STEM, Logic, and Problem-Solving Games
The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) is proud to offer Summer Scholarships to support gifted students in pursuing enriching educational experiences beyond the traditional classroom. These scholarships provide financial assistance for students to attend summer programs, camps, and other specialized learning opportunities that align with their unique talents and interests. Whether exploring STEM, the arts, leadership, or other advanced studies, our scholarships help ensure that all gifted students have access to meaningful growth experiences. WATG is committed to fostering the potential of Wisconsin's gifted youth by expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities.
As part of the application, students must submit either an essay or a video/multimedia presentation, along with one reference letter from a teacher or a non-family member. The essay or presentation should address the following:
- Personal background and advanced enrichment needs.
- A description of the summer program or class you wish to attend and the reasons for your interest in it.
- An explanation of why you believe you are a strong candidate for this scholarship.
Student Summer Scholarships
Logo Contest
Calling all creative K-12 students across Wisconsin! Each year, Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted invites students to design a logo for our Annual Conference, and we're excited to see your creativity shine.
Deadline Extended: April 15, 2025 at midnight
Theme for the 2025 Conference: Take a Chance on Gifted Education!
Conference Dates: October 5–7, 2025
Location: Wisconsin Dells
Size: No larger than 4" x 4"
Color: Black and white only
Adaptability: Must be scalable (use bold lettering and simple, non-intricate designs)
Submit your original logo design to help us represent this year's theme! Winning artwork will be featured in conference materials and recognized statewide.
How to Submit: Email your logo to watg@watg.org
Adsumudi
Description: A card-based math game where players use arithmetic operations (+, –, ×, ÷) with numbers on their cards to reach a “secret answer.”
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops mental math, flexible number thinking, and creative problem-solving.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, students who enjoy math challenges and fast-paced strategy
Link:
https://amzn.to/3MaJ7TU
Azul
Description: A tile-drafting game where players collect colorful tiles to create patterns on their personal boards.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Encourages spatial reasoning, planning ahead, and pattern recognition.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, students who enjoy strategy and visual problem-solving
Links
Blokus
Description: An abstract strategy game where players place polyomino pieces on a board with corner-touch rules.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Enhances spatial reasoning, planning, and strategic thinking.
Ideal for: Ages 7+, learners who enjoy visual puzzles and tactical strategy
Link: https://amzn.to/4894vk4
Buildzi
Description: A stacking and building game using blocks with different shapes, colors, and textures.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops fine motor skills, spatial visualization, and creative design thinking.
Ideal for: Ages 6+, hands-on learners who enjoy building and experimenting
Link:
https://amzn.to/4r9V0cT
Carcassonne
Description: A tile-laying game where players build medieval landscapes with cities, roads, and fields.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Encourages strategic planning, tactical placement, and spatial reasoning.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, students who enjoy strategy games with evolving landscapes
Links:
Catan
Description: Resource-trading and settlement-building game; the junior version is simplified for younger players.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Teaches resource management, negotiation, planning, and probability.
Ideal for: Ages 6+ (Junior) or 10+ (Standard), learners who enjoy strategy and economic thinking
Links:
Circuit Maze
Description: Logic puzzle game where players build circuits with tokens to light up beacons.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Promotes sequential reasoning, problem-solving, and basic STEM concepts.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, students interested in circuits, logic, and engineering
Link:
https://amzn.to/3LR5r4W
Dragonwood
Description: Card and dice game where players collect adventurer cards to defeat mythical creatures.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Combines probability, strategy, and risk assessment.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, learners who enjoy fantasy themes and strategic decision-making
Link:
https://amzn.to/3JVgaLb
Gobblet
Description: A strategy board game like Tic-Tac-Toe with stackable pieces that can “cover” others.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Enhances strategic planning, memory, and abstract thinking.
Ideal for: Ages 7+, students who enjoy quick-thinking strategy games
Link:
https://amzn.to/4a4z6BH
Gravity Maze Builder
Description: A STEM game set that includes the classic Gravity Maze tracker and additional challenge cards – perfect for repeated use or group play.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Ideal for extending the challenge or playing with peers; supports guided thinking and spatial reasoning.
Ideal for: Family game nights, gifted students’ enrichment, classroom logic corner
Link:
https://amzn.to/485M6Ez
ITZI
Description: Tile-laying game focused on spatial placement and visual problem-solving.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops visual-spatial reasoning and pattern recognition.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, learners who enjoy puzzle-like challenges
Links:
Kanoodle
Description: 3D puzzle game using interlocking pieces to solve spatial challenges.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Encourages spatial visualization, logical thinking, and patience.
Ideal for: Ages 7+, puzzle enthusiasts and visual thinkers
Links:
K'NEX Building Sets
Description: Construction kits with rods and connectors to build vehicles, structures, and machines.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Supports engineering thinking, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving.
Ideal for: Ages 7+, students who enjoy STEM and mechanical design
Links:
Laser Maze
Description: Logic game where players use mirrors and beam splitters to direct a laser to targets.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Promotes critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and physics concepts.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, learners interested in STEM challenges
Link: https://amzn.to/49NHB4f
ONO 99
Description: Card game where players play cards to change the running total toward 99 without exceeding it.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Strengthens mental arithmetic, strategy, and risk assessment.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, math enthusiasts who enjoy fast strategic thinking
Link:
https://amzn.to/4i8zsJw
On the Dot
Description: Card game of pattern recognition and matching colored dots to create sets.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Enhances visual perception, memory, and strategic planning.
Ideal for: Ages 7+, students who enjoy pattern-based games
Osmo Genius Kit
Description: Interactive STEM and math-based learning system using tablet technology and physical game pieces.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Combines hands-on learning with digital interactivity to develop problem-solving, coding, and math skills.
Ideal for: Ages 6–12, tech-savvy learners who enjoy gamified challenges
Links:
Proof!
Proof!
- Description: Mathematical strategy game where players place number cards to complete equations and score points.
- Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Strengthens arithmetic fluency, logical reasoning, and strategic planning.
- Ideal for: Ages 10+, learners who enjoy math-based games
- Link: https://amzn.to/449DuM0
Quarto
Description: Abstract strategy game with 16 unique pieces; win by creating a row of shared attributes.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Encourages pattern recognition, abstract reasoning, and strategic thinking.
Ideal for: Ages 6+, students who enjoy tactical, logic-based games
Link:
https://amzn.to/3XFyFq4
Quoridor
Description: Strategy board game where players place walls to block opponents while reaching the opposite side first.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops planning, spatial reasoning, and anticipating opponents’ moves.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, learners who enjoy abstract strategy
Links:
Qwirkle
Description: Tile-laying game matching colors and shapes to create lines.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Builds pattern recognition, strategy, and combinatorial thinking.
Ideal for: Ages 6+, players who enjoy visual strategy games
Links:
Robot Turtles
Description: Board game that teaches coding fundamentals using turtle movement commands.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Introduces programming logic, sequencing, and problem-solving.
Ideal for: Ages 4 to 10, students exploring coding concepts
Link:
https://amzn.to/49wyxAA
Rubik's Cubes
Description: The classic 3x3 Rubik’s Cube – a hands-on twist puzzle that challenges spatial reasoning and persistence.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops pattern recognition, problem-solving, and perseverance.
Ideal for: Students of all ages, STEM enrichment, logic centers
Links:
Rush Hour
Description: Sliding block logic puzzle where players move cars to free a trapped vehicle.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Strengthens sequential reasoning, planning, and spatial visualization.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, puzzle lovers who enjoy logic challenges
Links:
SET
Description: Fast-paced pattern recognition card game where players identify sets of three cards sharing or differing in four attributes.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops pattern recognition, visual perception, and quick analytical thinking.
Ideal for: Ages 6+, learners who enjoy visual and logical challenges
Link: https://amzn.to/3LV2Mao
Skyjo
Description: Card game where players aim to have the lowest score by collecting and replacing numbered cards.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Enhances probability assessment, memory, and strategic decision-making.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, students who enjoy math-based strategy games
Links:
Snap Circuits
Description: Hands-on electronics kits allowing learners to build circuits safely with snap-together components.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Promotes STEM exploration, circuitry understanding, and experimentation.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, students interested in engineering and electronics
Links:
ThinkFun Math Dice
Description: Dice game where players roll dice and use arithmetic to reach target numbers.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Encourages flexible thinking with numbers, mental math, and creative problem-solving.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, learners who enjoy math challenges
Links:
Ticket to Ride
Description: Route-building board game where players claim railway routes to connect cities and complete tickets.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Encourages planning, strategy, geography awareness, and resource management.
Ideal for: Ages 6+ (First Journey), 8+ (Standard), students who enjoy strategic board games
Links:
Tsuro
Description: Tile-laying path game where players guide their token along winding paths while avoiding others.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Develops planning, spatial reasoning, and anticipating opponents’ moves.
Ideal for: Ages 8+, players who enjoy elegant strategy games
Links:
Yinsh
Description: Abstract strategy game where players place and flip rings to achieve five-in-a-row sequences.
Why It’s Great for Gifted Students: Enhances abstract thinking, planning, and tactical foresight.
Ideal for: Ages 12+, learners who enjoy complex, high-level strategy games
Link:
https://amzn.to/4phtx7f
