A major impediment to fostering critical thinking in STEM programs is, ironically, state science standards. In 2012, the Thomas Fordham Foundation completed a review of multiple aspects of US state science standards and determined states averaged a "C-" overall, with only six states earning an "A." This article is about how teachers (whether in a…

Currently, American schooling, driven by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and standardized tests, emphasizes development of intelligence. Because of this, teachers must heavily emphasize acquisition of foundational information (facts) in lectures, assessments, and of course, time-consuming test preparation, at the expense of intellect, that…

Creative and critical thinking have been identified by Isaksen, Dorval, and Treffinger (2000) as the ability to "perceive gaps, challenges, or concerns; think of many varied or unusual possibilities; or elaborate and extend alternatives," as well as make meaningful connections that include analyzing, evaluating, and developing options. Business…

Gifted students use their advanced language abilities and communication skills to participate in intellectual banter. How might educators encourage them to have more thought provoking discussions? Since gifted kids generally learn rapidly, retain information easily, see unusual relationships, and have strong needs to know, they should be provided…

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that involves organization, presentation, and interpretation of data, both quantitative and qualitative. Data do not lie, but people do. On the surface, quantitative data are basically inanimate objects, nothing more than lifeless and meaningless symbols that appear on a page, calculator, computer, or in one's…

In some classrooms, gifted students are not exposed to the large and complex body of information and knowledge available today; instead, they are limited to what is deemed appropriate for the majority of their classmates. As a result, capable bright students may not develop the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze, synthesize, and…

They are verbal. They make connections well and obviously. They ask many questions, some of which one had not considered nor probably would think of considering--especially not at their ages. They enjoy the pursuit of knowledge because they are inquisitive and desire to know more. Knowledge to them does not have to be attached to school…

"Fast Track" is a pseudonym for an accelerated, advanced language arts program for verbally gifted and high potential students in grades 6-8. The critical thinking model used for "Fast Track" was gleaned from Coalition of Essential Schools founder Ted Sizer's Habits of Mind: significance, evidence, connections, perspective, and supposition, as…

Students have used Cogito.org to pose and/or solve math problems and brain teasers, share their experiences in academic competitions, debate the pros and cons of using biofuels for energy, design an alien world based on sound scientific principles, and expand their cultural understanding by connecting with students from around the world.…

With the evolution of technology, students can now take online classes that may not be offered in their home schools. While online courses are commonly found in many high schools, WebQuests are used more commonly in elementary schools. Through the exploration of WebQuests, students are able to integrate the Internet into classroom activities. The…

This article discusses the nature of critical thinking and ways to teach children to be critical thinkers. The need to model critical thinking is stressed and guidelines are presented for evaluating the credibility of a source (investigating clarity, expertise, objectivity, and accuracy record), and for evaluating the quality of evidence. (CR)

This article discusses ways that educators can encourage critical thinking in their students, including gifted children. Strategies include: questioning students to encourage critical thinking; developing and prizing creative thinking as a partner to critical thinking; and realizing that if students can learn critical thinking skills, so can they.…

A parent of a gifted preteen discusses how parents can promote critical thinking in their gifted adolescents. Parents are urged to focus three levels of cognition where critical thinking is believed to take place: analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Examples of positive interactions and questioning techniques are provided. (Contains 1 reference.)…

This article discusses promoting critical thinking in gifted children and explains the elements of Bloom's Taxonomy: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Web sites are provided for information on Bloom's Taxonomy and elementary, secondary, and postsecondary instruction. Web sites on other aspects of critical…

Using young women with eating disorders as examples, this article examines how misdirected critical thinking can become very non-productive. The negative side of the characteristics of critical thinkers (precise, reflective, analytical, and reasonable) are described in these adolescents, and key steps to addressing misdirected thinking are…