The Many Faces of Gifted: Monica

By Carole Rosner

Every gifted person has a unique story. The following story is part of a series of posts depicting the many faces of gifted by highlighting gifted children and adults we have found through IEA programs. IEA’s Apprenticeship Program – mentioned in this story – links gifted high school students from across the country with mentors who advance each participant’s skills through the application of knowledge and exposure to real world experiences.

Monica Lienke
2001 Apprentice, Industrial Design at Art Center College of Design (Art Center)
Law Student, Stanford University

Twelve years ago, Monica Lienke was one of the first IEA Apprentices at Art Center. She worked closely with Stan Kong, a leading design educator in Los Angeles. She described her two-week experience as “long hours and a lot of work, but extremely gratifying. I remember feeling that I had learned a ton by the end of it. But probably the best part of the program was getting to know the other participants in the program, who were all incredibly talented and unique individuals.”

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Essential Oils and Kids

By Zadra Rose Ibañez

Outside of her work at IEA, Zadra helps educate others in sustainable ways to support wellness and healthcare, including the use of essential oils and products.

Image from http://www.bellasugar.com

Essential oils (EO’s) can have numerous beneficial effects on kids as well as adults and can be a holistic solution to health and mood concerns. They can reduce anxiety, increase focus, and have even been shown to have a positive impact in the classroom.

What is an Essential Oil?

An essential oil is a natural aromatic compound found in plant parts. “In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination….Essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.” (1)

Genius Day II: William Shakespeare

Genius Day, hosted by IEA’s Academy program, is a day of deep learning that gives students the opportunity to learn and work with an expert in the field as they uncover the contributions of a person we consider a genius.

Our second Genius Day took place on November 23 and was dedicated to the life and work of William Shakespeare. Like our inaugural Genius Day in June focused on Charles Darwin, November’s Genius Day was a great success! Hosted once again at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, we increased the number of spots available, and all were filled. Our delegates, the children, had read and prepared their pre-reading materials and were ready to dig deeper!

Led by Louise Hindle and Independent Shakespeare Company actor and educator Andre Martin, the day of deep learning began with an interrogation into the very concept of genius, then delegates engaged in a scavenger hunt exploring Shakespeare’s social, historical and literary contexts. After lunch, we were fortunate to enjoy a docent tour of the newly refurbished Library Hall and get up close to the First Folio. Thanks to Andre Martin, we closed the day and celebrated mastery through the dramatic exploration of Henry V.

Take a look at some photos from the event!