http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-980577.mp3
Albany, NY – OPENING BILLBOARD & EDUCATION HEADLINES - Glenn Busby (:45)
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH IN DISABILITIES EDUCATION
SCI-VIS MAKES SPACE CAMP ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS
SPACE CAMP MOTTO: "JUST BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE STARS, DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T REACH FOR THEM" -
Each October is designated National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the U.S. It's an effort to educate the American public and increase awareness of the contributions and skills of workers with disabilities. Various programs throughout the month highlight specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed.
A group of teachers and students from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired recently visited NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The program was part of an effort to expose blind students to careers in STEM - science, technology, engineering, and math. And there are other like programs underway too.
Space Camp for interested visually impaired students is a weeklong camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. It helps middle and high school students who are blind or who have low vision, to learn about space and space-related technology. The students experience simulated space missions, using equipment that adapted with Braille and large print, and computer programs that convert text to speech.
Of course everyone is aware that the space shuttle recently completed its 30-years working in space. But that isn't the end of the space program. Scientists will always be needed to continue exploration of the universe.
TBOOK's Allison Dunne witnessed the Space Camp adventures in full action.
Glenn Busby reports. (13:26)
Featured in the above story are:
Students - Katie Gleckler, Jasmine Rahseparian, and Deanna Greco
SCI-VIS Coordinator - Dan Oates
Oklahoma School for the Blind Teacher - Cheryl Daniels, and
Participant Parent - Phyllis Greco
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THE ACADEMIC MINUTE
"NANOPARTICLES" -
While we're on the subject of science, this week's Academic Minute professor explains why nanoparticles have the potential to make almost everything better.
Dr. Linda Schadler is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The Academic Minute is hosted by Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, a celebrated philosopher and medical ethicist, and President of Mount Holyoke College.
Segment Run Time: (2:30)
*(Attention Listeners! For more Academic Minutes, we invite you to visit our archives at: http://www.wamc.org/academic-minute.html .)*
MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF ADULT ILLITERACY IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL -
The nation's capital always seems to monopolize media attention. Indeed, Washington D.C. attracts some of the most educated, literate people in the country.
But speaking of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the District of Columbia is also home to a staggering number of residents who have difficulty reading. Reports show more than one-third of all D.C. residents lack basic literacy skill. That's 20% higher than the national average. U.S. Census Bureau figures estimate 600-thousand residents live in the District, which means as many as 200-thousand can't read!
Emily Friedman investigates methods being used to try to boost adult literacy in America's capital.
Emily Friedman reports. (3:38)
SHOW CLOSE - Glenn Busby. (1:30)