MISSOULA – The PEAK Gifted and Talented program in the Helena School District helps nurture students with exceptional abilities.
Their fourth graders made a stop at the University of Montana to give presentations on topics they have been studying all year.
“It’s a huge opportunity for the kids to boost their confidence in being able to talk to others, especially coming here, being on their own and then they’re talking to complete strangers, which in and of itself is very nerve-wracking, even for adult,” said 4th grade PEAK teacher Marianne Baumeister.
Each presentation was three to five minutes, and the theme was on overcoming adversity.
The students were responsible for not only a speech, but also for constructing a creative component.
Though they all shared the same theme, the topics were very different from one another.
“I did my independent study report on Bethany Hamilton. I feel really great that I get to be in PEAK and get to do stuff like this that I wouldn’t get to do in a normal classroom,” said fourth grade student Elsie.
Not only were audience members allowed to interview students but they also submitted a grading rubric for each presentation.
You can learn more about the PEAK program on their website.
