Tag: Braille Challenge

Library Chat Podcast: February 2023 Featuring the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and IDB STEM Fest

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February 28, 2023

4:07 pm

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library, Youth Programming

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February’s Library Chat Podcast is all about Braille, the Braille Challenge and our accessible STEM Fest.  Library staff discuss the Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and the IDB STEM Fest that was hosted by the Library at the Iowa Department for the Blind on Saturday, February 25, 2023.  Jodi, Angie and Leland had a chance to talk with the students participating in the Braille Challenge, their parents and IDB staff about braille.  The podcast also features a song created and performed by Frank Strong especially for the Braille Challenge and a rap that staff member, Jodi Aldini wrote and performed highlighting the Braille Challenge participants.

 

Iowa Braille Challenge T-Shirts are still available until Friday, March 3rd!

Link to Online Store
Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering. The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.
To help us celebrate the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and Braille literacy, we are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage this year for the Braille Challenge t-shirt.  The theme for 2023 is Braille! Let the Sunshine In.The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved.  Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.  The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.  All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  Participants of the Braille Challenge will be provided with a t-shirt that have been  generously donated by the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Congratulations to Iowa’s Regional Braille Challenge Participants!

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February 27, 2023

9:45 am

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Braille Challenge LogoThe Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or low vision. Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.

Braille Challenge participants tested both remotely during the month of February and at the in-person Iowa Regional Braille Challenge held on Saturday, February 25th at the Iowa Department for the Blind.

Thank you to our students, proctors and parents for making the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge such a great success!

Check out our 2023 Braille Challenge Page for more information and this year’s results!

We would also like to send out a huge thank you the South Central (SC) STEM Hub and to all of the organizations that helped make the IDB STEM Festival a success.  Exhibitors from around the metro area shared their expertise in STEM, and all the activities were based on the best practices of Universal Design concepts and materials were provided in accessible formats (large print and braille).  The goal of the event was to communicate that STEM is all-inclusive and that the best ideas come when diverse minds team up to solve problems. It was an amazing way to end the day!

Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering. The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.The T-Shirts are still available until Friday, March 3!

Link to Online Store

To help us celebrate the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and Braille literacy, we are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage this year for the Braille Challenge t-shirt.  The theme for 2023 is Braille! Let the Sunshine In.

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved.  Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.  The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.  All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  Participants of the Braille Challenge will be provided with a t-shirt that have been  generously donated by the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Let the Sunshine In With a 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge T-Shirt

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February 1, 2023

8:15 am

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Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering. The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.To help us celebrate the 2023 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and Braille literacy, we are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage this year for the Braille Challenge t-shirt.  This year’s theme, chosen by the students, is Braille! Let the Sunshine In.The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille.

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved. Shirts are heather yellow with black lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: BRAILLE let the sunshine in., with a graphic of a sun with a smiling face surrounded by sunbeams, hidden in some of the sunbeams is the word braille in braille.  The back of the t-shirt says, BRAILLE let the sunshine in, in braille. 

All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  Participants of the Braille Challenge will be provided with a t-shirt that have been  generously donated by the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

All proceeds from the t-shirt sales will benefit the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and future Braille Challenges.

We are taking orders through Friday, February 10, 2023.  You can choose to have your t-shirt shipped directly to you or pick up at Braille Challenge on Saturday, February 25th at the Iowa Department for the Blind.  If you will not be at the event, please have the shirt shipped directly to you.

Let the sunshine in and order a t-shirt today!

T-shirt Order Form

Save the Date: Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and STEM Fest

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January 27, 2023

3:39 pm

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Braille Challenge Logo
Image of a sun shining Let the Sunshine In! Text: IDB STEM Fest Saturday, February 25, 2023 Iowa Department for the Blind 2:00pm - 4:00pm

The Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled will host its 17th Regional Braille Challenge on February 25, 2023, from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Braille readers (grades 1-12) from Iowa will gather at the Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street in Des Moines, to test their braille skills in five categories: reading comprehension, braille spelling, charts and graphs reading, proofreading, and braille speed and accuracy. Immediately following the competition, winners from each age group are announced.

Winners of this Iowa Regional Braille Challenge will go on to compete at the national finals held at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. From there, 50 students (10 in each of the five categories) with the highest scores from around North America and the UK embark on another competition to test their braille skills alongside peers from around the world.

This year, an in-person STEM festival is back. STEM stands for Science-Technology-Engineering-Math. From 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM that same day, the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) will partner with the South Central (SC) STEM Hub to host an event themed: Let the Sunshine In! The festival is open to the public and will serve all children in grades K-12 and their families.

Exhibitors from around the metro area will share expertise in STEM, and all activities will be based on the best practices of Universal Design concepts and materials will be provided in accessible formats (large print and braille). Participants can take part in cooking and wood shop demonstrations highlighting non-visual techniques.  The goal of the event is to communicate that STEM is all-inclusive and that the best ideas come when diverse minds team up to solve problems.

Register to attend or exhibit at https://scstemhub.drake.edu/festivals/. Attendees who pre-register will receive a free tote bag while supplies last. Walk-ins are welcome.

Library News Podcast: March 2022

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March 7, 2022

3:23 pm

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Library News

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Join library staff for March’s Library News podcast which features information on customized Talking Book Topics called Tiny TBTs, the top ten fiction books downloaded on BARD last month, information about the 2022 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge, the Great Reading Challenge, information about the upcoming Des Moines Book Festival, save the date information for the Elizabeth Perowsky Volunteer Workshop and Luncheon, upcoming Youth programs, and information about ongoing library events and programs.

Congratulations to Iowa’s Regional Braille Challenge Participants!

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March 1, 2022

8:30 am

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Library Events

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Front of the t-shirt: says in print, The Magic of Braille, with a graphic of a cauldron with books piled on top surrounded by stars.The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or low vision. Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.

Braille Challenge participants tested both remotely during the month of February and at the the in-person Iowa Regional Braille Challenge held on Saturday, February 26th at the Iowa Department for the Blind.

Thank you to our students, proctors and parents for making the 2022 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge such a great success!

Check out our 2022 Braille Challenge Page

The Magic of Braille T-Shirts are still available until Friday, March 4!

Link to Online Store

To help us celebrate the 2022 Iowa Regional Braille Challenge and Braille literacy, we are pleased to work with local, small business The Side Garage this year for the Braille Challenge t-shirt.  The theme for 2022 is The Magic of Braille.

All shirts are crew neck and short sleeved.  Shirts are heather black with gold lettering.  The front of the t-shirt says in print: The Magic of Braille, with a graphic of a cauldron with books piled on top surrounded by stars.  The back of the t-shirt says, The Magic of Braille, in Braille.  All sizing is unisex and all shirts are $20.00.  The t-shirts will be mailed directly to you.

All proceeds from the t-shirt sales will benefit the Friends of the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and future Braille Challenges.