National Center for Blind Youth and Science, (NCBYS)

"From the unanswered questions about our world to the puzzles of the universe and beyond, we imagine a future where the blind are encouraged and empowered to apply their diverse capabilities to the exploration of new horizons along with their sighted peers. That is why we, the blind, have committed our Jernigan Institute to improving educational opportunities for blind youth in a way that no one else has ever imagined."
—Dr. Marc Maurer, President
National Federation of the Blind

About the National Center for Blind Youth In Science

For too long blind youth have been denied full participation in public school science classrooms. Are dissections too dangerous? Should blind youth sit on the sidelines rather than participate and make their own observations? Is it too difficult to understand the stars if you cannot visually observe them in the sky? The answer to these questions is most certainly "no," but all too often parents, teachers, and blind students are simply not aware of how a blind person might actively participate in these activities. Insufficient hands-on materials, few teachers who understand tactile learning, and lack of access to blind adult role models and resources have placed artificial barriers on blind youth in the sciences. The NFB Jernigan Institute recognizes the urgent need to address these artificial barriers and equip regular education teachers, parents, and blind youth themselves with the tools and knowledge to provide greater opportunities in science to blind youth across the nation.

In order to dramatically change the opportunities and resources available to blind youth in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and careers, the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute has initiated a bold national vision for the next generation of blind explorers-the National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS).

The goals of the NCBYS are to:

• Establish a center of excellence for resources and information about how blind youth can best learn and understand scientific and mathematical concepts
• Promote opportunities for blind youth in science through demonstration projects, partnerships, and public education
• Provide technical support to projects working to improve materials and instruction for blind youth in science and math
• Provide a national mentoring program built on the foundations established by the blind professionals of the NFB Science and Engineering Division
• Centralize research previously completed in this area and coordinate ongoing research efforts.

The work of the NCBYS began in the summer of 2004 with the NFB Science Academy, the first ever series of summer programs developed and directed by the blind to teach science to blind youth. The Academy was a fantastic success, encouraging and inspiring all who participated. To learn more about the 2004 Academy, or for information on the 2005 Academy, click here.

Audio and Video Listening and Downloads

The following audio and video presentations can be heard or viewed on-line as streaming audio or video, or can be downloaded in .MP3 and .wmv formats for off-line listening, or viewing. To download select, "Save Target As" from the Context Menue to download these presentations. To listen on-line you must have one of the following audio or video players installed on your PC:

Real Player from Real Networks

Windows Media Player from the Windows Media Player Web site.

Winamp Audio Player

From Team Nulsoft, (Audio only).

National Federation of the Blind Science Academy

The NFB Jernigan Institute developed its annual Science Academy to spark and enhance blind students' interest in scientific study, an academic area that many falsely believe is too difficult for the blind. By providing hands-on experiences and tactile materials, the Academy is a prime example of how to use nonvisual teaching methods and blind role models in the classroom to engage blind youth in the study of science and math.

The first Science Academy, broken down into two sessions, was held in July and August of 2004. Due to their successful demonstration that blind youth can compete in challenging science related activities, the NFB has continued its commitment to operate this outstanding Academy.

The Circle of Life session is targeted at blind middle school students and is focused around the earth and life sciences. The goal of this session is to spark an interest in science and to introduce the students to blind role models working in the field. The students take part in various activities, such as exploring the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed, learning about chemistry and electronics, and dissecting a dogfish shark.

The Rocket On! session is for blind high school students and focuses on physics, electronics, rocketry, and teamwork. In this session, the participants work closely together in teams to build a rocket payload, make trajectory predictions, prepare the rocket for launch, and execute the other critical elements of a real NASA rocket mission. The goal of this session is to increase interest and support possible careers in the sciences. This session pushes students beyond simply “wanting” to go into science and launches them into the relm of “believing” they can by having them independently execute tasks they would have never imagined possible. The first NFB Rocket Team successfully launched their rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on August 19, 2004. The second NFB Rocket Team followed in their footsteps with a launch on July 21, 2005, and the third rocket launch occurred on Wednesday July 19, 2006.

Select one of the following links below to see a short video about the Academy:

View Science Academy Video, (Streaming Video) Low bandwidth

View Science Academy Video,(Streaming Video) (High bandwidth

Download Science Academy Video, (WMV) 15.6 MB

The NCBYS initiative is led by the innovative NFB Jernigan Institute and is supported by the NCBYS Advisory Work Group which includes individuals from the American Printing House for the Blind, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, (NASA), the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University, as well as experienced educators and scientists who are themselves blind.

Learn more about the need for the NCBYS by reading the NCBYS Concept Paper, and learn more about the development of the center by reading the NCBYS Strategic Plan.

As the NFB Jernigan Institute's development of a National Center for Blind Youth in Science moves forward, the NCBYS Web Portal will become the central clearinghouse for expertise related to the excellence of blind youth in science. As we build this clearinghouse, we invite individuals to submit information concerning outstanding projects and resources which should be included as part of this center of excellence.

For too long blind youth have been denied full participation in public school science classrooms. Insufficient hands-on materials, few teachers who understand tactile learning, and lack of access to blind role models and resources have placed artificial barriers on blind youth in the sciences.

In order to dramatically change the opportunities and resources available to blind youth in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and careers, the Jernigan Institute has initiated a bold national vision for the next generation of blind explorers—the National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS) Web Portal.

A significant part of the NCBYS is a comprehensive Web Portal, which is funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation.  On September 1, 2005, a project began at the Jernigan Institute to broaden the NCBYS pages on this site into a one-of-a-kind resource for teachers, parents, and blind students. Launched in the summer of 2006, the NCBYS Web Portal is becoming the nation’s #1 source for information about how the blind can compete in STEM careers.

Partners

The NFB Jernigan Institute has partnered with a number of organizations and Government Agencies including the National Arronotics and Space Administration, (NASA) to fulfill this mission. During the Grand Opening Celebration of the NFB Jernigan Institute Shawn O'Keefe, NASA Administrator spoke concerning their new partnership with the federation, andshared his vision for its success in involving a greater number of blind youth in the sciences, and how this venture will enhance employment opportunities for the blind in scientific fields in the years ahead.

Listen to Shawn O'Keefe's Presentation, (Streaming Audio

Download Shawn O'Keefe's Presentation, (MP3 download) 8.95 MB

National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam

What: The largest gathering of blind youth ever.  This four-day academy will engage and inspire the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for blind people to enter. The National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam will bring together the largest gather ing of blind youth from through the country to speak with one voice in the summer of 2007 to tell the World that the blind can succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, (STEM) Careers along with their sighted neighbors.

As part of this next step in the NCBYS development, we want your input. If you have resources, ideas, or other contributions to make to the development of the Web Portal, please send your thoughts to Mark A. Riccobono with “NCBYS Web Portal” in the subject line.

NCBYS Resources

The Jernigan Institute is a partner in the Vertical Mentoring Workshop for the Blind (VMWB) and will host an employers' workshop on July 28, 2006 as part of the VMWB. This workshop will teach prospective employers in science, technology, engineering, and math industries about the capabilities of blind people and will help change misconceptions employers have about blind employees. Learn more about the employers workshop or complete the registration form.

The NCBYS is also opening doors for blind youth through events, such as the launch of a new book, Touch the Sun, by astronomy educator Noreen Grice. Hosted by the NFB Jernigan Institute on December 2, 2005, students were able to look at the book, as well as participate in hands-on astronomy activities. The book itself features print/Braille text pages as well as full-color tactile illustrations.

Youth Programs are an important part of the NCBYS. One of these programs is the annual NFB Science Academy, consisting of two one-week summer sessions designed to spark and enhance the interest of blind youth in science. The NCBYS and NASA are also pleased to continue the Excellence through Challenging Exploration and Leadership (EXCEL) program, a twelve-week internship for blind students established during the summer of 2005. In addition to these two programs, the NCBYS has also received funding from the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor to initiate a program called the Transition to Independence Club, an innovative program aimed at increasing employment readiness, independence skills, and self confidence of blind or visually impaired high school students in Maryland.

In addition to the above programs, the NCBYS has partnered with the Montana Conservation Science Institute and the Montana Association for the Blind (MAB) to offer a summer camp for blind students focusing on natural history.  Camp Eureka! for student 8-13 years old, and was held June 18-23, 2006. For more information, read the camp's brochure.

The Jernigan Institute also hosted the Goals for Achieving Math Accessibility (GAMA) Summit April 14-15, 2005. During the summit, representatives from companies, universities, and organizations developing hardware and software solutions, demonstrated technologies and techniques that would allow exploration of math by blind and visually impaired individuals.

Support the NCBYS through the Imagination Fund; for more information on partnership opportunities, to discuss the information on these pages, or to make suggestions, contact:

Mark A. Riccobono
Director of Education
Jernigan Institute
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone (410) 659-9314, ext. 2368
Fax (410) 659-5129

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