Utah
Foundation for the Blind &
Visually Impaired
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Space camp for the Blind The Utah Foundation for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be sending a group of students to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama this fall. This week long camp is packed with learning experiences and fun activities about space and space exploration. The traditional Space Camp Program has been modified for this one week to accommodate visually impaired students from across the United States and even from other countries. Computers with speech and braille, access to simulators, and a complete program help blind students learn about space in a way that cannot be accomplished in the classroom. The Space Camp for the Blind motto, "Just because I can't see doesn't mean I can't reach for the stars," is a reality through this experience. Students interested in applying to attend Space Camp this fall should read the information below and contact Merrilee Petersen. A huge thank you goes to Kari Frederickson and Merrilee Petersen for coordinating the UFB Space Camp Program.
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SKILLS Please score the student on how independently they are able to complete each task. 1- needs help for each step of the task 2- needs help for most of the task 3- needs very little help 4- only needs someone to observe 5- can complete the task independently |
Please write any comments or additional information we need to be aware of about the skill or rating given. |
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CLOTHING |
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Dress Self: Buttons/zippers 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Fasten Shoes 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Roll up or fold clothes/pack suitcase or assist in packing suitcase 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Have a system of organizing clean and dirty clothing 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Independent use of a lock 1 2 3 4 5 |
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PERSONAL MANAGEMENT |
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Wash and style own hair 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Independent showering and hygiene (deodorant) 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Independent shaving 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Brush teeth 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Eye care (prosthetics/glasses/contacts) 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Knowledge of medications 1 2 3 4 5 |
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INDEPENDENT THINKING |
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Choose appropriate clothing and equipment for the day (weather and activities) 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Pack day bag for outing 1 2 3 4 5 |
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EATING |
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Makes healthy food choices 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Appropriate Use of Utensils 1 2 3 4 5 (knife for cutting) |
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General Social Etiquette 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Can open packages (condiments, milk cartons, etc.) 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Orientation and Mobility |
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Sighted guide 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Independent cane skills 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Soliciting help when appropriate 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Telephone Dialing 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Sleepovers |
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Experienced overnight travel 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Practice packing for overnight stay 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Money Management |
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Storage and ID of money 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Carry a wallet with dollars and ID 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Experience with transactions 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Knowledge of coins/bills 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Social Skills |
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Makes new friends and maintains conversations 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Maintains appropriate behavior while away from parents 1 2 3 4 5 |
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Student Signature____________________ Parent Signature___________________
Itinerant Teacher Signature ______________________ Date: _________________
DELTA GAMMA SCHOLARSHIP FORM 2009For Space Camp & Aviation Challenge Programs |
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Name (Last)_____________________(First)__________________(Middle)_______
Address:_____________________________________________________________
City:____________________________________ State: _____ Zip:______________
Sex: ________ Date of Birth: _______/_______/_______ Age: _______
Home Phone: (_______)_______________ Work: (________)__________________
Parent/Guardian: ______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
What grade will you attend during the Fall 2009? __________
Check the program for which you are applying:
_____ Space Camp (Grades 4-6)
_____ Space Academy, Level 1 (Grades 7-12)
_____ Advanced Space Academy (Grades 10-12, College Bound)
_____ Aviation Challenge Mach I (Grades 4-6)
_____ Aviation Challenge Mach II (Grades 7-12)
_____ Aviation Challenge Mach III (Grades 10-12)
List any school and/or community activities in which you have participated during the past
two years (i.e. student government, music, community or school volunteer activities).
(Can be typed in print or Braille)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Why do you want to attend U. S. Space Camp/Space Academy? (Can be typed in print or Braille)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Essay Questions
Please provide the information below, limiting your answers to one typed page per
question (two, if Braille)
1. What to you see as the future role of persons with visual impairments in the space Program?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Have you attended Space Camp previously using the Delta Gamma scholarship program?
YES ____ NO _____
2. Write a letter addressed to Delta Gamma Foundation requesting funding. This letter should state your personal information, your reasons for wanting to attend SCIVIS, your expectations, and need for financial assistance.
3. Upon returning home from SCIVIS, you will be required to send a similar letter addressing the fulfillment of your expectations, something important that you learned about yourself, and a BIG thank you to the people who assisted you in coming to SCIVIS.
4. After graduation Delta Gamma recipients will be asked to take part in a group picture to be sent to Delta Gamma for next year’s granting period.
You will need to complete the scholarship application in its entirety and return with UFB applications
It will then be forwarded to Dan Oates. Please include a letter of recommendation from your math or science teacher.
Applications must be received no later than June 1.
Recipients will receive notifications on or around June 15.
Every attempt will be made to provide partial funding ($100+) to all qualified applicants. Funding amounting to 100% is rare. The Delta Gamma Foundation is responsible for funding scholarships. Our ability to provide scholarships is based on their generosity. Grant approval is announced in mid to late May.
NOTE for SCIVIS 2009: Due to the current economic environment many Foundations have less funds to grant for programs like ours. We are anticipating less funds this year for our campers. Please seek alternative funding as a result
If you have any additional questions, please contact Merrilee Petersen
Report from Space Camp for the
Blind
by Chris Clark
Have
you ever wondered what it feels like to fly a rocket, walk on the moon, or sleep in space?
What does an astronaut feel as the forces of gravity try to keep him or her in
Earth’s atmosphere? These are some of the things that six blind children from Utah
had the opportunity to experience and learn at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama in
September.
UFB
was able to send six children along with two chaperones to this special week when
everything was adapted to accommodate the blind including talking computers, brailled
controls and hands-on experiences for learning. For children who don’t have vision to
see space, the moon, stars, rockets, etc., this was a very rare and unique opportunity to
learn and experience things they could learn in no other way.
At
Space Camp, students learn about past and current space missions. They listen to stories
about funny things that happened to astronauts on their way to the moon. After learning
about these missions, the students begin their training. They learn to maneuver with a
powered backpack through space, practice walking on the moon with 1/6th the
gravity of Earth, and experience five degrees of freedom. They are also given the chance
to try out living and sleeping in a simulated
International Space
Station. The hands-on experiences are a lot of fun and many of the students who attended
this year wanted to try the simulators again and again. m
After
experiencing Space Camp, students also have a greater understanding of the importance of
math and science. They learn how important these two subjects are to helping people get to
and from space safely. They are also taught the importance of staying in school and
working hard so they too can have the opportunity to go into space or assist others in
completing their missions. As astronauts, mission control crew, and others in training,
the students also use technology to successfully complete a “space mission.”
Space Camp Pictures 1
Space Camp Pictures 2
Space Camp Pictures 3
Visit the Space Camp for the Blind web site.
Our sincere thanks to the donors who have provided funding over the years so many blind children could participate in this unique program! This has become an annual event for UFB to send several students and one or two chaperones to Space Camp. We are seeking donors to help provide this opportunity. You could help give a child the learning experience of a lifetime. Click here for information about sponsoring a child for Space Camp 2004.
Utah Foundation for the
Blind and Visually Impaired
2056 West Carriage Avenue
Riverton, Utah 84065
