Jackie Webb became the gifted coordinator in 2021, which, at the time consisted of just leading an accelerated reading program. While she loved her work there, she saw a huge opportunity for more students to expand the scope of services offered.
“I wanted to demystify the eligibility process for teachers as well as show them how to identify students for talent development.”
In the 2022-23 school year, The Wonder Lab was born.
The Wonder Lab at ICS is an enrichment and acceleration program that identifies and develops talent through collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. We are committed to educational equity and recognize that traditional testing may fail to identify students whose talents and potential may not be easily captured by standardized assessments. In the gifted education world, girls, English Language Learners, students from low socioeconomic statuses, and students of color have been historically underrepresented.
With this in mind, in addition to serving students who are found eligible for gifted services through the state qualification process, ICS also offers talent development to a broader range of children at ICS. Central to the Wonder Lab’s mission is the belief that all children benefit from talent development, and we strive to cultivate curiosity for a lifetime of discovery and creation.
ICS had 69 students receiving services at the end of the 2023-24 school year, or 14.5% (2 percentage points higher than the state of Georgia as a whole). 26 new students have already been found eligible this school year, and the number will continue to grow!
“Our goal is to mirror ICS’s diverse student population in the demographics of those kids who are newly eligible. We’re really proud that at least half of those newly identified students are kids who are traditionally underrepresented,” shares Ms. Webb. “We know they’re gifted—the question we’re seeking to answer is how do we service kids whose giftedness doesn’t necessarily show up on standardized tests.”
What does a day in the Wonder Lab look like? Student projects center around interdisciplinary topics of personal identity, elements of creativity, and critical thinking — how to work to solve problems and not just jump to conclusions.
For example, this month, 3rd Grade students designed and drew their own “MonsterGlyphs,” where the drawing is actually a code for learning more about the student who drew it. The monster’s body should be a shape with the number of sides matching the number of vowels in a students’ name. The angle of the monsters’ arms are acute or right angles depending on the length of the student’s hair.
This not only incorporates the “Who I am” identity framework that students learn about throughout their elementary school education, but ties in elements of geometry, critical thinking, and art and creativity!
Students in the Wonder Lab also can opt into afterschool enrichment activities with Ms. Webb like Science Olympiad or Reading Bowl to extend their community and learning time.
“The Wonder Lab has transformed how we approach talent development at ICS. It’s not just about identifying students who excel on traditional tests; it’s about creating opportunities for all students to explore their potential in meaningful ways,” said ICS Principal Diamond Jefferies “The Wonder Lab fosters critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity, empowering students to see themselves as problem-solvers and innovators. Its impact goes beyond academics—it’s building confidence, broadening horizons, and ensuring that every child has a chance to shine in their unique way.”