ABSTRACT: This paper scrutinizes giftedness and gifted learners under the
implications of multiple intelligence theory with regard to coaching young scientists. It is
one of the pluralistic theories toward intelligence while supporting to view individuals as
active participants during teaching and learning processes which correspond with the
applications of gifted education. The history and general characteristics of the theory is
explained to figure out why using multiple intelligence theory is beneficial for gifted
learners, candidate of young scientists of the future under the reflection of some sample
activities. Although benefits of the theory for the aforementioned era have been talked
comprehensively, there are some criticisms toward theoretical perspectives and its
applications, especially in Turkey. Generally, the paper tries to contribute the literature
on the issue of gifted education by pointing out the use of multiple intelligence theory in
several domains.
Key words: Multiple intelligence theory, gifted learners, young scientists, criticisms
Basak CALIK, Middle
East Technical University,
Education Faculty,
Research Assistant,
Ankara,
cbasak@metu.edu.tr
Bengi BIRGILI, Middle
East Technical University,
Education Faculty,
Ankara,
birgili.bengi@metu.edu.tr
Received:21 Aug 2013
Revised:05 Nov 2013
Accepted:19 Nov 2013
