WKU's Center for Gifted Studies conducts research and provides opportunities for gifted and talented students, educators, and parents. Founded in 1981, its first events were workshops for gifted education professionals. It partnered with Duke's Talent Identification Program, and began offering academic summer camps: beginning in 1983, the Summer Camp for Academically Talented Middle School Students (SCATS) for students finishing grades 6-8, and beginning in 1984 the Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY) for students finishing grades 7-10.