Inside The Mind Of Jaxon Cota An 11-Year-Old Kid Genius | NBC Nightly News

NBC News
22 Jul 201505:07
EducationalLearning
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TLDREleven-year-old Jackson Cota is a prodigy with a passion for baseball and an innate talent for mathematics. He was accepted into Mensa based on his gifted and talented program test scores and can read and manipulate large numbers with ease. Jackson's parents emphasize the importance of socialization and normal childhood experiences, rejecting the idea of fast-tracking his education. He also enjoys creating Rube Goldberg machines, showcasing his creativity and problem-solving skills. Jackson's story highlights his well-rounded personality, emphasizing that he is more than just his academic abilities.

Takeaways
  • ⚾ Jackson Cota is an 11-year-old who loves baseball, finding joy in being on the baseball diamond.
  • 🧠 Jackson is passionate about the strategic and statistical aspects of baseball.
  • 📚 He was accepted into Mensa based on test scores from a gifted and talented program at his school.
  • 🔢 From a young age, Jackson exhibited an exceptional ability to understand and process large numbers.
  • 🎓 Jackson has been solving advanced math problems like algebra and geometry since he was very young.
  • 🏗️ He enjoys creating Rube Goldberg machines, emphasizing the importance of planning and trial-and-error.
  • 👂 Despite his academic talents, Jackson has heightened senses that help him cope with a hearing deficit.
  • 👫 His parents chose not to accelerate his education significantly, allowing him to interact with peers and develop socially.
  • 🤝 Jackson believes in being well-rounded, valuing personal interactions and enjoying childhood over academic acceleration.
  • 😊 Jackson emphasizes that his academic achievements do not define him, and he wants to enjoy being a kid.
Q & A

  • What is Jackson Cota's age and passion?

    -Jackson Cota is 11 years old and he has a passion for baseball.

  • How does Jackson describe his experience on the baseball diamond?

    -Jackson describes being on the baseball diamond as something that makes him happiest.

  • What is one of the aspects of baseball that Jackson enjoys?

    -Jackson enjoys the thinking involved in baseball, such as statistics and strategic positioning during plays.

  • How did Jackson get involved with Mensa?

    -Jackson took a test to get into his school's gifted and talented program, and based on those test scores, he was accepted into Mensa.

  • What unusual ability did Jackson demonstrate as a young child?

    -Jackson demonstrated the ability to read and recite very long numbers with 15 to 18 digits when he was very young.

  • How did Jackson's parents first realize his unique ability with numbers?

    -They realized it when Jackson was able to recite numbers up to 15 digits long at the age of two, after his mother tested his ability with a napkin and a pen.

  • What does Jackson find simple about numbers?

    -Jackson finds a rhythm to numbers and describes them as being, in a weird way, very simple for him.

  • What subjects does Jackson excel in academically?

    -Jackson excels in advanced subjects like algebra and geometry.

  • What is Jackson's approach to creating a Rube Goldberg machine?

    -Jackson's approach involves planning, testing, and a lot of trial and error, with the understanding that it rarely works on the first try.

  • How does Jackson's family view his academic abilities in relation to his social skills?

    -Jackson's family believes that while he is academically gifted, it's important for him to interact and socialize with his peers to have a well-rounded life.

  • What is Jackson's perspective on being defined by his academic achievements?

    -Jackson feels that academic achievements do not define him, as he is more than just his ability to solve math problems or equations.

  • What is Jackson's view on graduating college at an early age?

    -Jackson does not wish to graduate college at age 11 because he values doing things he loves, like playing baseball and hanging out with friends, and being a kid.

  • What is the significance of the comment made by Jackson's mother about him knowing multiplication facts at age four?

    -The comment highlights Jackson's advanced cognitive abilities at a very young age, but also points out that he still needed to learn basic life skills like tying his shoes.

  • What is the role of trial and error in Jackson's projects, as exemplified by his Rube Goldberg machine?

    -Trial and error is a significant part of Jackson's projects, indicating that he understands the process of learning and perfecting a concept through repeated attempts.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Jackson Cota: The Gifted Young Baseball Lover and Mensa Member

Jackson Cota, an 11-year-old with a passion for baseball and a natural inclination towards numbers and statistics, shares his story. He was accepted into the Mensa gifted and talented program after scoring high on a test. Jackson's affinity for numbers was evident from a young age, as he could read and understand long numbers even before he was two. His parents noticed his unique abilities and encouraged his natural talents, which included advanced math skills like algebra and geometry. Jackson's interests extend beyond academics to include building Rube Goldberg machines, which he finds fascinating due to the trial and error involved in making them work. Despite his exceptional abilities, Jackson's parents emphasize the importance of socialization and childhood experiences, choosing not to rush his academic progression.

05:00
📺 NBC News: Engaging with Viewers Through Highlights and Exclusives

The second paragraph of the script is a call to action for viewers of the NBC News YouTube channel, inviting them to subscribe and engage with the content. It highlights the variety of videos available, including interviews, highlights, and digital exclusives, encouraging viewers to explore the channel's offerings by clicking the subscribe button and checking out the latest videos.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two opposing teams who take turns batting and fielding. In the video, Jackson Cota expresses his love for baseball, indicating that it brings him happiness and is one of his passions. Baseball is also associated with strategic thinking and statistics, which are part of Jackson's interests.
💡Gifted and Talented Program
A Gifted and Talented Program is an educational initiative that aims to provide advanced learning opportunities for students who demonstrate exceptional abilities. Jackson took a test to get into his school's program and was accepted, showcasing his intellectual prowess beyond his years.
💡Mensa
Mensa is an international organization for individuals with high IQs. Jackson was accepted into Mensa based on his test scores, which is a testament to his exceptional cognitive abilities and serves as a central theme in the video, highlighting his intellectual giftedness.
💡Statistics
Statistics refers to the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation, and organization of data. In the context of the video, Jackson's interest in baseball extends to the statistical aspects of the game, showing his inclination towards analytical thinking.
💡Hyperfocus
Hyperfocus is a state of intense concentration on a specific task or subject. The video describes Jackson as being hyperfocused on whatever is in front of him, which is indicative of his ability to deeply engage with complex subjects like mathematics and Rube Goldberg machines.
💡Rube Goldberg Machine
A Rube Goldberg Machine is a deliberately complex contraption designed to perform a simple task through a series of chain reactions. Jackson's interest in creating such machines demonstrates his creativity, problem-solving skills, and enjoyment of the trial-and-error process.
💡Algebra
Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with symbols and the rules for manipulating these symbols. It is mentioned in the video as one of the advanced subjects that Jackson is capable of handling without a calculator, underscoring his mathematical abilities.
💡Geometry
Geometry is a branch of mathematics concerned with questions of shape, size, relative position of figures, and the properties of space. Jackson's engagement with geometry implies his advanced understanding of spatial relationships and forms.
💡Socialization
Socialization refers to the process of learning the norms, values, and behaviors of a group or society. The video discusses Jackson's parents' emphasis on his social development, highlighting the importance of peer interaction and the balance between academic and social skills.
💡Multiplication Facts
Multiplication facts are basic arithmetic relationships between numbers that are memorized for quick recall. Jackson's knowledge of multiplication facts at a young age is an example of his precocious mathematical abilities.
💡Peers
Peers are individuals who are of the same age or belong to the same social group. The video mentions the importance of Jackson interacting with his peers to develop social skills, emphasizing the need for a well-rounded development beyond academic achievements.
💡Identity
Identity refers to the characteristics that define a person. Jackson's comment about an academic competition indicates that he does not want to be defined solely by his intellectual abilities, but rather as a person with diverse interests and a multifaceted identity.
💡College
College typically refers to an institution of higher learning that grants degrees. The video mentions Jackson's perspective on graduating from college at an exceptionally young age, suggesting his preference for a balanced life experience over accelerated academic achievement.
Highlights

Jackson Cota, an 11-year-old boy, loves baseball and finds happiness on the diamond.

Baseball involves a lot of thinking, statistics, and strategy for each play.

Jackson took a test and got accepted into the Mensa gifted and talented program based on his test scores.

As a young child, Jackson could read really long numbers with 15-18 digits.

Jackson's parents noticed something different about his ability with numbers before he turned two.

Jackson finds a rhythm and simplicity in numbers that is unusual for his age.

He can do advanced math like algebra and geometry without a calculator quite naturally.

Numbers can be found everywhere in daily life, from supermarkets to construction.

Jackson was hyper-focused and preferred sorting shapes by attributes over playing with trucks as a toddler.

Jackson is designing a Rube Goldberg machine, which involves a lot of trial and error.

It's fascinating for Jackson to see how all the parts of the machine work together to complete a task.

Jackson has heightened senses and gifts in other areas that compensate for his deficit.

Jackson's parents prioritized socialization and interaction with peers over academic acceleration.

Jackson values being able to play baseball, hang out with friends, and be a kid over graduating college early.

Jackson made a comment that academic success does not define who he is as a person.

The video is from NBC News and invites viewers to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more content.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
ProdigyAcademicsBaseballSocial SkillsGifted ProgramMensaChild GeniusMath PassionRube GoldbergEducational GrowthPeer Interaction