This summer, NTID’s NRSC team expanded STEM learning opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students through a series of outreach programs across the country. From early June through mid-July, students in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Alabama took part in hands-on activities designed to build curiosity, confidence, and practical skills in science, engineering, computing, and problem-solving.

The summer began June 1–5 at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in Phoenix, Arizona, where eight students from across the state participated in a STEM Summer Program. Trisha Gard-Thompson led an engineering car activity in which students learned how to build and program robot cars, while Viet Le guided students through a variety of science activities that introduced them to key scientific concepts through exploration and experimentation.

The following week, June 7–13, the STEM Summer Program continued at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, serving 27 students from across Nevada. Students again engaged in robot car engineering with Trisha Gard-Thompson and participated in hands-on science activities led by Viet Le, giving them opportunities to apply STEM concepts in interactive and accessible ways.

In July, NRSC programming shifted to the Youth Leadership Camp in Stayton, Oregon, where 64 students from across the country participated in a wilderness survival STEM activity July 10–12. Led by David Monahan, the session challenged students to think creatively and practically about how existing materials in the wilderness can be used for survival, encouraging resourcefulness, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Summer outreach continued July 15–17 at the STEM Academy Program in Decatur, Alabama, where 28 students from southeastern states took part in an unplugged computing activity led by Kelly Thornton. Students explored the fundamentals of coding without relying on computers, learning how basic computing concepts connect to everyday life and decision-making.

Together, these programs reached 127 students and reflected NTID’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to STEM education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students nationwide. Through engaging, hands-on instruction, students were able to explore new fields, strengthen their problem-solving skills, and see themselves as future engineers, scientists, technologists, and innovators.