STATE COLLEGE, Pa.,
July 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- At its annual Summer Academy on Penn
State's University Park
campus, Pennsylvania's Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation is working with the university's Science
U to make forensic science activities accessible to students who
are blind or visually impaired.
Experts from Science U, who provide STEM-related curriculum and
camps, teamed up with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services
to do a full-day series of activities to promote STEM, or science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics - as possible fields for
these students.
The students participated in various forensic science activities
and lessons, culminating with solving a criminal case. The
participants used various accessible technology and team work to
follow clues to unlock the answers to the case. Throughout the day
the students analyzed footprints, fingerprints, and blood
splatters.
Science U and BBVS want students to know about the possibilities
in this area that holds the keys to some of the fastest-growing
occupations in the state.
"Often students who are blind or visually impaired are not
included in these types of activities or programs," BBVS director
Joe Strechay said. "But Science U
approached the Summer Academy last summer about connecting to
discuss the possibilities and it's worked out beautifully for
everyone involved."
The Summer Academy is a three-week postsecondary and employment
preparation program hosted at Penn State
University by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation's
Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and the Bureau of Special
Education's PaTTAN. In its eighth year, the academy is hosting
24 high school students who are blind or visually impaired are
staying on campus in the dorms while getting training in blindness
compensatory skills designed around success in education,
employment, and life.
The Summer Academy was named a national best practice involving
post-secondary preparation by the U.S. Department of Education. The
program includes training in the use of various assistive
technologies and the accessibility of mainstream products. The
innovative team worked with Science U to make the program
accessible with the use of smartphone apps, 3-D prints, and tactile
graphics.
Training around the campus includes how to travel safely and
independently in your environment, college daily living skills, and
vocational exploration, mentoring, experiencing college classes,
and receiving college credit for full participation in the program.
The days are packed with activities from early morning until late
at night. Summer Academy culminates with a graduation ceremony and
a Career Day. The Career Day will include multiple engineers who
are blind or visually impaired, a NASA Engineer / Registered Patent
Attorney, and various others. BBVS is already planning with Science
U for full week at the end of the 2017 Summer Academy specific to a
STEM concentration.
MEDIA CONTACT: Sara
Goulet, 717-979-7462
Joe Strechay, Director; Bureau of
Blindness & Visual Services, 717-999-3421
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-department-of-labor--industry-and-penn-states-science-u-are-making-forensic-science-accessible-to-blind-students-300302908.html
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry