Vineland Public Schools: Parents and Guardians

Challenge Programs

The following challenge programs are offered by the Vineland Public Schools. Implementation of these programs is based upon the availablity of advisors at each school building

ROGATE (Resources Offered in Gifted And Talented Education/Grades 7 & 8) – This program provides students with opportunities to explore advanced academic topics while substantially strengthening their capacity to conduct and to present original valid research. Additionally, students may take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) and attend Academic Interest Lectures set up specifically for them on college campuses

COGNETICS (Grades K-8) – COGNETICS teaches creative problem-solving processes to student teams who work on any of six annual problems in the arts, communication, social, applied or pure sciences. The resulting interactive team performances offered at multi-district spring expositions have included such diverse designs as amusement parks, special effects video tapes, African and Nordic folktales, and time machines.

SITE (Student Inventions Through Education/Grades K-8) – SITE teaches students to identify a problem/need, brainstorm solutions, research ideas in the marketplace, generate alternate solutions, test and refine solutions, log the results in a systematic manner, and finally present it to judges both at their local school competition and our regional competition.

FIRST ROBOTICS ( For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology/High School) – The FIRST Robotics competition challenges teams of students and their mentors to design and build a robot in a six-week timeframe, using a standard “kit of parts.” The teams have to analyze the game and strategize what type of robot would perform well. Typical teams meet months in advance of the building period to learn basic skills and be better prepared. The goal is not simply to build a robot; the robot is a vehicle for learning much more. The real goal is building a collaborative team, a supportive community and a solid strategy for problem solving during the competition.

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND (Grades 3-12) – The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems. They are free to express their ideas and suggestion without fear of criticism. The creative problem-solving process rewards thinking “outside the box.” While conventional thinking has an important place in a well-rounded education, students need to learn how to think creatively and productively.