If you notice a plethora of smart kids downtown this weekend, don’t be alarmed. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and the Gifted Association of Missouri (GAM) is hosting ‘Gateway to Gifted”, the 56th annual convention and exhibit for gifted and talented education, this weekend at the America’s Center or the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel . The NAGC is an organization founded “to address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potential with appropriate educational experiences”, according to the organization’s website.

The exhibit will included presentations from American Mensa, the Center for Bright Kids, and several universities including Northwestern University, Ball State University and the College of William and Mary.

There will also be several keynote speakers. Howard Gardner, author of “Five Minds for the Future”, will talk about his research on education, and Polly Draper and Michael Wolff, parents of the stars of the syndicated TV show “The Naked Brothers Band” will speak about raising children in show business. There will be talks on early-childhood education in poor areas and the role of national education standards in schools. And everyone there will be much, much smarter than I am.

The exhibit and conference will conclude on Sunday morning.