Summer Exploration Program for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
MSB Summer Exploration Programs 2024
When: Session 1: July 8-19, 2024. Session 2: July 23-August 2, 2024
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2024
Location: Missouri School for the Blind, St. Louis
Application: MSB Summer Exploration 2024
Missouri School for the Blind is pleased to offer Missouri students who are blind or visually impaired four (4) summer, sessions focused on developing students' abilities to access Leisure Recreation and Community-Based Orientation and Mobility, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), Fine Arts, and Work Training and Experience. Through Summer Explorations, MSB seeks to provide a non-traditional, high-quality, academic and functional programs designed to supplement the student’s regular educational experience with an emphasis on the Expanded Core Curriculum for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Session 1: Summer Explorations 2024 - Set Your Sights on Adventure - Grades 8-12 (July 8 - 19) is a two-week opportunity for students to explore concepts in leisure recreation and community-based orientation and mobility. During the first week of their adventure, students will visit a variety of St. Louis area sites where they will review and develop their orientation and mobility and compensatory (VI) skills while exploring community-based leisure recreation activities. Space is limited.
Session 2: Summer Explorations 2024 - Explorations in STEAM - Cardboard Engineering - Grades 8-12 (July 22-August 2) is an exciting, interactive opportunity for students to work alongside our experienced STEAM staff to develop skills in teamwork and scientific inquiry which will allow them to increase their independence while participating in hands-on activities and exploring engineering and art principals. During Explorations in STEAM: Cardboard Engineering students will exercise their design smarts, expand their thinking, and learn the basics of physics and engineering with activities that have real-life applications. Students will use their imaginations to collaborate and solve problems all while having fun.
Sessions 1 and 2: Explorations in Performing Arts - Musical Summer Theatre - Grades 3-10 (July 8-August 2) is a 20-day immersion program designed to introduce students to a wide variety of musical and theatrical skills and concepts through a hands-on learning model Student participants will explore singing, character development, line delivery, and choreography. Backstage aspects will include building sets; selecting and making props; selecting and/or creating costumes, lighting, and sound. Students will create and perform professional and student-created works as well as improvisational scenes. During Musical Summer Theatre, students will learn performance skills by experiencing and participating in a variety of lessons and activities. Additionally, students will attend a live music or theatre performance. The culminating experience will be held in our own Samuel Green Auditorium with a reception to follow.
Sessions 1 and 2: Summer Explorations 2024 – Work Training and Experience Program (July 8 – August 2) (ages 16-21 years) MSB, in conjunction with community partner(s), is pleased to collaborate this summer to provide Missouri students with the opportunity to get paid while going to summer school. A student will not be eligible to participate in the Work Training Program if they had worked at the location before. Space is limited.
Visit https://msb.dese.mo.gov/ for more information, including a schedule of events and the registration form. Summer applications are due May 1, 2024. Parents and school districts may also contact Desirèe Morris, School Supervisor at 314-776-4320 or Desiree.Morris@msb.dese.mo.gov.
* Sessions are provided free of charge for qualifying students.
* Transportation and supervised residential housing are provided for students outside the St. Louis metro area during the week.
All students are released at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays and will return home during the weekend.
Note: This completed application and your student's current IEP must be received by MSB by May 1, 2024 for consideration in a Summer Explorations course.
For more information, contact:
Andrea Stoffel
Community Relations Facilitator
314-633-3942
Andrea.Stoffel@msb.dese.mo.gov