The 2016 Regional Iowa Braille Challenge is a unique event that highlights the importance of Braille reading and writing and celebrates Iowa Braille readers. The Iowa Braille Challenge will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the Department for the Blind in Des Moines, Iowa. Registration begins at 8:40 am with the opening Pep Rally beginning at 9:30. In the event of poor weather, a snow date has been scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2016. The free parking lot is on the NW corner of Watson Powell Jr. Parkway and 4th Street.
The Iowa event is a collaborative project of the Iowa Department for the Blind and the Iowa Braille School/Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired. It is a regional contest of the National Braille Challenge, sponsored by the Braille Institute of America Inc. This year’s student-selected theme is “Feel the Power of Braille.”
The Power of STEAM!
This year’s Braille Challenge is on Saturday, January 30th and will be a busy day at the Iowa Department for the Blind with some new offerings in addition to the contest. “The Power of STEAM” is an expansion of the activities presented in conjunction with the 2016 Regional Iowa Braille Challenge. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics to guide students through engaging learning experiences that combine scientific inquiry with the creative arts.
The free STEAM activities begin in the afternoon, starting at 12:30. A number of “Charging Stations” will be set up in the Assembly Room and will feature hands-on experiences for parents and Braille Challenge students (after they finish competing) in areas including Technology, Braille, Transition, Vocational Rehabilitation, Library, Home and Personal Management, Shop, Cane Travel, Consumer Organizations, IRIS, and Newsline. A keynote speaker, Cary Supalo, will give a presentation immediately following the Braille Challenge awards ceremony, “The Power of STEAM.”
Any interested student may participate but you must register in advance by January 12, 2016.
For information and registration forms go to the Iowa Department for the Blind website http://www.idbonline.org/
