D15 can be pretty reluctant to try new stuff. Generally if it is important, I ask her to give it a try, with the deal that she does not have to continue if the first try is not to her liking. Usually that works pretty well. For example, she was very reluctant to try Quiz Bowl at school. I prodded her to go to few practice, and promised that I would let her drop if she did not enjoy it after that. It is now her favorite activity of all.
So I agree that seeing if she can go shadow for a day at the gifted school would be a good thing.
