By: Carlos Uribe, San José de las Vegas

About San José de las Vegas

For several years, San José de Las Vegas School (Medellín, Colombia) has prioritized successful involvement in international projects to impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to Education. The school aims to be globally recognized for its leadership, excellence, and innovation in contributing to sustainable development.

Therefore, with the objective of participating in programs developed by highly qualified international organizations in areas related to undergraduate studies, research, community and global experiences, academic interdisciplinarity, and leadership development, San José de Las Vegas School participated for the first time in the GERI CAMP at Purdue University.

Experience at the GERI CAMP

In the summer of 2024, San José de las Vegas School enrolled in the GERI CAMP of Purdue University's Gifted Education Resource Institute, where six eighth-grade students (five boys and one girl, aged 15) attended the Purdue Honors College facilities to learn, enjoy, and make the most of this international experience, which lasted for two weeks in Lafayette, Indiana.

The camp included a series of morning and afternoon classes, chosen based on the students' preferences and affinities. After classes, the students, along with their counselors, worked on the affective curriculum, as well as participated in various sports activities primarily held at the CoRec (Recreational Sports Center). The affective curriculum was tailored to the students and their different learning styles, based on the theory that no two humans are genetically identical. This approach aligns with San José de las Vegas School's emphasis on Personalized Education in its daily educational activities.

During the classes, students engaged in activities that required the constant use of a second language, utilizing all their personal skills while interacting with other students and employing all language competencies, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They also had to reflect, participate in discussions and debates, share their viewpoints, synthesize learnings, identify problems and opportunities for improvement, and develop critical and creative thinking, whether working individually or collaboratively.

The students from San José de las Vegas were academically prepared, motivated, and committed to learn, which was crucial for making the most of their 15-day experience at the GERI Camp.

What did the students learn after participating in the GERI CAMP?

In terms of skill development, the students found that various enriching subjects aligned with their interests were offered, such as Pseudocode Games, Geology, Artificial Intelligence, Art and Science Design, the Solar System, etc. All these subjects were project-based, requiring students to demonstrate their learning, coinciding with the active methodologies promoted at San José de Las Vegas School. Additionally, the students appreciated the profile, experience, and background of the leading professors, many of whom were pursuing their PhD.

Improvement of English as a second language

For the students of San José de Las Vegas, this camp represented an opportunity not only to enhance their linguistic competence in a language different from their mother tongue, but also to understand the importance of English as a vehicle to connect with the world and other cultures, which is one of the school's objectives in developing global citizenship.

Social and Interpersonal Relationships

Regarding the social component and interpersonal relationships, the students acknowledged that the camp allowed them to interact with other students from different parts of the world, exposing them to a multicultural environment. This experience also enabled personal growth in terms of personality, self-confidence, security, and self-esteem.

The students expressed that they felt supported and protected by the GERI CAMP staff throughout the experience. The activities and logistics were well planned and executed by the GERI CAMP staff. Although, the students valued the cultural exchange of shared rooms, they found it challenging in terms of coexistence in the same bedrooms. For future experiences, it would be beneficial to expand the itinerary to include visits to other cities like Chicago, as they only visited one museum.

How did the students develop the IDGs at GERI CAMP?

Carlos Uribe, a teacher from San José de las Vegas School who also participated in the GERI CAMP as a chaperone, provided valuable insights into the experience and the development of internal development goals. He stated, "The way the students gained more confidence in public speaking through mobilization skills, connection, integrity, and authenticity of their thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs in a multicultural environment was essential to the success of this camp."

What other experiences are we carrying out with Purdue?

Furthermore, it should be emphasized that aside from the GERI CAMP, the SJV school has been carrying out other active learning experiences that expand and further strengthen the skills and abilities of students, using English as a bridge of connection in an interdisciplinary way. The ASTROPHYSICS CAMP, led by Dr. David Sederberg, is also part of the alliances with this University, an experience that takes place annually (October 2024) in order to know, interpret the universe and fall in love with science in an immersive way.