BEVERLY — Gathered onstage in the Endicott College auditorium, nearly 40 eighth- and ninth-graders pondered the statement: "Good leaders are always vocal and make their thoughts clear."
Most kids made their way to the side of the stage that indicated they did not agree. But Tyler Brown and one other student stood on the "absolutely yes" side. Until, that is, Brown thought of Helen Keller as he explained his position, and they immediately switched sides.
The students from Lynn Public Schools are all high-achieving students and guinea pigs for a new North Shore Education Consortium program, staying on campus for three weeks of academics and leadership training.
It's one of the education collaborative's first initiatives to move beyond educating special-needs students, Executive Director Colleen Dolan said.
"Think of it as special kids," Dolan said. "It's not just having disabilities, but being special in any area."
The 36 students were recommended by teachers and principals based on their interest, intellectual ability, drive and character.
This year, it was funded partially by Lynn Public Schools, but next year the consortium hopes to open the program to students in all 18 member school districts, regardless of their ability to pay.
"We're looking at alternative sources of revenue," Dolan said. "We certainly wouldn't go to the local budgets."
The program focuses on science, technology, engineering and math, as well as visual and performing arts, with "outside the box" hands-on projects to get them thinking, Director Janice Lisiak said.
When they went to their first class, for instance, students were told they couldn't enter because it was a crime scene. The class focuses on forensic investigation, and students used Endicott's high-tech laboratory equipment to uncover clues.
While staying on campus and going home during the weekend, students will also work with faculty and mentors from Endicott College, Lynn Public Schools, the consortium's Northshore Recovery High School and Gordon College.
"It provides opportunities," Dolan said, "that they might not otherwise have access to."
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