National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam

July 23-29, 2017

General Information

NFB Youth Slam is a weeklong learning opportunity that gets blind students excited about STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), and careers in STEM, by offering hands-on learning opportunities. NFB Youth Slam is a program sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind's National Center for Blind Youth in Science initiative.

This five-day STEM academy will engage and inspire the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind. For the week of the academy, students will stay in the dorms at Towson University and eat in the dining halls, getting a taste of the college experience.

Students need not have a strong interest in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) in order to participate, enjoy, and benefit from this academy. However, students must be performing academically within two grade levels of their current grade in school (e.g., a 10th grader must be performing academically at an 8th grade level or higher). The STEM courses at the NFB Youth Slam are designed to be challenging for high school students. One hundred students will be selected from those eligible to participate.

The Specs

Application: The application period is now closed. Students will be notified of their application status soon.

Registration Fee: $500 due Friday, June 9, 2017. Students who are accepted to attend the NFB Youth Slam will be expected to pay the registration fee. The fee covers academy costs such as: transportation, room and board, and curricular materials. If the registration fee poses a financial burden for the student's family, please contact us and we will assist in identifying organizations that can help to cover the registration fee for the student. We do not wish for financial hardship to impede students’ participation.

Learn More About the NFB Youth Slam

Listen to Jordyn Castor's speech from the 2016 national convention: Slam That! Living the Life She Wants Begins with the Federation
Braille Monitor 2011 Article: Driving Change: The 2011 NFB Youth Slam by Natalie Shaheen
Future Reflections 2009 Article: NFB Youth Slam: What I wish I had learned as a teen by Mary Jo Hartle
Watch a video about the 2007 and 2009 NFB Youth Slam.

Additional Information

Please visit the NFB Youth Slam student page for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions.
If you are seeking information about volunteering for the NFB Youth Slam academy, please visit the NFB Youth Slam volunteer page.