Career Exploration Series
Career Exploration
Series
Overview
The Career Exploration Series brings an exciting lineup of interactive virtual webinars tailored for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 6-12. Each semester, we dive into unique career-related topics paired with engaging activities. You'll also discover which college majors can lead you to your dream career.
Upon registration, you'll receive a complimentary box filled with supplies and materials to enhance your webinar experience and continue your exploration afterward.*
Want to revisit past workshops? You can request web links and access in the next section of our website. If you have a specific topic in mind for a new webinar, simply email us at ntidoutreach@rit.edu to submit a request.
*Not all webinars include supplies and materials. Please contact us for more details.
Current Webinars
2025 - 2026 School Year
Upcoming Fall Webinars:
Internet of Things: Building a Smart Plant Watering System
Tao Eng
What is the webinar about?
This webinar is about introducing students in grades 6–12 to the Internet of Things (IoT) through a hands-on project. Participants will learn how to build a smart plant watering system, combining sensors, and hardware. The session will include both guided instruction and interactive activities to give students practical experience with IoT concepts.
What will students learn?
Students will learn how to:
- Understand the basics of the Internet of Things (IoT)
- Connect sensors and simple hardware to measure soil moisture
- See how technology can solve real-world problems (like keeping plants healthy)
- Work on a hands-on project they can build and test themselves
Why should students participate?
Students will gain real-world experience with technology while building something fun and useful. This lab helps them understand how everyday problems can be solved with IoT, develop coding and problem-solving skills, and get hands-on practice with hardware. It’s a great way to explore STEM in an interactive and creative way.
What careers might this webinar lead to?
Careers this webinar could inspire:
- Computer Science & Software Development – writing programs and apps
- Cybersecurity – protecting devices and networks
- Data Science – analyzing data from IoT devices
- Electrical & Computer Engineering – designing smart devices and circuits
- Robotics & Automation – building machines that interact with the world
- Smart Agriculture & Environmental Technology – using IoT to improve farming and sustainability
The Future of Data Careers: How AI is Transforming Analysts, Scientists, Engineers, and Architects
Song Hoa Choi
What is this webinar about?
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the data landscape, changing how professionals analyze, manage, and design information systems. Data analysts now use AI-driven tools for faster insights, data scientists leverage machine learning for deeper predictions, engineers ensure scalable and efficient data pipelines, and architects design AI-ready infrastructures. As automation expands, the demand for critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and adaptability grows. This webinar explores how AI is redefining these roles and what skills will be essential for the future.
What will students learn?
Students will learn about:
- AI’s impact on data careers
- Evolving roles in analytics and engineering
- Future-ready skills for success
- Ethics and adaptability in AI
- Preparing for new opportunities
Why should students participate?
Students will gain insights into the future of data and AI, discover high-demand career skills, learn how to stay competitive in a rapidly changing job market, and connect their knowledge with real-world applications.
What careers might this webinar lead to?
Careers this webinar could inspire:
- Data analyst
- Data scientist
- Statistician
- Biostatistician
- Survey researcher
- Business Intelligence analyst
- Social science research assistant
- Research scientist
- Database architect
Smart Crab Robotics: Build, Test, and Explore
Trisha Gard-Thompson
What is this webinar about?
A fast, hands-on build where students create a tabletop “crab” robot that can side-walk, avoid obstacles/edges, and respond to light—then test and improve its behavior using simple, visual steps.
What will students learn?
Students will learn core robotics and how different parts of a robot contribute to its operation: motors, sensors, power, and chassis.
Why should students participate?
This activity is designed to be fun and highly visual, while also moving quickly. In just 30–45 minutes, participants can build, set their creations in motion, and see immediate results. The process incorporates real engineering principles—testing, measuring, making adjustments, and re-testing—so students actively engage in problem-solving and iterative design.
What will students learn?
- Robotics / Mechatronics technician or engineer
- Automation & Controls, PLC/industrial robotics
- Mechanical or Electrical engineering
- Manufacturing & QA (testing, measurement, fixtures)
- Marine/field robotics (biomimicry, ROVs)
Register for a Webinar Event
We're thrilled to announce new webinars (listed below) as they become available; designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 6-12. Each session focuses on a unique and exciting topic, providing engaging experiences and valuable insights into various career paths. You can choose to register for one or all of the webinars.
Each webinar will take place on its scheduled date from 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET.
Recordings will be provided for people who cannot attend.
If you have questions about our webinars or would like to access our archives, please email us at NTIDOutreach@ntid.rit.edu.
Student Registration
Click this button to register a deaf or hard-of-hearing student for a CES webinar. Do not individually register if the student's teacher is registering the whole class.
Teacher Registering a Group
If you are a teacher of a group of deaf/hard-of-hearing students: you do not need to individually register your students, and you should tell your students not to individually register themselves.
Instead, just send us a request to register your whole group. Include the webinar name and date, and a list of your students' full names, grade levels, and email addresses. Send to ntidoutreach@rit.edu and we will register your students for you.
Past Webinars
Missed a webinar or want to revisit a presentation? All of our webinars are recorded. Just reach out to request access to past sessions.
Environmental Science
Annemarie Ross
What is this webinar about? If you have seen fireflies during the summer, you might be wondering how they make their bodies glow at night. Chemiluminescence is a result of a chemical reaction that creates an emission of light.
What will students learn? How chemiluminescence can be used to detect air impurities or poisons in the air. How deep sea creatures and bacteria use bioluminescence to communicate. Chemiluminescence can be found everywhere around us, even in light sabers.
Why should students participate? Students will learn how to use their kit to create their own cool blue light through chemical reactions.
What careers might this webinar lead to? Chemists, Pharmaceutical specialists, Laboratory technicians, Biotechnologists.
The Science Behind Theater
Joe Hamilton
What is this webinar about? In theatre and performing arts, the stage is where the performance happen. Scenic technologies, like projectors and stage lights, help transform the scene from a blank canvas to an exciting adventure.
What will students learn? How to create an interactive theatre using optical technology. How math and science are used in staging productions. What does stagecraft mean?
Why should students participate? Students will be able to create their own projectors to transform their space or create large scale scenic backgrounds.
What careers might this webinar lead to? Stage and Production Managers, Technical Director, Light Technician, Production Assistant
Art and Museum Studies
Sarah McCormick
What is it about? Museums and art galleries are a critical part of preserving and displaying our cultural history. Art / Museum Curators are tasked with curating, designing, and arranging galleries.
What will students learn? Students will visit NTID’s Dyer Arts Gallery and learn about Dyer’s operations. What type of work is required to design and put up exhibits? Are curators more artists or event managers?
Why should they participate? Students will be tasked in groups to design and build a sculpture. Flex your creative muscles to create!
What careers might it lead to? Curators, Artists, Project Mangers, Event Managers
Forensic Science
Maya Penn
What is it about? We’ve all seen CSI and movie characters lift fingerprints off surfaces. Forensic science is the analysis of scientific evidence from crime scenes
What will students learn? What is the science behind human fingerprints, and why are no two fingerprints the same? How do forensic scientists work with fingerprints to solve crimes?
Why should they participate? Students will receive a fingerprinting kit, and will learn what the difference is between loops, whorls, and arches.
What careers might it lead to? Forensic Science, Fingerprint Analysis, Crime Scene Technicians, Laboratory Analysts
Architecture
Chris Brucker
What is it about? We are surrounded by buildings. Each and every one of those buildings holds an immense amount of weight- how do they not fall down!? Architecture is the art / science of designing buildings.
What will students learn? What is the process of designing a building? How do architects design blueprints? How do the world’s tallest buildings not fall down?
Why should they participate? Students will receive an architecture / engineering kit to assemble with guidance from our presenter.
What careers might it lead to? Architecture, Civil Engineering, CAD Technicians, Drafters, Surveyors
Innovation
Scot Atkins
What is it about? Look around your house and classroom. How many gadgets or cars are new in the past 20 years? Innovation is one of the cornerstones of our society, and pushes human advancement forwards.
What will students learn? How do innovators ‘innovate?’ How do you develop your short idea into a full-fledged business plan or pitch? Who are some successful Deaf / Hard-of-Hearing innovators?
Why should they participate? Are you considering joining RIT/NTID’s Next Big Idea Competition—High School version or do you aspire to start your own business? Students will receive a kit with relevant materials!
What careers might it lead to? Business, Sales, Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing
Ultrasound and Anatomy
Elizabeth Ayers
What is it about? Curious to see what is inside the human body? Follow along with a sonographer as they identify some of the basic organs visible via ultrasound.
What will students learn? How does ultrasound work? Where do we use ultrasound? Why is a sonographer important and what is their role in keeping us healthy?
Why should they participate? Students will receive a human anatomy model to keep. Refer to this model when studying for your biology quizzes!
What careers might it lead to? Sonographer / Ultrasound Technician, Nurse, MRI/X-Ray/CT Technologist, Nuclear Medicine, Laboratory Technician
Tasting Evolution
Daniel DiMartino / RISE Program
What is it about? Why do we dislike bitter foods? What is taste blindness? How do we utilize laboratory techniques and genetics to assess taste-blindness? This webinar will provide an answer to these questions and more!
What will students learn? PTC (Phenylthiocarbamide) is a chemical, which based on your genes, either tastes very bitter or is tasteless. Students will learn if they are a PTC taster, the basics of the genetics surrounding the topic, and a common laboratory technique utilized to visualize taster and non-taster genetics.
Why should they participate? Students will receive a PTC taster test that will imitate an example of how a scientist might analyze taster genetics. Additionally, students will gain insight into a program offered at RIT that provides STEM-oriented opportunities to deaf and hard-of-hearing scholars.
Script Your Own Superhero
Morpheyes Studio Team
What is this webinar about? Stories are all about connecting with the audience through characters. In this webinar, we will explore how to create a superhero character through storytelling and drawing. Learn about the different roles it takes to create interesting characters and fun stories from scratch, as well as the process to transform the story into a character drawing.
What will students learn? What does the creative design & story development process look like? How do you adapt a textual script to a visual character? What steps or individual jobs are involved in this process? What are some good drawing tips?
Why should students participate? Students will receive color markers, their own script template, & a superhero template. Develop your own story with a superhero to post up on your bedroom wall! Flex your storytelling or drawing skills with this hands-on creative challenge. This challenges the students to think creatively with purpose and intent through entertaining exposure to professional story and character development. They get to be the masters of their own stories-- instead of experiencing someone else’s or having to work on someone else’s vision -- this is practice in creating a story/character of your own making.
What careers might this webinar lead to? Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation, Video Game Design, Storytelling in any form (graphic novels, comics, film, digital, TV, video games, etc.), Filmmaking, Producing, Directing, and Writing.
Exercise Science and Athletics
Skip Flanagan
What is this webinar about? Athletes don’t do it all by themselves. Many individuals are involved in supporting a student athlete’s life, and much science is involved in ensuring the human body is well-trained.
What will students learn? What does exercise science mean? What types of careers can people interested in athletics enter? How does a student athlete balance their time?
Why should students participate? Students will receive resistance bands and basic training on how to utilize the resistance bands. Bring the bands home to stay in shape!
What careers does this webinar relate to? Exercise Science, Athletic Trainers, Personal Trainers, Nutritionists, Sports Management