Summer Symposium for Academically Talented Timberlane Middle School Students
June 30 – July 17, 2025
Mondays through Thursdays
9:15am -12:30pm
Mission Statement
Symposium for Academically Talented Middle School Students is a program of study designed to meet the needs of Timberlane Middle School’s advanced students. This symposium provides an academically challenging and stimulating program to enrich and expand the overall academic aspiration of students.
Eligibility
Students who meet the rigorous criteria for admission are eligible to apply.
Criteria
Students who are selected for this program must meet one of the following criteria:
1. Part of the Exceptionally Able (EA) Program
2. Currently have a cumulative grade average of an A in their current language arts or math class
Apply at http://bit.ly/summer-symposium
Application Deadline : May 1, 2025
Qualified students will be admitted on a first come, first served basis
*Students not enrolled at Timberlane may apply after May 1 – if space is available.
Registration is limited to 24 students.
Fee: $500.00 per person.
Deposit of $50.00 is due May 1, 2025 and the balance is due by June 1. Check – Money Order – Please make to TCNJ and write Symposium 2025 in memo
Mail to: The College of New Jersey
2000 Pennington Road Ewing, NJ 08628-0718
Education 108
Transportation
Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from the program. Parents must accompany the students to the classroom and pick them up at the classroom, or other announced locations. Specific times and pick-up and drop-off locations will be provided prior to the beginning of the program.
General Program and Course Description
Instructors from The College of New Jersey and Timberlane Middle School have designed an intellectually challenging and thought provoking program that actively engages students in interdisciplinary symposiums on Science Smorgasbord and The Power of Words. Both symposiums will challenge students to apply high-level problem solving skills, engage in opportunities to develop high level writing skills, and will require them to read high quality literature. Working as a team in a learning community, the students will create projects and presentations as both an individual and as a group.
Classes will be divided into sections of no more than twelve students. The class meeting schedule will be from 9:15am -12:30pm, Monday through Thursday. Students should bring a light snack and a drink. We are unable to provide refrigeration. Room, name of building, and drop-off and pick- up locations will be shared prior to the start of the program. Accepted students are required to attend an Orientation on a date to be shared in the future.
Part I: Science Smorgasbord – Delicious Morsels of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Course Description
These three broad science categories have various connections and we will explore areas of each including the following topics:
● What is the scientific process?
● Build an atom.
● Make mixtures and solutions and physically separate them.
● How can we speed up/slow down chemical reactions?
● Learn about acids and bases.
● Friction
● Density – can you make a marble float?
● Just because it is natural doesn’t mean it is a good ingredient.
● Bacteria are ubiquitous – let’s find them.
● Microbes and you – perfect together.
● All cells are not alike. Look at all types of cells from bacteria to fungi to plants and animals. This enrichment class will demonstrate the interconnections among the various science disciplines and spark a scientific excitement! Perhaps you will become the next great scientist!
Part II. The Power of Words Course Description
Teenagers are bombarded with advertisements in many aspects of their lives: through the TV, the internet, their cell phones and even in school. While they might be aware of an ad’s intent to sell a product, teens are often unaware of how the text, images and sounds are carefully crafted to influence their choices. In this course, we will examine current advertisements to learn persuasive techniques, manipulation of words and perpetuated stereotypes in order to become more media literate consumers, stronger persuasive writers and better critical thinkers. Students will learn the process and vocabulary associated with the creation of an advertisement, and then apply all that they have learned to create an original print and video advertisement. Through writing headlines and copy, creating persuasive visuals and logos, and displaying their knowledge of advertising techniques and effective word choice, students will realize the power of words and the impact of persuasion on their everyday life.
Instructors
The collaborating faculty on this project includes professors from the TCNJ School of Science, and instructors from Timberlane Middle School.
Science Smorgasbord
Instructor: Rita M. King, PhD
Dr. Rita M. King is a Supervisor of Math/Science Peer Tutors in the Tutoring Center at The College of New Jersey. As an adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology, she teaches a writing intensive freshmen seminar course called The History of Disease, as well as microbiology to nursing students. She holds an MS and PhD in Microbiology from St. John’s University. Her interests include emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
The Power of Words
Instructor: Barbara McCarty, EdD
Dr. Barbara McCarty has been a teacher at Timberlane Middle School since 1997. After teaching Language
Arts for fourteen years, she became Timberlane’s Media Specialist and works as an adjunct professor in the Ed Tech department at New Jersey City University, as well. With a love of literature, technology and the complexity of the adolescent mind, she strives to encourage students to actively engage in their learning experience through the use of technology and problem-based learning. Not only is Dr. McCarty involved in many school-based initiatives and curriculum writing, but she is also committed to engaging students in community service and extracurricular activities. Because of her active contributions to her students and school community, Dr. McCarty has been honored by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Jersey as a New Jersey Teacher of the Year as well as by Axalta and the Philadelphia Eagles as an All-Pro teacher. Dr. McCarty holds a BS in Secondary English Education from Temple University, a MS in Library and Information Science from Clarion University and an EdD in Educational Technology Leadership from New Jersey City University.
Final Project and Assessment
The students will be responsible for creating a final scholarly project or presentation as a culminating activity of their summer program. Students are expected to complete all of the required assignments throughout the program as well as the final project. Students who successfully complete requirements will receive an Award of Merit from The College of New Jersey on July 16, 2025. Grades will not be given to the students, but they will receive constructive feedback from the instructors.
Awards Ceremony
Parents will be invited to attend a recognition ceremony on July 16, 2025, at 6:30 PM. This program will also showcase the students’ work and will recognize everyone’s achievements.
Program Committee
● George Hefelle – TCNJ School of Education
● Dr. Rita King, Supervisor of Math/Science in the Tutoring Center, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology, TCNJ
● Dr. Barbara McCarty, Media Specialist, Timberlane Middle School
Symposium Contact information:
For application and payment questions:
George Hefelle 609-771-2540 aspire@tcnj.edu https://step.tcnj.edu/summer-college-experience/
For all other questions:
Dr. Barbara McCarty Dr. Rita King
(609) 737-4004 ext. 4122 kingrm@tcnj.edu
barbaramccarty@hvrsd.org
Apply at: https://bit.ly/2025SummerSymposium
Download the 2025 Summer Symposium Brochure