For Immediate Release
Tech Camps Offered by RIT to Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Middle School Students
Rochester, N.Y. – Two specialized programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing middle school students from across the country are being offered this summer by Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
The first program, TechGirlz, is for girls entering 7th, 8th or 9th grade in September who are interested in science, technology, engineering and math.
TechGirlz, held July 30 to Aug. 5, 2011, is designed to help girls learn about and consider jobs and careers in science and technology. Campers will learn through hands-on activities such as building their own computer to take home, discovering the secrets of roller coaster design and becoming a commander on a simulated mission to Mars. They will also meet other girls with similar interests, enjoy social activities and get their own lab coats.
Camp classes are taught in English and in sign language, are certified by the New York State Department of Health and incorporate National Science Education standards. The cost is $650 and includes tuition, housing in a residence hall, and meals and snacks for the week. Parents are invited to opening and closing activities. For more information or an application, visit http://www.rit.edu/NTID/TechGirlzNR, call (585) 475-7695 voice/TTY or e-mail at [email protected].
The second program, Steps to Success, is a career exploration mini-camp Aug. 5-7, 2011 for deaf and hard-of-hearing African-American, Latino American and Native American students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade this fall.
The weekend camp allows students to explore career options that can help prepare them for life after high school. Working with experienced counselors and instructors who use both English and sign language, participants construct robots, perform science experiments in high-tech labs, and more. Students will stay in residence halls, get a taste of life on campus and meet other students from around the country.
Contact: [email protected] (585) 475-6217 V/TTY
Parents or guardians are encouraged to stay for the weekend and can get tips to support their student through this time of transition, as well as share experiences and information with other parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
The cost for students attending Steps To Success is $50 and includes housing, meals and activities. Limited scholarships are available based on financial need. For parents, the cost is $100 per person for the weekend.
To register, visit http://www.rit.edu/NTID/StepstoSuccessNR. For more information, call (585) 475-7695 voice/TTY or e-mail: [email protected].
Registration deadline for TechGirlz and Steps To Success is May 31, 2011.
The National Technical Institute for the Deaf is the first and largest technological college in the world for deaf and hard-of-hearing students – a record 1,521 students attend NTID this year; more than 1,300 of them are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Others are hearing students enrolled in interpreting or deaf education programs.
As one of eight colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology, NTID offers associate degree programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and provides support and access services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students enrolled in RIT’s other colleges. RIT in internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging technology, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT offers more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation.