Summer 2017 Grades 8–10

The Duke TIP Summer Studies Program at Duke Kunshan University

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Welcome!

The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization that serves the educational needs of academically talented youth. Through talent searches and a wide variety of educational programming, Duke TIP motivates and supports gifted students who are passionate about learning, eager for an academic challenge, and excited about building a community of lifelong friends. As a global leader in gifted and talented education, Duke TIP works with students, their families, and educators to identify, recognize, challenge, engage, and help students reach their highest potential.

Over the past thirty-six years, Duke TIP has worked with more than 2.5 million academically talented students. TIP is affiliated with Duke University, which is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, and TIP’s main offices are located near the Duke campus in Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Duke Kunshan University is a Sino-American partnership of Duke University and Wuhan University to create a world-class liberal arts and research university offering a range of academic programs for students from China and throughout the world. A nonprofit, joint-venture institution, Duke Kunshan was granted accreditation approval by China’s Ministry of Education in September 2013 and welcomed its inaugural class of graduate students in August 2014.

“She's grown up and can live independently. She is able to solve high-level problems, and she is very willing to do things that she's never seen before. She became courageous and willing to challenge herself. She's started to think of things in a different way than before. I am very proud of my child.”

–Parent of 2016 Summer Studies in China Participant

www.tip.duke.edu/china

With the goal of spearheading the future of higher education, Duke Kunshan is influenced and informed by both Chinese and American traditions of higher education. The university’s innovative academic programs inspire students to master academically rigorous course work, generate new ideas, and develop creative solutions to the world’s challenges.

Located in close proximity to both Shanghai and Suzhou, Duke Kunshan is a two-hundred-acre campus within the Kunshan Yangcheng Lake Science Park and features state-of-the-art classroom and meeting facilities, library resources, student and faculty housing and dining space, and recreational facilities. Multipurpose academic and residential space allows students to work individually or in groups to participate in a vibrant, intellectual life on campus. For more information, see www.dukekunshan.edu.cn.

In July 2017, Duke TIP and Duke Kunshan will offer a premier three-week residential program for academically talented students in grades eight through ten on the campus of Duke Kunshan.

We hope you will join us this summer!

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The Duke TIP ExperienceDuke TIP launched the Summer Studies Program

in China in 2015 based on a tradition of

educational programs that have been challenging

academically gifted students around the world

for thirty-six years. Duke TIP Summer Studies

Programs offer superb academic opportunities,

as well as dynamic residential and social

experiences. The three-week programs

are intense and demanding. Students

are challenged to think critically about

themselves and their world.

Duke TIP Offers:expert instructors, nearly all of whom hold or are working toward an advanced degree

innovative, interdisciplinary course topics reflecting cutting-edge research

an interactive educational model that encourages students to ask questions, offer opinions, think creatively, work collaboratively, and apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges

an intense, accelerated pace in the classroom: students attend a single class for seven hours each

weekday and three hours on Saturdays

a community of motivated and engaged peers committed to exploration and high achievement—

something many students have never experienced before

a dynamic and fun social and residential experience that complements the academic environment and provides life-long friendships

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The Duke TIP Experience AcademicsWhat happens in a Duke TIP course? As a Duke TIP student, you will focus on one course for three weeks. Courses are fast-paced and intense, often equivalent to one year of an American high school course or one semester of a college course. Duke TIP offers an ever-evolving curriculum that is driven by the expertise of our instructional staff, creating a setting in which you can explore cutting-edge research and ideas. The courses are designed to provide a challenge, not to help students struggling in a particular subject.

In the classroom, instructors employ a variety of instructional strategies, including:

• model building

• simulations of real-world activities

• group presentations

• debates and roundtable discussions

• guest speakers

• field trips

Duke TIP programs are conducted in English, and thus require a high level of English proficiency to master the course concepts, participate in the required classroom discussions and presentations, and fully engage in the program.

Who teaches at Duke TIP? Duke TIP’s Summer Studies instructors are diverse and talented individuals who embrace their role in the academic development of young scholars. Instructors are selected for their expertise in their field of study, and the instructional staff includes accomplished college and university instructors, exceptional graduate students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs, and outstanding teachers from public and private schools. The majority of Duke TIP instructors come from the United States.

Each instructor works with a teaching assistant who is bilingual in English and Mandarin. Teaching assistants are exceptional college students or recent graduate students from the United States and China.

How will I be evaluated? All students who complete the three-week term will receive a Certificate of Completion. Duke TIP does not assign final grades, either letter or numeric. The nongraded approach encourages a less competitive environment in which students can be comfortable taking intellectual risks that they might avoid in a stressful grade-driven environment. During the course, instructors evaluate students using criteria such as journal writing, presentations, individual research, and class projects.

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Diversity

Fine Arts

Health & Wellness

Leadership

Service

Residential Life Outside the classroom, Duke TIP residential counselors create a supportive community where participants have fun, develop leadership skills, and collaborate in a variety of social and recreational settings. Students often tell us that the friends they make at Duke TIP become friends for life. Residential staff members plan a wide variety of sports and activities following the TIPStar Programming Model, which focuses on the following five domains:

Diversity: Understanding and embracing our differences (example activities: community mural, history of regional cuisine, dancing)

Service: Supporting individuals within our own and surrounding communities (example activity: random acts of kindness)

Leadership: Exploring values, ethics, and identity (example activities: personality and strengths tests, debates, speech challenges)

Health and Wellness: Exploring healthy lifestyle choices (example activities: yoga, field day, Ultimate Frisbee competition)

Fine Arts: Fostering the creative arts (example activities: painting, playwriting, poetry night, improvisation, dances, talent show)

Though courses are in English, Mandarin is occasionally spoken among program participants during free time and residential activities.

HousingThe safety of students is our highest priority, and program locations are chosen very carefully. In addition to living in a safe campus environment, students are supervised by staff throughout the program. While at Duke Kunshan, you will be part of a twelve-to-fourteen person residential group and live in suite-style student housing. Duke TIP students may live on floors with members of the opposite sex; however, all halls have adult staff supervision, same-sex residential groups, and same-sex bathroom facilities. All residential rooms and classrooms are air conditioned.

DiningYou will eat all meals in the Duke Kunshan dining hall alongside residential and instructional staff members. Food is served cafeteria-style, and vegetarian meals are available.

TIP communityTo develop a positive and supportive community, Duke TIP sets high academic and social standards for students. Residential and academic staff members will supervise you and help you understand and adhere to Duke TIP’s behavioral expectations.

A Day in the LifeSample weekday schedule Monday–Friday

7:45–8:45 a.m. Breakfast

8:45–9 a.m. Meet teaching assistant, walk to class

9 a.m.–noon Class

Noon–1 p.m. Lunch

1–4 p.m. Class

4–5 p.m. Free time

5–6 p.m. Evening study with teaching assistant (Monday–Thursday)

6–7 p.m. Dinner with residential living group

7–9:30 p.m. Evening residential activities

9:30–10 p.m. Free time

10–10:45 p.m. Check-in with residential counselor; students must remain on the hall

10:45 p.m. Lights out

WeekendsClasses meet from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, while the rest of the weekend offers a variety of social and recreational options. Duke TIP staff create campus-wide activities such as tournaments, theme dances, and scavenger hunts. During free time, you can participate in optional group activities, relax, read, do laundry, or socialize. Staff members supervise students throughout the day.

My experience here was one of the best moments in my life. Almost everything was

perfect. I met many life-long friends and intelligent peers.

–US Summer Studies participant

Absolutely an experience of joy and challenges. You are able to meet phenomenal

people here and learn so much.” –China Summer Studies participant

Duke TIP Guide to Summer StudiesOnce you have accepted a course placement, you will receive the 2017 Guide to Summer Studies, highlighting the Duke TIP experience and providing in-depth information on the program’s policies, procedures, and expectations.

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Duke TIP at Duke Kunshan UniversityProgram fee: $4,300; 28,700 CNY

The program fee covers instruction, housing and meals, academic materials, and residential experiences. Scholarship assistance is available to families who demonstrate financial need.

Dates: July 9–29, 2017

CoursesAcademic Writing: Clarity, Power, and Persuasion

Writing is a complex process drawing on a number of skills from analysis and invention to revision and style. To write clearly, persuasively, and powerfully is a vital skill—in university and beyond. In this course, students will consider texts and current events, engaging in issues related to their own values and perspectives on the larger world. They will learn to effectively use library resources to conduct research and analyze writing models to express ideas with clarity, awareness, and engagement. Through this course, students will learn to read critically, gather information, hone arguments, and practice the rigorous level of writing necessary to succeed in a university environment.

Cryptology and Number Theory

The history of cryptology—the art of enciphering and deciphering—is one of the most exciting stories of applied mathematics. It is a story of conspiracies and intrigue, secret societies and intelligence services, war and peace, power and money. Governments and big corporations have been paralyzed by code breakers, and outcomes of wars have been influenced by cryptologists. The ongoing race between encrypters and attackers has led to ingenious and elaborate coding algorithms that make heavy use of classical results from number theory. Students will explore the elementary theoretical aspects of number theory, abstract algebra, and cryptology, and study monoalphabetic and polyalphabetic substitution ciphers, modular arithmetic and mathematical induction, basic probability theory, and elementary matrix theory.

Engineering Thinking and Design (grades 8 and 9 only)

To be a successful engineer, you need to combine insights from math and science and develop a wide variety of skills and tools to find innovative solutions to challenges in a dynamic, rapidly changing world. You need to understand complex problems and propose creative solutions, and this requires the analytical, emotional, and social intelligence to work with others, take risks, and learn from failure. In this course, students will collaborate in the use of multiple strategies to brainstorm, design, and construct projects; practice modeling and estimation techniques; test and evaluate project performance; and practice persuasion skills in friendly competitions. The course will provide an opportunity to dream big, think differently, and problem solve.

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Historical Epidemiology: Pathogens, Plagues, and Patient Zero

From the Black Death to smallpox to HIV/AIDS to the Ebola virus, disease continues to profoundly impact human history and the progress of societies. Study modern epidemiological techniques for tracking and analyzing disease impact on human society and apply those techniques to historical epidemics to better understand them. Evaluate diseases throughout the ages and their impact on society. Use the lessons of the past to develop modeling techniques for fighting modern disease. Grasp the responsibilities of organizations like the World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control and the role of consumer, technology, and social media in the quest to fight current and future epidemics.

Psychology of Decision-Making: Behavioral Economics

Integrate insights from cognitive psychology, social psychology, and behavioral economics to understand why people make the choices they make. Examine how the cognitive processes that help people make sense of complex information can also logically lead them astray in decision making. Investigate how emotion, motivation, and information-processing shortcuts interact with careful, rational weighing of information. As you study the surprising ways individuals actually make decisions, you will gain insights about decision making in fields such as healthcare, finance, education, and government.

From Start-Up to Billionaire: Entrepreneurial Leadership

Identify the keys to entrepreneurial success, including effective leadership, critical thinking skills, and the power of persuasion. Learn to move from ideas to marketable concepts to a viable business. Students will explore the workplace of the future, understanding entrepreneurial successes and failures, learning to identify and adapt to changing external factors, and exploring the leadership challenges of start-up organizations. Topics will include strategy, finance, marketing, the influence of changing demographics on consumer models, ethics, communication, the power of a persuasive presentation, and the role of social entrepreneurs. As a final project, students will develop a feasible business plan for their entrepreneurial ideas.

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AdmissionsDuke TIP strives to admit academically talented students we believe demonstrate qualities that will contribute to their success and enjoyment while attending the Summer Studies Program. Students must be able to think creatively, critically, and analytically—and to solve challenging problems both individually and collaboratively. On the residential front, students should have the high degree of open-mindedness and independence that is required to live with new roommates and to live away from home for an extended period of time while immersing themselves in an environment that may be culturally unfamiliar to them. Students should be prepared to engage with peers from other parts of the country and from around the world in both academic and residential settings.

Additionally, the program’s three-week courses are designed to facilitate intense, in-depth engagement with a topic in an area of strength—something that is useful in developing talent and passion—so students should demonstrate domain-specific achievement criteria. In other words, students should show that they have talent in a specific area (like math, science, or language). Doing so helps optimize the match between student strengths, interests, and course content, ensuring that students receive an appropriate level of challenge.

Admissions decisions for the Summer Studies Program in China are based on a portfolio admissions process. Students will submit an application that includes their most recent school transcript, a personal statement, a teacher recommendation, extracurricular activities, and other supplementary material they would like to include (e.g., ACT, SAT, or TOEFL test scores, or competition certificates). We will review students’ achievements within a specific domain, and final candidates will be invited to an interview that will be held in person or via online video (such as Skype).

Because courses are taught in English, students will need to demonstrate strong English proficiency to be considered successful candidates for the program.

We encourage parents to discuss the opportunity with their children prior to applying, as this will help potential students reflect and identify their strengths and interests. This is often the best way to support your child and to ensure a successful summer experience.

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3 Steps to ApplyStep1: ReviewRead the step-by-step application instructions found online at www.tip.duke.edu/china/application for detailed information on the process before you begin your application.

Step 2: ChooseIdentify the courses in which you are most interested and rank your choices from most preferred to least preferred. Only rank courses in which you would be willing to accept placement. Students will take one course throughout the term, but are encouraged to apply to all courses that are of interest.

Step 3: CompleteApply online at apply.tip.duke.edu/china.

China 2017 Important DatesApplications open December 5

Early application deadline* January 9

Interviews (via Skype) Beginning January 16

Interviews (in person, selected cities in China) Late February to early March

Regular application deadline March 1

Late application deadline March 13

Admissions decisions Within 3 weeks of interview

Payment deadline 3 weeks after placement decision

Program dates July 9 to July 29

When to apply*Priority decisions are given to students whose applications are submitted by the early application deadline. Duke TIP willcontinue to accept applications for the regular and late deadlines if program space is still available. Students are encouragedto apply early to increase their chances for placement. The advantages of applying in the first round include:

• a greater chance of being placed into your preferred course: we have more students apply than space available, andunfortunately we are unable to offer first-choice placement to all students who apply

• priority consideration for need-based financial aid

If you have questions or are unable to access the online application, please email TIPChina@tip.duke.edu.

Questions? Contact us at 001-919-668-9100 (English language service) or email us at TIPChina@tip.duke.edu.

300 Fuller Street • Durham, North Carolina 27701 • USA