Converge

Converge Summer Regional Governor’s School invites curious learners to experience a robust educational environment.  Converge serves rising 7th-9th grade identified gifted learners from participating Region 1 school divisions. The program creates a collaborative space where inquiry is celebrated and academic passions are ignited. Students engage in the areas in which our region offers gifted programming, including General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA), Specific Academic Aptitude (SAA), Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), and Career and Technical Education (CTE), fostering both depth and breadth of learning.

Converge will be held July 20-23, 2026 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and will offer a diverse selection of courses designed for identified gifted students. At Converge 2026, students will engage in hands-on, inquiry-driven courses designed to challenge curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Led by experienced educators, each four-day course encourages students to explore new ideas, collaborate with peers from across the region, and apply their learning through meaningful projects and problem-solving experiences in STEM, humanities, civics, and the arts. Here are the course offerings below:

Realms of Diplomacy: Learning Alliances, Negotiation, and Collaboration through Tabletop Role Play-Rising 7th Grade

• Students explore government systems, diplomacy, and economic decision-making through an immersive strategy simulation inspired by collaborative role-playing.

Echo Terra-Rising 7th Grade

• Students rebuild civilization in a simulated world, designing governments, managing resources, and solving interdisciplinary challenges collaboratively.

Sci-Fi or Sci-Fact: Exploring the Intersection of Science Fiction and Science-Rising 7th Grade

• Students investigate real-world scientific issues through science fiction, creating stories or media that inspire curiosity and social responsibility.

Myths that Shape the World: Power, Identity, & Human Nature-Rising 7th Grade

• Students explore myths from diverse cultures to examine identity, power, and morality while creating original myth-inspired projects.

Conservation, Collaboration, & Change: Protecting the Chesapeake Bay-Rising 7th Grade

• Students investigate Chesapeake Bay ecosystems while developing collaborative solutions to environmental challenges affecting the region.

Marine Biology & Environmental Conservation-Rising 8th Grade

• Students explore marine ecosystems, conservation challenges, and sustainability through scientific inquiry, environmental data analysis, and hands-on activities.

Reevaluating Learning and Assessment in the Age of AI-Rising 8th Grade

• Students examine how artificial intelligence is transforming education, creativity, and knowledge while exploring new approaches to learning.

Civics Connection at Converge: Preparing Students for Civics & Economics Instruction-Rising 8th Grade

• Students connect historical events to civic principles while building foundational knowledge for future civics and economics coursework.

Eye of the Beholder: The Psychology of Bias and Perspective-Rising 9th Grade

• Students explore bias, perception, and storytelling through The Twilight Zone while producing an original short film.

Analyzing Literature Through Podcasting-Rising 9th Grade

• Students analyze literature and produce podcast episodes exploring theme, symbolism, tone, and author’s purpose through media storytelling.

Creative Hustle: Entrepreneurship Through Beauty, Branding, and Innovation-Rising 9th Grade

• Students develop entrepreneurial skills by designing and branding original beauty or lifestyle products while learning marketing strategy.

Forensics Innovation Lab: Stranger Things Are Happening-Rising 9th Grade

• Students investigate a Stranger Things–inspired mystery using forensic science techniques, evidence analysis, and deductive reasoning.
  

Small class sizes and an outstanding faculty create an atmosphere ideal for meaningful engagement and intellectual risk taking. Students will engage in hands-on inquiry, exploration, and authentic challenges.

Applications will be available through the Gifted Coordinator for your respective district.

Classes are housed at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.

Lunch will be available for purchase. Here is a sample menu for the week. While this is only a sample, the options will be very similar to those listed here. Information on how to secure lunch will be in your district’s application.

PARTICIPATING DIVISIONS:

For additional information, please contact NaKita Lee, Program Director – [email protected]