Service Options
The Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students states in section 2.3A (Service Design) that "Out-of-school options relevant to the students' areas of strength are provided by school districts whenever possible (19 TAC 89.3(3)). Round Rock ISD supports the involvement of our gifted students in numerous programs and organizations which offer to meet the needs of our advanced learners outside the regular school curriculum. Campus participation in such programs is optional, but encouraged.
- Chess
Offered in grades K-12. Participation varies by campus.
Chess, as a game of higher-level thinking and strategies, has long been a love of GT kids. Please contact your school to see if chess is being offered in your campus.
- Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination is an extra-curricular program that fosters creativity and team-based problem-solving skills. There are two components to DI: "Instant Challenges" and "Team Challenges". Participation in DI is available for grades K-12 and teams compete only against their peers. Teams form in early fall. With a DI membership, a school can have teams of 5 to 7 students, with each team choosing one challenge from a field of five to solve. The solution is then presented at the Regional Meet in early spring.
Please contact your campus administration if you are interested in forming a team, joining an established team, and/or managing a team. Participation varies from campus to campus, and most DI teams are managed by parent volunteers.
- MathCounts
MathCounts is a nationwide mathematics competition for middle school (targeted at 7th and 8th grade) students. It is conducted on four successive levels: school, chapter, state, and national. The program features innovative problems and problem solving strategies designed to teach higher-order thinking skills. MathCounts is designed not only to recognize student achievement in math, but also to present students with tough competition in order to wet their appetites for math proficiency and mathematics-related careers. MathCounts Texas | Math Counts National
- Math Pentathlon
The Mathematics Pentathlon is a program of interactive problem-solving games, supportive curricular and instructional activities, and assessment tools for ALL students in grades K-7. This motivational program strengthens basic math concepts and skills, aligns with National and State Mathematical Standards, and stimulates creative thinking while developing problem-solving skills. A critical feature of this program is the linkage of arithmetic reasoning with geometric/spatial and logical/scientific thinking.
- Texas Future Problem Solving
The Texas Future Problem Solving Program is an interdisciplinary program, which follows a six-step modification of the creative problem solving process and requires students to use the higher level thinking skills of synthesis, analysis, and evaluation. The challenging materials are designed to motivate students to develop creative, critical, and analytical thinking skills as well as research skills; increase awareness of and interest in the future; develop teamwork skills and improve communication skills; and learn and use problem solving strategies. Students in grades K-12 may participate in four divisions of the program: competitive, curricular, community service, and scenario writing.
- Texas History Day
Texas History Day provides an opportunity for students to enrich their social studies curriculum through critical thinking, reading and writing and presentation of their knowledge through various media. This is part of a nationwide program called National History Day.
- University Interscholastic League
The UIL organizes and properly supervises contests that assist in preparing students for citizenship. It aims to provide healthy, character building, educational activities carried out under rules providing for good sportsmanship and fair play for all participants. Sensible organized competition under proper controls has demonstrated its value and has furnished inspiration to talented students for many years.
- Explore UT
Explore UT is an open house hosted by The University of Texas at Austin the first Saturday of March each year. Students in grades K-12 and their families take part in science, engineering, arts and cultural activities on the campus from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 350 hands-on activities, films, demonstrations, and exhibits offer explorers a day of learning fun and a first-hand look at research shaping our future. Explore UT is free and there’s no registration. Go online to see a full listing of activities, updated every January. Printed programs with activity times and locations are available at information centers upon arrival.