Competitions for Showcasting Innovative and Creative Talents

Abstract

Competitions are recommended for identifying and providing for the exceptional talents of young people. Competitions have been a cornerstone of gifted education, putting talents to the test by enabling gifted students to showcase their abilities and receive acknowledgement and recognition for their talents. Competitions have been noted as “a training ground for excellence” (Riley & Karnes, 2007, p. 146), but also as “breeding grounds for problems with equity” (p. 151); however, there is support for the facilitation of competitions in schools or for individuals or teams of students. This article explores the literature on competitions, including issues of equity and excellence. It concludes that excellence with equity can be achieved for talented competitors through thoughtful, well-planned facilitation by schools and teachers, and provides step-by-step guidance for practitioners wanting to implement competitions in their gifted programmes. The article also highlights and details many of the international competitions that challenge and celebrate creativity and innovation, providing a description of each competition, contact details, entry criteria, costs, and prizes.

Keywords:

• Competitions
• equity
• excellence
• creativity
• innovation
• potential risk

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tracy L. Riley

Tracy Riley specialises in gifted and talented education. She is an Associate Professor at Massey University in New Zealand. Tracy is the chairperson of giftEDnz: The Professional Association for Gifted Education, a former delegate of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, and a delegate for the Asia-Pacific Federation.