Six-Year Sequence
Project EXCITE's six-year program model provides participants with excellent instruction in mathematics and the sciences and the chance to bond with like-minded students. With a strong foundation of knowledge and a supportive network of friends, Project EXCITE graduates can enroll with confidence in Evanston Township High School’s most challenging honors and AP® courses.
Students who have been accepted into the program participate in various activities during each year of the six-year sequence. This year’s program schedule can be found on the dates and locations page.
The descriptions below summarize the different activities that EXCITE students participate in throughout the entire sequence. In addition, students in middle school are invited to participate in weekly tutoring sessions at Northwestern University. Family meetings also occur throughout the year to keep parents updated and to allow families to get to know each other better.
Grade 4
During the fall and winter, students continue to work together as a group in a course specifically designed for EXCITE students only, offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University. During these Saturday sessions, students spend their time on class activities designed to foster group collaboration in solving engineering and science problems. EXCITE students also participate in mathematics and science-oriented activities aimed at preparing them for material that they will encounter the following trimester at their respective elementary schools. During the summer, students have the option of enrolling in EXCITE’s math and reading program hosted at one of the District 65 schools.
Grade 5
In grade 5, EXCITE students expand their peer group by taking classes with other gifted students from the Chicago area. During the fall and winter, EXCITE students and their parents select classes from the many mathematics and science courses offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and EXCITE parents are urged to select classes early for their children.
Grade 6
As EXCITE students move into middle school, they come back together as a group and participate in a fall and winter course specifically designed for EXCITE students only. These courses are offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. During these Saturday sessions, EXCITE students spend their time on class activities designed to increase their understanding of important math and science concepts, provide opportunities to collaborate with other students to solve interesting math and science problems and develop strategies to help them successfully transition to middle school. During the summer, students participate in the Summer Apogee Program offered through Center for Talent Development. In this program, students spend three weeks on Northwestern’s campus participating in enrichment activities and taking a math or science course of their choice, along with other gifted students from around the world.
Grade 7
In grade 7, EXCITE students continue to expand their peer group by taking classes with other gifted students from the Chicago area. During the winter, students and their parents are free to select classes from the many mathematics and science courses offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and EXCITE parents are urged to select classes early for their children. During the summer, students participate in a three-week science program at Evanston Township High School. This course focuses on biology, chemistry and physics and is designed to give students significant laboratory experience.
Grade 8
During the final year of the program, students and their parents select winter classes from the many mathematics and science courses offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and EXCITE parents are urged to select classes early for their children. During the summer, students have the option of enrolling in the Summer Spectrum Program offered through Center for Talent Development OR participating in the Bridge Program offered through Evanston Township High School. Both programs last for three to four weeks and prepare students to be successful as they transition to high school.
Students who have been accepted into the program participate in various activities during each year of the six-year sequence. This year’s program schedule can be found on the dates and locations page.
The descriptions below summarize the different activities that EXCITE students participate in throughout the entire sequence. In addition, students in middle school are invited to participate in weekly tutoring sessions at Northwestern University. Family meetings also occur throughout the year to keep parents updated and to allow families to get to know each other better.
Grade 3
Twice a month from November through May, students participate in after-school mathematics and science activities specifically designed for EXCITE students. Activities are held at Evanston Township High School and Northwestern University. Examples of topics discussed include: basic measurements of lengths and angles, waves and magnetism, biology, physics and more. During the summer, students have the option of enrolling in EXCITE’s math and reading program hosted at one of the District 65 schools.
After-School Tuesday Dates:
- November 15
- November 29
- December 6
- January 31
- February 14
- February 28
- March 13
- April 10
- April 17
- May 15
- SUMMER 2012
- Grade 3 and 4 Summer Reading and Math Program
Grade 4
During the fall and winter, students continue to work together as a group in a course specifically designed for EXCITE students only, offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University. During these Saturday sessions, students spend their time on class activities designed to foster group collaboration in solving engineering and science problems. EXCITE students also participate in mathematics and science-oriented activities aimed at preparing them for material that they will encounter the following trimester at their respective elementary schools. During the summer, students have the option of enrolling in EXCITE’s math and reading program hosted at one of the District 65 schools.
- FALL (October 1 to November 19)
- Fall EXCITE Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- WINTER (January 14 to March 3)
- Winter EXCITE Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- SUMMER 2012
- Grade 3 and 4 Summer Reading and Math Program
Grade 5
In grade 5, EXCITE students expand their peer group by taking classes with other gifted students from the Chicago area. During the fall and winter, EXCITE students and their parents select classes from the many mathematics and science courses offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and EXCITE parents are urged to select classes early for their children.
- FALL (October 1 to November 19)
- Fall EXCITE Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- WINTER (January 14 to March 3)
- Winter EXCITE Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- Summer 2012
- Summer Reading Program – Evanston Public Library
Grade 6
As EXCITE students move into middle school, they come back together as a group and participate in a fall and winter course specifically designed for EXCITE students only. These courses are offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. During these Saturday sessions, EXCITE students spend their time on class activities designed to increase their understanding of important math and science concepts, provide opportunities to collaborate with other students to solve interesting math and science problems and develop strategies to help them successfully transition to middle school. During the summer, students participate in the Summer Apogee Program offered through Center for Talent Development. In this program, students spend three weeks on Northwestern’s campus participating in enrichment activities and taking a math or science course of their choice, along with other gifted students from around the world.
- FALL (October 1 to November 19)
- Fall EXCITE Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- WINTER (January 14 to March 3)
- Winter EXCITE Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- SUMMER 2012
Grade 7
In grade 7, EXCITE students continue to expand their peer group by taking classes with other gifted students from the Chicago area. During the winter, students and their parents are free to select classes from the many mathematics and science courses offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and EXCITE parents are urged to select classes early for their children. During the summer, students participate in a three-week science program at Evanston Township High School. This course focuses on biology, chemistry and physics and is designed to give students significant laboratory experience.
- WINTER (January 14 to March 3)
- Winter Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- SUMMER 2012
- Summer Science Program – Evanston Township High School
Grade 8
During the final year of the program, students and their parents select winter classes from the many mathematics and science courses offered through the Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and EXCITE parents are urged to select classes early for their children. During the summer, students have the option of enrolling in the Summer Spectrum Program offered through Center for Talent Development OR participating in the Bridge Program offered through Evanston Township High School. Both programs last for three to four weeks and prepare students to be successful as they transition to high school.
- WINTER (January 14 to March 3)
- Winter Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) Classes
- SUMMER 2012
- Summer Bridge Program – Evanston Township High School
- Northwestern’s Spectrum Program
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