Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Explore or Pine Car derby??

Grrrr, we originally had a conflict in January, so I registered GS9 for the Explore in Feb. I just saw his scout pine car derby is scheduled at the same time! This derby is a big deal to him, so I can't just say he's doing the Explore, forget the derby. Since I probably can't get a refund, I'm thinking about offering him monetary compensation(bribe!) to forego the derby and take the Explore.
I'll check with his scout leaders tomorrow and see if he can race his car with another pack on another day, but I don't know if he can.
I don't think there is any other date available for the Explore other than the Feb 21 date now, is there?

The same thing happened to us last year. I had paid for my son to take the Explore and I thought everything was set until I saw that the Pinewood derby was the very same day and I just couldn't take that away from him. This is his favorite part of cub scouts.

We could not reschedule in our area. When it came time to register for the Explore this year we just had too much going on so he didn't take it this year either.

Our solution: He can make his car and send it with someone else to check it in and race it if he doesn't get back in time. I'm thinking it might be possible for him to get back in time for the final heats, and he's fine with that.

Great solution! There was some sort of testing conflict with state FLL this year and I know that's exactly how it was handled.

Here's hoping he smokes the Explore and makes it in time to race his car!

I know, but I was counting on this test so I could get a handle on his abilities. He's never done above level achievement testing or IQ testing; all I know is he's in the 99% of his grade on achievement testing. If his car couldn't compete without him racing, we would forego the test.

I think you found a great solution, OHG!

I *really* hope the testing helps you figure out what you need to know.

So here's to a good test day, a set of clear-cut answers to all your questions, an early test finish, and a very fast car!

He's really excited about making his car this year. Last year he made the typical sport type car. The first two heats he came in 3rd & 4th, so after that he thought he'd turn it around and race it backward. Haha, he smoked 'em all after that! Unfortunately his first two heats were slow enough that he came in 4th and didn't get to advance to the district race.
So this year he's making the car similar to last years, only the front/back will be intentionally reversed, it'll look something like a bike racing helmet.

Clever! I love the experimental process...and people who actually learn from it!

HI OHGrandma,

Our area has a District Pinewood Derby at the local mall, a week or two after our Pack's Pinewood Derby. Maybe you should ask your Committee Chair or Cubmaster whether there is one in your area. If they don't know, they could ask your District Commissioner. I've heard that District and/or Area races are pretty common. In our area, it's not a race-off of the best of the packs -- just anyone who wants to attend from the district is welcome.

Good luck!

~S

Sounds like a good compromise I can promise that if if DS had to choose between taking a test and a soccer game, the soccer game would win hands down and there is NO way I'd get him to the test. If I did, his focus would be on getting done in time for the game not the test or sulking for missing it depending on the timing

We head to the Explore tomorrow morning... Right now DS is really excited to take it. He's even willing to forego staying up late tonight We'll see how it goes LOL.