Creative Scholars Program fuels imagination, knowledge

The Mary Frances Early College of Education’s Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development will host the Creative Scholars Program this summer to provide a unique learning opportunity for students in grades 7-10.

Throughout the program, students stay overnight on the University of Georgia’s campus July 11-25 to study course curriculum in specialty topics. Instructors are trained to use research-driven, creative strategies in the classroom while teaching courses that are innovative, interdisciplinary and project-based.

Students complete one course for the duration of the two-week program, with options including creative writing, virtual and augmented reality, sports medicine, criminology, microbiology and epidemiology, robotics, neuropsychology and entrepreneurship.

“Regardless of what topic students choose, there’s a critical component of applying these topics to real-world issues,” said Desiree Sharpe, program coordinator in the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development. “We train our instructional staff on how to imbue creativity in to the classroom. What is distinct about the Creative Scholars Program is that we emphasize instructional support.”

Students complete both daily assignments and a long-term project during the course. Being an immersive experience, the program allows students to tackle advanced topics through a hands-on approach under the guidance of highly-skilled instructors.

“Young people who have an interest in an academic summer camp often have a strong desire to be around other students like them in a more immersive and concentrated way than they experience during their regular school time,” Sharpe said. “Additionally, these students make connections, get a chance to feel what college life is like, form mentorship relationships and have access to incredible resources we have at UGA. This camp is about self-discovery, growth and opportunity.”

The Creative Scholars Program seeks students who display qualities of leadership and motivation. Applications for the Creative Scholars Program will be accepted through June 6.