[NFB-Science] Announcing Chemistry Immersion Day for Blind and Low Vision Students at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon!

[Louis Maher]

On Tue, May 5, 2026 at 12:49 PM 'Rosenblum, L Penny - (rosenblu)' via POSB_STEM <posb_stem at googlegroups.com<mailto:posb_stem at googlegroups.com>> wrote:

POSB Listserv Members, please see the following information from Dr. Hoby Wedler.



Hello!



We hope the school year is wrapping up beautifully for you all and that you're preparing for an excellent summer!



We're writing today to let you know of a fantastic opportunity for any blind or low vision students ages 13-18 who are interested in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM)!

Dr. Hoby Wedler, Professor David Stuart, and Professor Theresa McCormick are hosting a hands-on chemistry immersion day for blind and low vision students in the laboratories of Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. (We realize this is geared towards students in the Pacific Northwest, but we wanted to extend the opportunity nationally as well.)

The date of the program is Saturday, June 13, 2026 from 9 AM until 4 PM.

Students will get to perform hands on organic chemistry experiments where the sense of smell will be used to determine when reactions have completed. We will also explore atmospheric chemistry and hear talks from all the organizers about their fields of research and how they can be made accessible to blind and low vision students. And of course, there are more surprises not yet revealed!

We will also do some exciting chemistry with liquid nitrogen!

Lunch and snacks will be provided to all students!



Dr. Wedler has been blind since birth and is a Ph.D. Organic chemist, so he will be an advocate to ensure students receive a fully accessible program and he serves as a role model for any students wanting to enter STEM fields in college.



To apply for our program, please fill out the form linked here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKIQttG2DDr93YI0gZ8y9gJtC-5vaoF5liwZJ7hzWGIujSsg/viewform?usp=header

All applications are due by end of business on Friday, May 29.



After applicants are selected, parents will receive a form to sign with Docusign and instructions for proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

We will also collect dietary information and we will provide a day plan for parents wishing to explore Portland, Oregon.

This is a one-of-a-kind program not offered frequently where students will get a full day hands on experience in a college chemistry department. The program is gennerously funded by the National Science Foundation.

It is not to be missed!



If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Hoby Wedler, Professor David Stuart, or Professor Theresa McCormick.



Their emails are as follows:

Hoby: hoby at hoby.com<mailto:hoby at hoby.com>

Dave: dstuart at pdx.edu<mailto:dstuart at pdx.edu>

Theresa: theresa5 at pdx.edu<mailto:theresa5 at pdx.edu>



We encourage any and all students to apply for this exciting and game changing program!



Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you on June 13.



Kindest regards,

--Hoby, Dave, and Theresa


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--
Maylene Bird, CTVI, COMS
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Secondary Certified Mathematics Teacher
1100 W 45th Street
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 206-9221
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