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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
<br>
CONTACT:<br>
</b>Mark Riccobono<br>
Executive Director<br>
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2368<br>
(410) 935-4019<br>
<a href="mailto:mriccobono@nfb.org">mriccobono@nfb.org</a><br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>National Federation of the Blind Launches NFB
Project Innovation<br>
<br>
<i>Innovation Expo Will Feature Findings by Blind Youth<br>
on Topics Ranging from Space Elevators to Hovercrafts<br>
</i> <br>
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Baltimore, Maryland (July 25, 2012): </b>The
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">National Federation of the Blind</a> (NFB)
today launched its first-ever NFB Project Innovation as part of its
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/NFBScience">National Center for Blind
Youth in Science</a> initiative. This program, held through July
28, at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, will expose twenty-nine
blind students of a variety of ages to nonvisual practices that
facilitate their involvement in science, technology, engineering, and
math (STEM), encourage mentoring and leadership development in blind
youth, and encourage innovation and scientific experimentation for blind
students in the classroom.<br>
<br>
NFB Project Innovation brings together blind STEM experts, adult blind
mentors, blind high school students, and blind elementary students
(grades 3–6) and their parents/guardians. The program facilitates
student-directed learning, as each NFB Project Innovation participant
chooses their course of study. Throughout the five-day program,
students will learn from blind leaders in their respective fields as they
investigate their area of study.<br>
<br>
On Saturday, July 28, NFB Project Innovation will culminate in the
Innovation Expo, where the students will reveal the results of their
multi-day investigations. The students will be presenting their
findings on diverse topics ranging from space elevators and hovercrafts
to nonvisual dissection and the science of ice cream! The expo will
be held from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the NFB Jernigan Institute.<br>
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/marc-maurer-bio">Dr. Marc Maurer</a>,
President of the
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind">National
Federation of the Blind</a>, said: “Much of society still perpetuates the
damaging misconception that blind people cannot participate in STEM
fields. NFB Project Innovation counteracts that misconception
by introducing blind youth to successful blind mentors in these fields
and giving the students the tools needed to learn the nonvisual methods
that will allow them to participate and excel in science, technology,
engineering, and math. And unlike other science programs
where students are assigned fields of study, NFB Project Innovation
allows its participants to chart their own course, which will instill in
them an even greater confidence in their own capacity for
achievement. The NFB Project Innovation participants will leave
this program with the belief that they can compete on an equal playing
field with their sighted peers in the STEM fields, as well as in all
other aspects of life.”<br>
<br>
NFB Project Innovation is made possible by its generous sponsors,
including the
<a href="http://responsibility.motorolasolutions.com/index.php/society/">
Motorola Solutions Foundation</a>, <a href="http://www.nsa.gov/">the
National Security Agency</a>,
<a href="http://www.northropgrumman.com/">Northrop Grumman</a>, and
<a href="http://www.community.ups.com/UPS+Foundation">the UPS
Foundation.</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br>
<br>
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About the National Federation of the Blind <br>
</b>With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind
people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives
through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading
force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's
blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of
the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in
the United States for the blind led by the blind.<br>
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