They are painting, playing music, acting, and creating — this week at the historic Dunbar Middle School. They are gifted Arkansas children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade learning and creating in a nationally honored UALR enrichment program celebrating its 30th year this summer.

SLUFY — UALR’s Summer Laureate University for Youth — has, for 30 years, been providing unique learning experiences for high-ability students to explore and expand their talents and abilities. The program offers a variety of classes taught by a staff that includes graduate students seeking masters degrees in teaching  the gifted and talented as well as certified master teachers, and other experts.

“High ability students need teachers who challenge their level of thinking and teach them critical reasoning skills to grapple with advanced content,” said Dr. Bronwyn MacFarlane, UALR’s SLUFY supervisor and assistant professor of gifted and talented education. “SLUFY students enjoy an optimal match between the rigors of the curriculum taught and their ability to work with accelerated material. The students learn alongside other gifted peers who share a passion for learning and develop new friendships with SLUFY teachers and classmates.”

Under the guidance of Dr. Ann Robinson, president of the National Association for Gifted Children and UALR professor of gifted and talented education, UALR’s Center for Gifted Education has developed SLUFY into a premier program in the state for providing unique learning experiences for high-ability students to explore and expand their talents.

This summer’s 30th anniversary SLUFY class includes 326 students, 35 teachers, and nine program support staff members operating at the historic Dunbar Gifted and Talented Middle School. The July 12 to 23 summer session concludes Friday at 5:30 p.m.