Applications are now open for Summer Research and Experiential Learning Opportunities (SRELO) through the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. SRELO pairs 40 students, based on competitive application, with IMSA faculty mentors for a two-week on-campus research experience in June 2026 (with an additional online component). Designed to nurture students' interest in advanced topics, the program is open to all rising 11th and 12th grade students living in Illinois, especially students in groups where there is a historical disparity in participation in STEM fields and limited representation at IMSA. Applications are due Feb. 20.

Calling Illinois youth poets!

2026 Submissions now open: January 1 - May 1

The 2026 Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards are accepting submissions now until Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Illinois students in grades K to 12 can submit a poem via the online portal. Winners will be announced in August. Save the date for our 10th anniversary awards ceremony on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts.

Our friends at National Math Stars have let us know that applications for their free programs opened last week and will be open through June 15th for parents & guardians to apply. School districts nominations will be open through May 15th to allow for shipment of award medals.

National Math Stars focuses on supporting the top 2nd and 3rd grade math students across the country with free acceleration programs. The four main pillars of National Math Stars are continued academic development, community, financial assistance, and advising. These four pillars allow for NMS to push students to the frontiers of math & science, all while developing an amazing & friendship based community of young mathematicians.

If accepted into the National Math Stars programs, over the course of 10 full years, students will receive free advanced coursework, summer camp opportunities, mentoring in the STEM field, and many other tools at no cost to their school, district or family.

NMS recommends that school districts nominate the top 2-3% of both 2nd and 3rd graders at each elementary campus. Once nominations are submitted, you’ll receive a box of award medals & nomination letters to pass out to each student. Districts can reach out to Troy Scott at troy.scott@nationalmathstars.org to get this process started– or fill out this Google Form.

For parents/guardians of 2nd and 3rd graders, you can apply directly here.

National Math Stars is also hosting parent information sessions which can be accessed on this page.

Please take advantage of this free opportunity to have your students be celebrated for their math ability while giving them the chance to be a part of an amazing 10 year math program!

FREE VIRTUAL EVENT

JANUARY 22, 2026

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Supporting Gifted & Talented Children Beyond Academics

Join IAGC and Guest Speakers as they share their unique perspectives, resources, and practical tips for supporting and advocating for the social and emotional needs of your gifted child. As both parents and educators, these experts bring a wealth of experience in navigating the challenges and opportunities of supporting gifted individuals. This session will equip you with strategies to effectively understand, support, and advocate for your child or student, ensuring their emotional well-being and success.

IMSA is offering a free AI credential next semester to high schoolers living in Illinois! It is a one semester, asynchronous online course that runs from January 12 to May 29, 2026. More information can be found here.

PARENT TICKET for TUESDAY OCT 28 2025 IAGC CONFERENCE This Parent Ticket provides a one-day discount for parents, grandparents and caregivers to experience the many sessions at the 2025 IAGC Conference that are especially relevant for gifted and advanced learners and their families.  As part of the IAGC Annual Conference, parents are invited to attend engaging speakers, network with other parents and professionals, and connect with  exhibitor resources, alongside hundreds of conference attendees!  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2025 CONFERENCE WHEN:      Tuesday October 28, 2025 TIME:         8:00 am - 3:45 pm WHERE:    NIU Naperville Conference Center,  1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville IL  60563 WHO:    Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of Gifted Children, Advanced Learners, Twice Exceptional Students as well as PTA members, Gifted Support Group members, and parents who are curious about the policies that impact advanced learning opportunities and how to advocate for their children throughout their education journey.  NOTE: The Parent Ticket does NOT include PD Hour credit.  The Parent Ticket does NOT include a Box Lunch. Ticket Pricing IAGC Members $125 Non-Members $155 Plus 1 (Guest Ticket) $25 Become an IAGC Member Parent-Focused Highlights Keynote Speaker Dr. Brian Housand -- Cultivating Pearls of Potential: From Unseen Grit to Unforgettable Brilliance Attend up to 5 Parent Focused Strands including:  Acceleration and Identification Social-Emotional Learning and Support Addressing Opportunity Gaps Effective Use of Technology  Effective Program Leadership Network with our Exhibitors to learn about Resources, Services, and Opportunities for gifted children Opportunities to get involved with IAGC Policy & Advocacy Committee Note:  This is an adult-only event.  No childcare or children's activities are available.

The IAGC is proud to offer support to two educators and/or parents who would otherwise be unable to attend the Annual IAGC Conference, in honor of IAGC founding members, Mary Ann Paradise and Ruth Wright.

Awarded to TWO applicants, these scholarships provide a complimentary one-day registration to the IAGC Conference, held at NIU Naperville on October 27-28..

IAGC Conference Scholarship Application

Applications deadline is: September 15, 2025

Winners will be notified by: October 10, 2025.

CGCC Treasurer Pam Shaw is also President and Policy and Advocacy Committee Co-Chair for the Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC). IAGC advocates for the needs of advanced learners in the Illinois General Assembly.

How can you help at this time? SB1983 has passed the Senate and is scheduled to be heard this week by the Illinois House Education Policy Committee on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM. You can help by submitting a witness slip as a proponent of the bill prior to the committee hearing.

What Does SB 1983 Accomplish?

Language has changed to align with the move away from categorical grant funding toward the Evidence-Based Funding model, so references have been removed that tie gifted education provisions to state grant funding. Guidance for gifted programming is still present, but programming decisions are left to local schools and districts. The language change also removes the priority emphasis on language arts and mathematics, acknowledging that students may demonstrate potential in many ways.

To submit a witness slip, click or copy/paste this link: https://my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/Create/161376?committeeHearingId=21930&LegislationId=161376&LegislationDocumentId=201164

• Fill in your name and address in the IDENTIFICATION section
• In the Name field, include your degree(s), if applicable, without punctuation- MS, PhD, EdD, etc.
• For Firm/Business or Agency, put “self” unless your employer has given you permission to represent them
• For title, please list your professional title as applicable. For example: teacher, parent, student, administrator, gifted coordinator, etc.
• In the REPRESENTATION section, again, do not put your employer or any other group, unless you have permission to represent them. You are representing yourself. You can put some details, such as: “self as retiree,” “self as enrichment teacher,” “self as parent”, etc.
• In the POSITION section, please select “proponent” - this means you support the bill.
• Under TESTIMONY, click “Record of Appearance Only.” 
• Click to agree to the ILGA Terms of Agreement and click “Create Slip”

April is Autism Acceptance Month, a perfect time to share this new advocacy video, Autistic Culture 101: A 2E Perspective, the doctoral project of Andrea Brucella Finnegan, Ed.D., ABD, from the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity. CGCC Treasurer Pam Shaw's youngest was among seventeen twice-exceptional autistic teens and adults who contributed their perspectives to the video. 

This project is intended to be a neurodiversity-affirming autism advocacy video targeted at neurotypical students who don't yet understand autism well.

Dr. Finnegan shared, "As an artist, I was honored to illustrate what I learned from everyone's narratives and words of advice. It is my hope that someday all autistic people will be better understood and that all schools will strive to adopt a neurodiversity-affirming environment, where all students can feel comfortable being their wonderful, authentic selves."