Üstün Yetenekliler Eğitimi Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol.3, no.2, pp.1-10, 2015 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
In this article the historical and current process about STEM education for gifted and talented in Turkey will be described. Identification of giftedness will be presented at the beginning. The article will end up with detailed explanations of cultural practices regarding the STEM educations for gifted and talented in Turkey which are Beyazit Ford Otosan Primary School, Turkish Education Foundation Inanç Türkeş Special High School, Science High Schools and Anatolian High Schools entitled formal education practices; Science and Arts Centers, Educational Programs for Talented Students, Child University Research Centers entitled informal education practices; Ministry of National Education and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey entitled supporting agencies. Private schools, university based programs and after-school programs are basically supportive for gifted students at the elementary level. Those programs mostly focus on enrichment practices. There are some specific school programs for gifted students at secondary and high school levels. Enrichment and acceleration interventions constitute the underlying program differentiation philosophy at these schools. Besides, there are some supporting institutions for gifted people at all ages which basically organize Olympiads and summer schools. These institutions provide opportunities for gifted learners to study at higher levels and to interact with experts in STEM fields. Identification of gifted students relies basically on traditional IQ tests and academic success in most of these practices.