Victoria P.S.
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Conference sparks emotional intelligence for gifted students
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – More than 500 gifted students from across the Thames Valley school district will try to catch the SPARK! at a two-day exploration of creativity and innovation at King’s University College on May 2 and 3, 2012. Emotional intelligence is often identified by employers as a valued asset within its workforce. The theme of this year’s SPARK! Conference – “Unexpected Gifts” – encourages students to look within themselves to discover their creative, emotional and intellectual potential. More than 108 workshops have been developed to ignite the SPARK!, including such diverse topics as learning about wild edibles, Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art combining dance and music), quantum mechanics and global food systems. Among the workshop presenters are internationally acclaimed slam poet Ian Keteku, noted environmentalist Tzeporah Berman, storm chaser George Kourounis and Juno Award winner Buck 65. “The goal is to elicit a spark among bright, talented and gifted students,” said organizer Sean Mattys, an itinerant teacher of gifted students with the Thames Valley District School Board. “The students who attend this conference tend to have a strong intellectual grasp on the world around them, but we want them to discover other ways of knowing as well,” Mattys said, adding that the workshops engage the students in making meaningful connections to the world around them. This event is a collaborative effort between TVDSB and King’s. “The SPARK! Conference is a very special event here at King’s,” noted Principal David Sylvester. “To see students from across the Thames Valley Board exploring new frontiers together, and having a whole lot of fun while doing so, is nothing less than inspiring. "King's is delighted to welcome these young women and men to our campus and is pleased to partner with the Thames Valley District School Board on such an important initiative,” Sylvester said. TD Friends of the Environment and the Home Country Folk Festival are lead sponsors along with King’s College, which has donated use of the campus, catering and participation of faculty members and students. For More Information: Media opportunity: Contact:
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