[Nfb-science] Blind Youth and Science and Convention

[David Andrews]

>Subject: Please Distribute to NFB Lists before convention
>Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:19:16 -0400
>Thread-Topic: Please Distribute to NFB Lists before convention
>Thread-Index: Acaa8CEZw+/dPJXJRpyRNtePYIhWUA==
>From: "Riccobono, Mark" <MRiccobono at NFB.ORG>
>To: <dandrews at visi.com>
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>National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
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>National Center for Blind Youth in Science
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>2006 National Convention Highlights
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>In just a couple of days, Federationists from all over the country will converge on Dallas, Texas, for a week of meetings, fellowship, and planning for our work over the coming years.  There will also be many opportunities to celebrate our achievements as a movement.  The NFB Jernigan Institute is proud to provide a number of activities at the convention that can contribute to pride in our accomplishments.  Specifically, we are pleased to be able to announce a number of exciting developments in our initiative we call the National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS).  Don’t miss these exciting events at the convention.
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>Saturday, July 1, 2006
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>Unveiling of a Prototype Touch the Earth Book
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>On Saturday afternoon, youth attending the convention will have an opportunity to be the first to see a prototype Touch the Earth book that combines imagery from NASA’s MODIS Sensor, Braille pages, and innovative touch user interface technology from Somatic Digital LLC.  Conceived by the NFB Jernigan Institute, Touch the Earth is a proof of concept meant to spark new ways of delivering educational content to students where Braille and technology come together.  See the convention agenda for information on these sessions for youth directed by Author Noreen Grice and NASA Research Scientist Elissa Levine.
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>NEW! Special Touch the Earth Feedback Session
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>Please drop in to a special session on Saturday evening from 7-8:00 p.m. in the Metropolitan Ballroom, Tower Mezzanine, to see the prototype Touch the Earth book for yourself and provide feedback on the concept and the technology.  This session is open to all.  At this session and during the early part of the convention, the Jernigan Institute and NASA will be asking people to complete a short evaluation of the Touch the Earth prototype.  Everyone completing the survey by Thursday morning of the convention will be eligible to win a 1 Gigabyte Ipod Shuffle courtesy of Somatic Digital LLC. 
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>Sunday, July 2, 2006
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>4:30 - 7:00 pm­NATIONAL CENTER FOR BLIND YOUTH IN SCIENCE (NCBYS) WEB PORTAL LAUNCH
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>Peacock Terrace, Tower Lobby 
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>Be the first to browse this unique portal that serves as a resource clearinghouse for blind youth and science, technology, engineering, and math. Meet with blind scientists and engineers and learn about other exciting NFB initiatives.  Developed under a grant from the National Science Foundation’s Research and Disabilities Education Program.  Visitors to www.blindscience.org who complete a survey about the Web portal will be eligible to win a $35 gift certificate from the NFB Independence Market.
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>Other Highlights: 
>    * Don’t miss a number of exciting youth activities on Saturday, July 1, as part of sessions entitled, “NFB Jernigan Institute Science Academy Comes to Dallas.” 
>    * Visit the Exhibit Hall, where you will find booths hosted by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the National Center for Blind Youth in Science.  Visitors will have an opportunity to preview the Touch the Earth prototype, learn about new science initiatives, talk to blind people who work for NASA, and examine tactile materials.  
>    * Don’t miss the Tuesday afternoon General Session.  Immediately following the Presidential Report, you will learn more about the work of the Jernigan Institute and our impact on science, technology, engineering, and math. 
>    * Watch for new projects being considered and help blind youth reach new heights . . . ! 
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>The 2006 National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention is shaping up to be one of the biggest and busiest yet.  Make sure you fit some of the exciting activities of our Jernigan Institute into your convention schedule and be sure to help youth, parents, and teachers learn about our work.
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>Travel safely to Dallas!
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>Mark A. Riccobono
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>Director of Education, Jernigan Institute
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>National Federation of the Blind
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