<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The following comes for the Education department of our National Center for the blind.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> I would highly encourage you to apply for this great oppertunity if you think it sounds interesting to you. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> Best,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> Darian Smith, 2nd Vice President, National Association of Blind Students</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">------------------------------------------------------</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Attention blind and low vision high school students:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have you heard that this coming school year the National Federation of the Blind is facilitating exciting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs across the country! These programs are particularly exciting for high school students, as they will provide you with the opportunity to step up into the role of mentor and leader for younger blind students.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being a mentor is a fun and rewarding opportunity! You likely know, from your own experience, how much of a difference a mentor can make in your life. Did you know the experience can be just as impactful for the mentor as it is for the mentee?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">High school students who participate in the NFB STEM2U programs will attend a Leadership Academy this September to prepare for their work as mentors and leaders at the regional programs later in the year. That’s two programs in one year and no registration fee to boot!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>**<u>The application deadline for high school students has been extended to <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">June 30</a>, 2014.</u>**</b><b> </b>Don’t miss your opportunity to capitalize on this great experience!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.blindscience.org/nfb-stem2u">LEARN MORE</a> and <a href="https://nfb.org/stem2u-student-application">APPLY</a> before <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">June 30, 2014</a>!<span class="MsoHyperlink" style="text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Program Dates:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">· NFB STEM2U Leadership Academy; <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3">September 5-7, 2014</a> (a special event for high-school-aged participants)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">· NFB STEM2U Baltimore (MD); <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4">November 6-8, 2014</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">· NFB STEM2U Boston (MA); <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://5" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="5">March 12-15, 2015</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">· NFB STEM2U Columbus (OH); <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://6" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6">May 14-16, 2015</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Do you live in a state other than Maryland, Massachusetts, or Ohio? No problem! You can apply to attend the programs as long as you live in the United States!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you have questions, please contact Natalie Shaheen by email at <a href="mailto:STEM@nfb.org" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="7">STEM@nfb.org</a><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> or by phone at <a href="tel:(410)%20659-9314" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="8">(410) 659-9314</a>, extension 2312</span></span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Grant No. <a href="tel:1322855" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="9">1322855</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">P.S. If you know blind or low vision elementary school students or teachers who work with blind students, be sure to tell them about the programs, too! Their applications are due <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://10" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="10">July 31</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p></body></html>