ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — Approximately 60 gifted sixth-grade students from seven Belmont County school districts participated in a countywide Academic Field Day on Oct. 23 at The East Central Ohio Educational Service Center’s ECO Center.
The annual event is organized through a partnership between the Belmont County Gifted Advisory Council and the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center. The program ran from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and featured hands-on activities designed to challenge students’ logical, creative and critical-thinking skills while encouraging teamwork.
Students represented Barnesville, Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, Shadyside, St. Clairsville and Union Local schools.
Fourteen teams rotated through seven activity stations, with two teams competing at each station. Activities included Brain Strain, construction challenges, coding, cup stacking and silent sculpting. Gifted intervention specialists from participating districts led the stations.
This year’s theme, America 250, recognized the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Team names reflected the theme, including Patriot Prodigies, Revolutionary Renegades, Federalist Framers, Sovereign Scholars, Colonial Commanders, Declaration Dominators, Midnight Riders, Pioneer Pathfinders, Star-Spangled Sages, Monumental Minds, Amber Waves of Brains, Founding Force, Ratification Rebels and Preamble Powerhouses.
Teams had the opportunity to earn a first-place star at each station, with the winning team recognized after each session.
Organizers said the annual event provides gifted students from across Belmont County an opportunity to collaborate, test their skills and engage in academic challenges outside the traditional classroom.
Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by AVC News
