The article is devoted to the problem of teaching intellectually gifted pupils in the Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The author analyzes the pedagogical views of K.D. Ushynskyi and describes the experience of teaching gifted children in scientific societies MAS. The author focuses modernization and further improvement of the functioning of Minor Academy of Sciences as part of non-formal education in Ukraine.

Key words: pedagogical views of K.D.Ushynskyi, non-formal education, Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, intellectually gifted pupils.