Birthday celebration and lecture focuses on creative kids, teenagers

Parents, teachers and caregivers can hear about simple ways to enhance a child's creativity at an upcoming celebration hosted by the University of Georgia College of Education.

The Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development's "Connecting with Creativity: The E. Paul Torrance Lecture and 100th-year Birthday Celebration" honors the man who was a pioneer in gifted and creative education. This free event is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Magnolia Ballroom at the UGA Hotel and Conference Center, 1197 S. Lumpkin St., Athens. RSVPs are encouraged by emailing Desiree Sharpe.

The public is welcome to attend, says Sharpe, program coordinator with the Torrance Center, and the speakers will give parents, educators and others in the community a unique opportunity to learn from experts about the positive effects of incorporating and enhancing creativity into a child's daily life.

"Our speakers will discuss creative children and teenagers, how to shape their futures as creative adults and answer questions from the audience," said Sarah Sumners, interim director of the Torrance Center. The center, which is based at the UGA College of Education, continues the legacy of Dr. E. Paul Torrance, a former professor and a pioneer in the research and identification of creative potential.

The event features two speakers: Felice Kaufmann and Barbara Kerr.

Kaufmann, a research assistant professor at the New York University Child Study Center, will address what happened to young adults who were named Presidential Scholars in high school. This study highlights the diverse ways gifted students have developed over the years, and will also give parents and others insight into the ways parents can help their children grow.

Kerr is a distinguished professor of counseling psychology at the University of Kansas. She will speak about key research done on creative teenagers, drawing implications for education, guidance and their future as creative adults. Because creative teens often have dual interests in arts and science, they have the ability to become innovators in crossover occupations, she says.