ACADEMIC CHALLENGE CUP

Gifted Resource Council sponsors Academic Challenge Cup, a series of friendly academic competitions in math and creative problem solving for St. Louis area students.

The games all have one thing in common: they teach children how to think, not what to think.

ACC 2024

ACC Requirements:
Students in grades 2nd – 8th

ACC Dates:
Monday, Feb. 24 – Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Doors open at 9:00; competition begins at 9:30. We’re usually wrapped up by 12:30.

ACC Location:
University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL)

ACC Cost:
Early Bird pricing will be $90 team; $100 after that. We’ll have dates for early bird pricing in the fall.

 

More information is available at the GRC office
Call – 314.962.5920
Email – 
info@giftedresourcecouncil.org.

“Thanks again for doing a great job at the recent ACC event. My boy had a great experience!”
- PARENT

ACC 2025

EQUATIONS

Typically, grades 6-8 play on Monday; and grades 3-5 on Tuesday – Thursday. A complete schedule will be available in the fall.

A game of creative math that provides players with practice in arithmetic operations and assists in developing an understanding of number concepts, number systems, factors and primes, order of operations, and simple algebraic equations.

Equations players compete against people from other teams in several rounds. The five team members’ scores are calculated collectively to determine team winners.

Download a copy of the 2023 Equations rules.

Official Equations Practice Scoresheet Sample

CREATIVE CONVENTION

Grades 2 – 4  – Creative Convention teams typically play on Friday of ACC week.

This competition requires less advanced preparation, but greatly benefit from creativity exercises, team building work and presentation practice.

Creative Convention teams of five work together to develop, design and construct a solution to a lifestyle problem; teams are scored on teamwork and creative problem-solving.

FREE WORKSHOPS

Students learn to compete with the help of teachers and parents who coach interested students by playing the game and providing strategic tips.

Free workshops are available for parents and teachers to learn the challenging games of Academic Challenge Cup. To take a workshop, please call the GRC Office at (314) 962-5920 to register.

Equations Coaches’ Training:
We will have at least two coaches’ trainings – likely one in October and one in November.

Creative Convention Coaches’ Training:
We will have at least two coaches’ trainings – likely both in November.

“I love all of the critical thinking I saw happening during this year's rounds. The atmosphere at this year's competition was positive, friendly, and supportive.”
- ACC COACH

Academic Challenge Cup 2025 Registration will open in the fall.

  • Fill out the online form and submit payment securely with PayPal using a debit or credit card.

  • Fill out the online form and submit payment by cash or check. The application will not be processed until receipt of deposit.

    Gifted Resource Council
    10425 Old Olive Street Rd., LL1
    Creve Coeur, MO 63141

“More and more kids are interested in learning the game, and they LOVE playing it. They want to play it all the time! In fourth grade, they have to learn concepts that aren't part of our normal curriculum, so they are challenged even more.”
- ACC EQUATIONS COACH

Laura Falk, M.Ed.

Executive Director

Laura brings more than 25 years of experience in the education and nonprofit sectors. Laura has worked in public and independent schools for almost 20 years, as well as nine years in nonprofit organizations. She has bachelors degrees in English and Theatre from Vanderbilt University and her masters in education from Southern Oregon University.

“As someone involved in education and organizations serving youth for my entire professional career, I particularly understand the importance of programs that address the needs and challenges of bright and talented children, as well as for their parents and teachers.”

She goes on to say, “Both my sons greatly enjoyed Equations competitions, and my younger son also participated in Creative Convention, Saturday Learning Labs, and Summer Academies. So I have seen—both as a parent and an educator—what a powerful presence GRC provides to bright and gifted students in the community..”

Outside of work, Laura can be found hiking, quilting, reading and doing word puzzles.

Megan Barr

Office Manager

Megan provides the delightful voice on the phone when someone calls GRC. She’s also a whiz with spreadsheets and databases and keeps the logistics side of the office humming. Her previous experience includes work as a technology trainer and administrative assistant at NESI, and the UMSL Computer Education and Training Center. Outside of work, Megan is a writer, crafter, and keeper of two wonderful cats, Loki and Freya.

Megan Barr

Marla Dell

Bookkeeper

Marla is GRC’s keeper of all things financial since 1995. Marla also provides the institutional knowledge in our tiny office, as she’s been involved with GRC since her son was a participant. Marla won the Gifted Association of Missouri 2001 Parent Award for her contributions to gifted education in Missouri. Marla can also often be found volunteering at her church, gardening, and playing with her new kitten Bubba.

Gifted Resource Council blue star

Stock Gifts

Contact your financial advisor and provide the information below to ensure a quick and accurate transfer of funds:

  • GRC’s broker: First Clearing Corp., Wells Fargo Advisors
  • D.T.C. #: 0141
  • Account #: 5580-7980
  • Account Name: Gifted Resource Council
  • Contact Name: Ray Palmer
  • Phone: 636-530-3401

Notify GRC of your intent to make a gift of stock, with the following information to Laura Falk, Executive Director, at 314.962-5920 or lfalk@giftedresourcecouncil.org:

  • Donor’s name
  • Name of the stock being transferred
  • Number of shares transferred
  • Transaction date
  • Name of your financial advisor or bank handling the transfer