DRS STEM training for students with disabilities: Online and doing fine!

OKLAHOMA CITY – Free Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) camps funded by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services will be “online and doing fine” this summer in seven locations around the state.

DRS partners with Rick and Sherri DeDennaux from Tech-Now, Inc.to offer the three-day online Virtual Summer STEM Camps in seven areas.

The camps are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Meeker, Ada, Tuska, Oklahoma City, Lawton, Owasso and Tulsa.

“We had to reorganize fast when Covid-19 threatened our STEM camp plans,” DRS Transition Coordinator Renee Sansom said. “We hope to be back in the classroom next year, but online training makes sure our students still have fun and expand their technology skills this summer.”

Students, ages 14-18, with physical, mental or cognitive disabilities will use computers and related technologies to design and build multiple gravity race cars, t-shirts, full-color patches and several more creative projects.

“Our students will develop skills in engineering, technology, teamwork, photography, and design and product development that will last a lifetime,” Rick DeRennaux said.

What: Free STEM Camps

Times: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Registration links are listed below.

Locations & Dates:

DRS STEM Camp 2020 Meeker area (June 2-4) - Survey closed

DRS STEM Camp 2020 Ada area (June 8-10)- Survey closed

DRS STEM Camp 2020 Tushka area (June 16-18) - Survey closed

DRS STEM Camp 2020 OKC area (June 22-24) - Survey closed

DRS STEM Camp 2020 Lawton area (July 13-15) - Survey closed

DRS STEM Camp 2020 Owasso area (July 20-22) - Survey closed

DRS STEM Camp 2020 Tulsa area (July 29-31) - Survey closed

The Transition School-to-Work Program provides vocational rehabilitation services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work study, and job development and placement. Virtual Summer STEM training is just one of the many programs DRS offers in partnership with other agencies, public school systems and community organizations.

Tech-Now is a technology-focused program that targets students with disabilities transitioning from high school to post-secondary education or employment. The program is committed to changing the way students with disabilities develop and apply technology skills and prepare for the transition to adult life in the 21st century workplace.

For more information about STEM camp, contact Renee Sansom at 405-212-7789 or rsansom@okdrs.gov, or visit DRS Transition on the web at http://www.okdrs.gov/students/transition.