Free Sign Language Science Camp at Jefferson Lab Now Accepting Registration
April 17, 2018
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The Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility has announced the opening of registration for its popular Summer Science Camp for Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing Youth, scheduled for Aug. 13-17. The camp is designed to meet the needs of rising fourth- through eighth-grade students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and it also welcomes siblings of deaf and hard-of-hearing youth and children of a deaf adult.
Now in its fifth year, the camp offers hands-on science activities presented in a barrier-free environment for youth in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
“The Deaf Science Camp not only exposes kids to many different areas of science in a fun and engaging way, it also gives kids the opportunity to meet other deaf and hard-of-hearing kids from around the state,” says Brita Hampton, camp coordinator. “We also have deaf and hard-of-hearing adults who come and share their expertise in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career fields, as well as serve as mentors to the kids!”
The camp will be held at Jefferson Lab, located in Newport News, Va. The program runs daily through the week of Aug. 13, 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
American Sign Language (ASL) (no voice) will be used exclusively on Aug. 13, 14 and 15 (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). ASL interpreters will use voice and ASL for activities on Aug.16 and 17 (Thursday and Friday). Youth may attend the camp for as little as one day or for the entire week.
The program is free to participants; however, advance registration is required. To register, visit the camp website for email instructions: education.jlab.org/sciencecamp/
Registration is encouraged no later than Aug. 3.
During the camp, participants may bring their lunch or buy lunch in the lab’s cafeteria. Lodging is available for purchase on campus for out-of-town families. More information is available on request by contacting Hampton via the camp website.
Stephen Gagnon
Stephen Gagnon is the Acting Manager of Science Education for the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) in Newport News, Virginia. He received his BA in Physics from Cornell University in 1991 and joined Jefferson Lab’s Science Education group in 1992. In addition to filling the role of Acting Manager, Steve manages the Science Education website, conducts the Lab’s Physics Fest presentations and teaches in the Lab’s Becoming Enthusiastic About Math and Science (BEAMS) program. He is the co-host of Frostbite Theater, a science series on Youtube with 52 million views and 197,000 subscribers.