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Lorem Ipsum Dolor Spring 2016
5
Curriculum
The curriculum of the weeklong summer camp experience focused on
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and was sponsored by a
national consumer organization. The camp was advertised within the blind
community by the organization as an opportunity to build awareness and
efficacy in students with visual impairment for learning and eventually working
in STEM fields.
About ten weeks before camp, participants were contacted by
telephone and/or email and encouraged to select a STEM area of interest.
Throughout the subsequent weekly calls the students were coached to
generate an inquiry-based question for use during the camp (Shaheen,
2013.) No restrictions were placed on the students in terms of acceptable
topics. However, some students did require a bit of guidance in forming a
testable question. After students defined their area of interest, they conducted
background research, developed an investigation plan and generated a
supply list of necessary materials. Students kept an investigation journal
detailing their ideas, questions, and plans. This information was emailed to
the camp director and shared with the content experts who mentored the
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