District Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Competitions/Activities

  • Academic Pentathlon: The newest program of the United States Academic Decathlon for middle school students was created to provide opportunities to experience the challenges of a rigorous team and individual competition in five events: Language and Literature, Mathematics, Music, Science, and Social Studies. The Pentathlon theme parallels that of the high school Academic Decathlon program.  (currently optional for a school to participate)

    Book Blasters: Book Blasters is a district-wide competition that involves a team of students who are responsible for reading approximately 12 selected novels. Teams then compete to see who reigns supreme in knowledge of the novels’ content.

    Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP): The 7th grade talent search through Duke University provides an opportunity for high-ability students to pursue above-level testing experience. 

    Poetry SLAMS: Each fall and spring, student poets from each middle school take the stage and share their writing with their peers.  SLAMS provide an outlet to express feelings, thoughts and ideas with an audience that yearns for student expression.

    Quiz Bowl: Quiz Bowl is an academic competition. A four-member team competes against the clock answering questions from various disciplines. Skills, such as teamwork, cooperative group discussion, problem solving, and reaction time, are enhanced through practices and competitions.

    Scholars: Seventh and Eighth grade students (selected) for the Scholars program engage in activities that are goal-oriented.  Students learn more about themselves, support one another, and achieve success at school. Various events are planned to prepare students for their high school years and beyond, i.e., College Campus tours, Gallup Strength Finder, ACT prep, etiquette course and more.

    Think Tank: Think Tank is a competitive problem-solving event for 7th and 8th graders held on the UNO campus. This day-long event features a game that involves creative problem solving.

     

    Bryan Middle Enrichment:

    Clubs/Activities/Competitions/Contests

    African American History Challenge: The African America History Challenge is a national educational program designed by the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to enhance the study of African-American history. The goal of the local competition is to encourage pride, self-worth, and an appreciation of the African-American legacy and culture in Omaha youth.

    Geography Bee: All Bryan Middle students participate in a written geography test.  Participants with the highest scores move on to Bryan oral Geography Bee.  The winner of Bryan Middle Geography Bee takes a written Qualifying Test for the state Geography Bee. 

    Student Mentoring Project (S.M.P.) -- This competition is for students interested in engineering and architecture. Under the direction of a local engineer mentor, students find a real-world problem, devise a solution, write a proposal and present that proposal to a panel of area architects and engineers.

    Math Contests: Math contests/competitions are available for all grade levels throughout the year.  Students in Grades 5 and 6 are selected to participate by classroom performance and teacher nomination. 

    Spelling Bee: The Omaha World Herald sponsors the Spelling Bee. This competition is open to all students. Students participate in mini-spelling bees in their Language Arts class. The top students then compete in the Davis Spelling Bee. The winner of the Davis Spelling Bee competes in the Omaha Public School District Spelling Bee.