homework, Ministagram, where students can find adorable photos, and a business center, where students offer virtual products and services. The business center is the most active. There, students can post stores, resorts, restaurants, or anything else that comes to mind. Sometimes, these have a Magical twist. For example, one student has a bakery where the treats fit the diner’s tastes.

Molly runs three video series meant to help students engage in MiniWorld. The first one is MiniWorld Magic, where in each video, Molly discusses an important part of MiniWorld. MiniWorld Interviews is a branch of MiniWorld Magic, where Molly interviews a student about their business. Finally, in MiniWorld Spotlight, Molly talks about a student and their business and gives a screencast tour.

Responses may be edited for clarity.

Q. What Athena’s classes have you taken, and what ones are you taking now?

A. Well, currently, I will be in the next semester, taking a course on different types of elections which is going to be pretty fun. My most recent course that I’ve taken is about peacemakers throughout history, which was amazing.

Q. How long have you been at Athena’s?

A. For about four years, and they’ve been amazing years. I mean, every time I log on to MiniWorld it just blows me away how many new ideas there are. I’m so grateful for everything Athena’s has given me.

Q. How did you get started in MiniWorld?

A. Well, when I was just getting started on Athena’s, I was checking out the social forums and I thought, “Why not make a store?” My mom typed out the store for me. It was a magical talismans store. I had this successful pet resort, and then when Athena’s did its update I started posting even more. It’s just been an amazing journey.

Q. What made you decide to start MiniWorld Magic?

A. I got approached by Dr. Kirsten about it when I was a little younger. I was ecstatic about the idea. It was based on a successful pet resort that she had noticed. She decided it would be good for me to make a video series, and I jumped at that idea. I love talking about MiniWorld and educating people about it.

Q. Do you have a favorite video?

A. My favorite video so far is Surveys, Quizzes, and Polls, Oh My!. I just loved talking about those platforms. It’s a great way to gauge what people are thinking of your store and how you can improve. It also was the first video that I used screencasts on, and I just think screencasts are such a great tool.

Q. What video was the most challenging to make?

A. Probably my introduction video. I was just getting started, and wasn’t as good at editing or working with a team. I didn’t even know how to cut film!

Q. What do you enjoy most about MiniWorld?

A. I love the outlet for creativity. Everyone on there has such creative ideas and I love being a part of this community.

To find Molly’s MiniWorld Magic & MiniWorld Spotlight videos, current students at Athena’s can log into Social Forums – MiniWorld. We hope to see you there!

December 29, 2019 8 Comments

Athena’s Ten Year Anniversary Reflection

by Dr. Kirsten L. Stein, Athena’s Founder

January 2020 marks a milestone at Athena’s. Although Athena’s began before 2010, our first official Athena’s Advanced Academy online classes commenced in January of 2010. One of the reasons I started Athena’s was to help parents of gifted children educate their children.

Like many parents of gifted children, I found myself floundering when it came to educating my children–despite my educator training. I had taken time away from teaching to raise my children when they were young, and I had planned on them entering the United States school system when they reached school age. But those plans were changed when it became obvious that the traditional school model would not work for them.

When my children reached preschool and kindergarten ages, I enrolled them in school. Although years apart, my son and daughter made it only to Kindergarten before it was clear they were not being challenged. I had gone to great lengths to locate schools that could work with their gifts. However, none of my hand-picked schools fully challenged either of them. Through a series of events centered around these school experiences, I decided to homeschool.

Although homeschooling is not a prerequisite to attend Athena’s classes, it was through homeschooling my children that I discovered online learning. Thanks to the Internet, I was able to gather information and piece together curricula for them. At the time, I had not yet gotten my doctorate, but I did have my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, so I used that knowledge and experience to educate my children at home.

This worked very well—both children were learning and were enjoying the process. My family was able to tap into the local homeschooling community to find classes, co-ops, and companions. However, I found that this was not enough. They were missing a connection with like-minded peers who shared their passions and curiosities. So, I reached out to other parents of gifted children online.

As I connected with more parents in the gifted community, I became aware of the struggle that many of these parents were experiencing in educating and challenging their gifted children. I also realized that many families were also seeking a broader gifted community. Athena’s was my solution to both issues—educating students and connecting gifted students with each other.

The first order of business was to properly educate and challenge my students at Athena’s. As the only instructor at the time, I started with a handful of courses. As Athena’s grew, I watched our Athena’s community take shape in the Social Forums and during webinars.
Before long, Athena’s began attracting educators and parents who were interested in teaching through our program. This allowed us to expand to more subject areas, challenge more students, and strengthen our community.

I’m so proud of how far Athena’s has come in the last decade and I am looking forward to watching how our community grows and improves—both in the next decade and in decades to come.