Tag Archive

science

Join the LightHouse For Its First-Ever Blind Soldering Workshop in November
LightHouse News

Join the LightHouse For Its First-Ever Blind Soldering Workshop in November

Photo: Close-up of a flame being used to solder wire.

The LightHouse is holding its first-ever soldering workshop for people who are blind or have low vision.

Soldering is an essential skill for prototyping and building electronics. While many blind people can solder with skill and safety, working with delicate components and high-temperature molten solder can be daunting for beginners.

Who: Adults 18 and up who are blind or have low vision.
When: Friday, November 4 through Sunday, November 6, 2016.
Attendees are welcome to check-in as early as 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4. The program begins at 5:00 p.m. that day and lasts through noon on Sunday, November 6.
Where: the LightHouse Building, 1155 Market St., 10th floor, San Francisco, 94103.
Cost: $300 which includes overnight accommodations in our new Student Residences and material fees.
Deadline to apply is Friday, October 28. Payment secures your spot.

During this weekend-long workshop, attendees will be offered a unique opportunity to learn non-visual soldering techniques from some of the most skilled and experienced blind solderers in the world. In addition to gaining hands-on experience with a soldering iron, students will finish the workshop with an understanding of the metallurgy behind the use of flux and solder, as well as a strong foundation in the practical aspects of electronics soldering.

Students will be guided in building their own accessible continuity tester – one of the most fundamental and flexible tools for electronics work without vision. Workshop tuition includes the basic tools needed for soldering, with the continuity tester, soldering station, and other tools yours to keep at the conclusion of the workshop.

This workshop will be facilitated by Dr. Joshua Miele, Associate Director of the Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Low Vision and Blindness, Creative Director of LightHouse Labs, and founder of the Blind Arduino Project. Our team of highly-qualified soldering instructors all have decades of experience building electronics and teaching non-visual soldering techniques to students with a broad range of experience.

For more information or to apply to the first-ever LightHouse soldering workshop, contact Director of Community Services Lisamaria Martinez via email at info@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-431-1481.

Toyota Robotics Supports LightHouse Innovation Lab
LightHouse News

Toyota Robotics Supports LightHouse Innovation Lab

Photo (left to right): Ryan Klem, Jennifer Sachs, Bryan Bashin, Josh Miele, Latondra Newton, Mark Boire, Douglas Moore and Rajiv Dayal inside the new LightHouse Innovation Lab Sponsored by Toyota.

On August 2nd, a contingent from Toyota and Toyota Robotics came to the new LightHouse Building to present us with a gift of $100,000 for the Innovation Lab Sponsored by Toyota. The Lab is a place for accessible robotics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and anything related to science for blind people of all ages. Toyota has been an active participant in LightHouse Labs since 2011 and their contributions have been invaluable.

As Josh Miele, past-board president said, “We want people who are blind to have a chance to do hands-on science, and only choose not to go into a STEM career because they want to do something else, not because they never had the chance to explore the possibilities.”

Blind Arduino Monthly Meetup (BAMM)
LightHouse News

Blind Arduino Monthly Meetup (BAMM)

Interested in joining a hands-on group of blind and sighted Arduino makers for collaborative teaching, designing and building? We are thrilled to announce the Blind Arduino Monthly Meetup (BAMM) beginning on October 8, and meeting every second Saturday of the month thereafter at the new LightHouse Building in San Francisco.

Who: Makers of any age. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Where: LightHouse for the Blind, 1155 Market St., 10th Floor, San Francisco, 94103

When: Every second Saturday of the month.

The first meeting is Saturday, October 8.

Sign up to reserve a space at the first BAMM meetup on October 8.

Arduino is a widely popular microprocessor platform being used by makers, educators, designers, researchers, entrepreneurs and others to prototype and build robots and other powerful electromechanical devices. The Blind Arduino Project is led by Dr. Joshua Miele, and is a collaboration between the LightHouse and Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute to support blind makers who want to build things with Arduino.

Join us and be part of BAMM – the Bay Area’s regular in-person gathering of the Blind Arduino community. Spend an afternoon with us making, learning and connecting. Bring a project, a problem or just your curiosity and willingness to learn and help.

Youth Program Ocean Beach Outing with the Exploratorium on August 13
LightHouse News

Youth Program Ocean Beach Outing with the Exploratorium on August 13

On Saturday, August 13, the LightHouse Youth Program will join our friends from the Exploratorium for a fun-filled activity and lesson about magnetic black sand. Under the guidance of Exploratorium staff, students will spend two hours collecting sand from Ocean Beach which they will then help sort at a later date.

Who: Students that are blind or have low vision.
What: Collect black sand for an exhibit in Exploratorium.
When: Saturday, August 13, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
Where: (Please note that the location where we will meet has changed.) We will gather near the public restrooms on Ocean Beach near the intersection of the Great Highway and Taraval Street.
Waiver: Each youth participant must fill out and submit a LightHouse Youth Program Application if they have not done so already.

If you would like more information or to RSVP for this event please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at 415-694-7372 or by email at jgump@lighthouse-sf.org by Wednesday August 24.

STEAM Camp
Uncategorized

STEAM Camp

This fairly new and exciting science program at Enchanted Hills has an overarching goal of exposing students from the ages of 11-14 who are blind and visually impaired to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). Students will take part in hands-on, accessible, and innovative activities; which includes computing, robotics, biology, and more. Students will also take home some pretty cool give-a-ways.

$60 Session Fee (free for those attending the youth session)

Spaces Filling up Fast for STEM, Woodworking, Horse Camp Sessions at Enchanted Hills Camp
LightHouse News

Spaces Filling up Fast for STEM, Woodworking, Horse Camp Sessions at Enchanted Hills Camp

Our special STEM, woodworking and horse camp sessions are returning this summer. Whether you’re a budding scientist, interested in creating artful objects from wood or ready to learn how to properly care for horses, we have the camp session for you.

To sign up for any of these sessions, contact Taccarra Burrell at ehc@lighthouse-sf.org or 451-694-7310 for an application or with any questions. You’ll also find descriptions of the sessions and online applications on our website.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for Youth
This year Enchanted Hills Camp is again offering a special STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program within our Youth Session at Enchanted Hills. The STEM program will run from July 13 to 16 and will provide students ages 11 to 15 with an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience in Science, Engineering and Technology and Math. More than education and fun, though, all participants will work with real-life blind scientists, chemists and engineers who will leave an unforgettable impression that adult science success is possible with little or no vision.

During the class, students will take part in hands-on, accessible and innovative activities including computing, rocket building, plant biology and chemistry. Students will also learn how to build their own accessible electronic devices using the popular Arduino systems and have the opportunity to take a field trip to the Exploratorium in San Francisco for some special hands-on instruction by Exploratorium scientists.

Parents and guardians who wish to register their children for the STEM program can do so on a supplemental section which is included with the Youth Session application.

  • Who: Youth ages 11 to 15
  • When: Wednesday, July 13 through Saturday, July 16
  • Cost: $60 Session Fee (free for those attending the youth session)

To sign up for this session, contact Taccarra Burrell at ehc@lighthouse-sf.org or 451-694-7310 for an application or with any questions.

Woodworking with George Wurtzel
Join expert carpenter George Wurtzel for a week long workshop designed for transition aged campers that are beginners and intermediate woodworkers.

This class will cover wood turning, hand tool work and an introduction to power tools. We’ll learn how to measure accurately without sight, using click rules, gauge blocks, Vernier calipers and talking tape measures. We’ll talk about wood types and construction techniques and learn when to glue, when to nail and when to use screws. We’ll also touch on finishing techniques.

  • Who: Youth ages 16 through 24
  • When: Monday, August 1 through Sunday, August 7, 2016
  • Cost: $300.00
  • Class is limited to 12 participants, so sign up now

To sign up for this special workshop, contact Taccarra Burrell at tburrell@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7318 for an application or with any questions.

Horse Camp with Diane Starin
Join us again for Horse Camp. Participants will have a chance to learn from avid horseback rider and wrangler, Diane Starin. Starin, who is blind, has owned, ridden, taught and cared for horses for more than 30 years. She has an Associates of Science degree in agricultural business, a Certificate in Horse Husbandry and is a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

This camp session is for blind or visually impaired riders, ages 16 through 24. It is geared for those that have ridden before, but not a lot. Starin has a wealth of knowledge about the proper care of horses, and students will have a truly unique chance to learn from a blind professional how it’s done with little or no sight.

Diane told us, “Horses have been my passion since I was about two and I have wanted to teach a horse camp for as long as I can remember. This is especially important to me, because blind people don’t have as much of a chance to ride and handle horses.”

  • Who: Youth ages 16 through 24
  • When: Monday, August 1 through Sunday, August 7, 2016
  • Cost for each camper is $300.
  • Space is limited to six participants, so sign up while spaces are available. We expect this session to be very popular.

Besides riding lessons and instruction on horse care (including a visit with a farrier), scheduled outings include a tour of the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center, driving a horse team at Rush Ranch, provided by Access Adventures. Started in 2005 by Mike Muir, the great grandson of environmentalist John Muir, Access Adventures will be providing an excellent opportunity for our campers to connect with nature through the horses.

A separate application is available for this session. Campers must have independent mobility skills.

Objectives for Horse Camp

  • Teach safety
  • Teach grooming
  • Teach tacking up
  • Teach good care and maintenance
  • Expand each camper’s knowledge of different kinds of equipment and their different applications
  • Riding and lessons as time and skill level allow

To sign up for this session, contact Taccarra Burrell at ehc@lighthouse-sf.org or 451-694-7310 for an application or with any questions.

LightHouse News

Spaces Filling up Fast for Horse, Music and Woodworking Special Camp Sessions

Our special STEM, woodworking and horse camp sessions return to Enchanted Hills Camp for another summer. Read on for details on each session.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) for Youth
This year Enchanted Hills Camp is again offering a special STEM program within our Youth Session at Enchanted Hills. The STEM program will run from July 13 to 16 and will provide students ages 11 to 15 or are blind or have low vision with an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience in Science, Engineering and Technology and Math. More than education and fun, though, all participants will work with real-life blind scientists, chemists and engineers who will leave an unforgettable impression that adult science success is possible with little or no vision.

During the class, students will take part in hands-on, accessible and innovative activities including computing, rocket building, plant biology and chemistry. Students will also have the opportunity to take a field trip to the Exploratorium in San Francisco for some special hands on instruction by Exploratorium scientists.

Parents and guardians who wish to register their children for the STEM program can do so on a supplemental section which is included with the Youth Session application.

Who: Youth ages 11 to 15
When: Wednesday, July 13 through Saturday, July 16
Cost: $60 Session Fee (free for those attending the youth session)

To find out more about this session, contact Camp Director Tony Fletcher at afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319, for an application or with any questions.

 

Woodworking with George Wurtzel

Student Amy Liu works with wood during a session at Enchanted Hills

 Join expert carpenter George Wurtzel for a week long workshop designed for transition aged campers that are beginners and intermediate woodworkers.

This class will cover wood turning, hand tool work and an introduction to power tools. We’ll learn how to measure accurately without sight, using click rules, gauge blocks, Vernier calipers and talking tape measures. We’ll talk about wood types and construction techniques and learn when to glue, when to nail and when to use screws. We’ll also touch on finishing techniques.

Who: Youth ages 16 through 24
When: Monday, August 1 through Sunday, August 7, 2016
Cost: $300.00
Class is limited to 12 participants, so sign up now

To sign up for this special workshop, contact Camp Director Tony Fletcher at tfletcher@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319 for an application or with any questions.

Horse Camp with Diane Starin

Join us again for Horse Camp. Participants will have a chance to learn from avid horseback rider and wrangler, Diane Starin. Starin, who is blind, has owned, ridden, taught and cared for horses for more than 30 years. She has an Associates of Science degree in agricultural business, a Certificate in Horse Husbandry and is a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

This camp session is for blind or visually impaired riders, ages 16 through 24. It is geared for those that have ridden before, but not a lot. Starin has a wealth of knowledge about the proper care of horses, and students will have a truly unique chance to learn from a blind professional how it’s done with little or no sight.

Diane told us, “Horses have been my passion since I was about two and I have wanted to teach a horse camp for as long as I can remember. This is especially important to me, because blind people don’t have as much of a chance to ride and handle horses.”

Who: Youth ages 16 through 24
When: Monday, August 1 through Sunday, August 7, 2016
Cost for each camper is $300.
Space is limited to six participants, so sign up while spaces are available. We expect this session to be very popular.

A separate application is available for this session. Campers must have independent mobility skills.

Objectives for Horse Camp:

  • Teach safety
  • Teach grooming
  • Teach tacking up
  • Teach good care and maintenance
  • Expand each camper’s knowledge of different kinds of equipment and their different applications
  • Riding and lessons as time and skill level allows

To find out more about this session, contact Camp Director Tony Fletcher at afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319 for an application or with any questions.

LightHouse News

Sign Up by Tomorrow – LightHouse Youth Program, the Exploratorium and NFB Team up for a Weekend of Science this Spring

Young Tino Benneli and Andre Berardi face off during a Battle-Bot competition, part of the robotics segment of our recent TouchSTEM session at Enchanted Hills.
Note: Deadline to apply for NFB STEM2U is tomorrow, January 5, 2016.

As part of a national grant to make science museums more accessible for the blind, the LightHouse will partner with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the Exploratorium for three days of science for blind school students from around California.

To address the lack of blind youth entering technical careers, the LightHouse believes we need to start early. Earlier than previously thought possible. Parents of blind children in grades 3 to 6 may want to consider this introductory session which features fun activities and great mentorship opportunities.

The free NFB STEM2U program will provide exciting accessible STEM learning opportunities for blind students in grades 3-6. Parents will also have the opportunity to join in the fun and learning.

What: NFB STEM2U San Francisco
When: March 3-5, 2016
Where: Exploratorium, San Francisco

Learn more and apply at www.blindscience.org/nfb-stem2u. If you have questions, please contact Natalie Shaheen at STEM@nfb.org.

LightHouse News

Attention Parents – Register Now – In Two Weeks Your Child Could Be Looking at a Career in STEM

The LightHouse encourages school-aged students and their families to attend this important event organized in part by LightHouse Board President Josh Miele.

The great jobs of tomorrow will be in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). But people with disabilities are currently underrepresented in these fields despite recent advances in the accessibility of information technology and other tools used by working professionals.

The STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities is an educational event where attendees meet role models with disabilities who have thriving careers in STEM fields. Hear from different speakers, meet other students and families, and learn from interactive science demonstrations. Students will leave with a better understanding of the many professional possibilities available and the inspiration to pursue STEM careers.

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 1 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: The Lawrence Hall of Science, 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720
No cost to register. Pre-registration is required.

The goal of this family event is to offer youth with various types of disabilities, the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the many professional possibilities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and the inspiration and strategies to pursue them. After an inspiring keynote speaker and a lively panel of STEM role models, students can interact with different science and math activities, learn about 3D printing, and meet the Lawrence Hall of Science’s animal ambassadors. Members from the STEM community and STEM professionals will be available to speak with younger students about science, engineering, and technology-related careers.

LightHouse Board President Josh Miele featured in Lawrence Hall of Science Program for Scientists-To-Be
A panel of STEM role models with disabilities will discuss such topics as the evolving landscape of STEM fields, overcoming the stigma associated with disabilities and learning the skills required for a successful academic and professional career.

Speakers include the following:

  • Dr. Joshua Miele, President of the Lighthouse Board of Directors and Associate Director of the Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Blindness and Low-Vision, will share his professional journey in the technology field as well as facilitate an interactive panel.
  • Ronit Ovadia, a healthcare professional working in the area of prenatal genetics counseling and a 2005 National Federation for the Blind scholarship winner.
  • Alex Ghenis, a Fellow at World Institute on Disability, who studies climate change’s potential impacts on people with disabilities.
  • College students with disabilities will share tips for making a smooth transition from high school to college.

How do I register? Go to http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/visit/events/STEMshowcase
How do I find out more? Contact Sherry Hsi at sherryh@berkeley.edu or 510-643-7827, or Emily Arnold at emarnold@berkeley.edu or 510-643-9019.

 

 

 

 

LightHouse Board President Josh Miele featured in Lawrence Hall of Science Program for Scientists-To-Be
LightHouse News

LightHouse Board President Josh Miele featured in Lawrence Hall of Science Program for Scientists-To-Be

School-aged students and their families are encouraged to attend.

The great jobs of tomorrow will be in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). People with disabilities are currently underrepresented in these fields despite recent advances in the accessibility of information technology and other tools used by working professionals.

The STEM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities is an educational event where attendees meet role models with disabilities who have thriving careers in STEM fields. Hear from different speakers, meet other students and families, and learn from interactive science demonstrations. Students leave with a better understanding of the many professional possibilities available and the inspiration to pursue STEM careers.

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 1 to 3:00 p.m.
Where: The Lawrence Hall of Science, 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720
No cost to register. Pre-registration is required.

School-aged students and families are encouraged to attend. After an inspiring keynote speaker and a lively panel of STEM role models, students can interact with different science and math activities, learn about 3D printing, and meet the Lawrence Hall of Science’s animal ambassadors. Members from the STEM community and STEM professionals will be available to speak with younger students about science, engineering, and technology-related careers.

Speakers include the following:

  • Dr. Joshua Miele, President of the Lighthouse Board of Directors and Associate Director of the Smith-Kettlewell Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Blindness and Low-Vision, will share his professional journey in the technology field as well as facilitate an interactive panel.
  • Ronit Ovadia, a healthcare professional working in the area of prenatal genetics counseling and a 2005 National Federation for the Blind scholarship winner.
  • Alex Ghenis, a Fellow at World Institute on Disability, who studies climate change’s potential impacts on people with disabilities.
  • College students with disabilities will share tips for making a smooth transition from high school to college.

A panel of STEM role models with disabilities will discuss such topics as the evolving landscape of STEM fields, overcoming the stigma associated with disabilities and learning the skills required for a successful academic and professional career.

How do I register? Go to http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/visit/events/STEMshowcase.
How do I find out more? Contact Sherry Hsi at sherryh@berkeley.edu or 510-643-7827, or Emily Arnold at emarnold@berkeley.edu or 510-643-9019.