PPD/DP: An Ocean of Potentiality: Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

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The Ocean of Potentiality Project, in cooperation with scientific, multiple nonprofit and state education organizations, will build and support a Hawaii-wide experiential and accessible guidance-instruction network to facilitate individuals who are disabled to attain interest, education and careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology (SMET). The project will be organized and conducted by the University of Hawaii in cooperation with multiple scientific and nonprofit and state education organizations. The project calls for use of a three-tiered approach for the change of attitudes and for provision of educational opportunities on a student, educator/family, and state policy level. We propose to create a program that involves a core of students, families, scientists, educators, and university-level science teacher trainers who will affect the larger population of students by affecting science education curriculum, and educational practices and policy in the state. The project proposes to identify, conduct, evaluate, and disseminate hands-on, field-based science. Emphasis will be placed on activities appropriate for students with and without disabilities to promote collaborative work in heterogeneous teams to actively experience science while learning about the human ecology of Hawaii. Role models and mentors, many with disabilities themselves, will interact with the student teams to advance access and inclusion of all students in the SMET fields. Assistive technology will be used in concert with Internet display arenas to insure that students will be fully included and empowered in SMET activities. Electronic technology (including the Internet) will be used to encourage networking and information dissemination among student teams, educational organizations, administrators, and members of the community. The project will be carefully documented for public television and Internet venues. All publications produced by the project wil l be available through fully accessible electronic media.