Educational Programs At SVRC
We offer an exciting range of activities which promote the learning of essential specific skills for students with vision impairments, commonly known as the Expanded Core Curriculum.
Our educational programs are available to eligible students in government and non-government educational settings from preschool to Year 10. Our programs provide students with opportunities to:
build strong peer group networks with other students with vision impairments
participate in recreational and educational experiences that may not be available at their local school
better understand their vision impairment and effective strategies to access and be included in school-based learning
develop social and communication skills to manage the varying demands at school
receive specialised instruction and personalised support from experts in the use of assistive technologies
try something new, explore leadership roles, rise to challenges and have fun!
Our Regular Programs
We run two regular student programs from our centre in Donvale.
Our Support Skills Program is a specialised educational program for groups of students in Years 4 to Year 10 who are blind or have low vision. Students are offered four to eight days per year of timetabled individualised or small-group instruction focused around the Expanded Core Curriculum.
Dot Power is offered to braille-reading students from preschool to Grade 3. The program focuses on braille literacy (reading and writing), tactile graphicacy (using the sense of touch to interpret tactual diagrams) and concept development.
Other Activities
Every year we organise a number of excursions and activities for students and their families. We also support and promote activities suitable for students with vision impairments that are run by other groups.
Excursions and activities are a great opportunity for students to meet others and to try something different, whilst being supported by staff with specialist skills in vision impairment. Over the years, we have held a range of themed days relating to literacy, technology, the arts and sport. We have also conducted or supported a number of camps, including a biennial group of students who attend Space Camp in Huntsville Alabama (USA).
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Space Camp
“Just because I can't see the stars, doesn't mean I can't reach for them” - SCIVIS Alumni
SCIVIS is life changing. Students walk taller, speak more confidently and are known throughout their school as the student who went to NASA astronaut training. It has a profound effect on students’ self-esteem, motivation and careers. They meet like-minded students who face the same daily challenges as themselves but through teamwork and striving to do their best, they thrive and achieve their “mission”. It is not just the STEM, the adventure, but they meet their world-wide family. They come home happier and more content with their life and challenges.
Since 1998, the Department of Education has taken a group of students to the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville Alabama, via Los Angeles. Over 100 students have attended across about 15 trips. There have been some competitive scholarships available from USA Engineering companies and charities which cover the cost or camp and flights. However, it also may be possible for NDIS to fund the camp component (not airfares) as a specialised camp for blind students, as long as they will fund camps that are located overseas. This needs to be explored via your NDIS provider and built into your child’s plan.
The journey to get to Space Camp is as important as the destination. It takes a year to plan and fundraise for SCIVIS. Encourage kids 15 and over to get part time jobs, use Blind Pension for those eligible, rally the family and have an event as every $1 is tax deductible and gets you closer to your goal. Rotary, Freemasons, charity groups are only too happy to help but they will donate hundred or more dollars not thousands. We have connections to many organisations. Earn money doing chores for family and friends as you will need pocket money – maybe it’s time for a garage sale. Plan now as it is a long and slow journey to fundraise, but achievable for everyone. Having funds available earlier in the year allows organisers to get better deals on flights and pay US costs when the Australian/United States dollar has the best conversion rate.
The Department usually involves students in one of two programs
- Space Academy available to students Year 7-12 and is a more hands on program
- Advanced Space Academy which is much more academically challenging and is for Year 10-12. Involves lectures, guest speakers, an extended mission and gravity free experience via scuba for those with medical clearance.
One is not better than the other, they just have a different focus. You will have a fantastic time at either. It is a camp that accommodates all abilities.
There is also Aviation Challenge (Airforce focussed) available at SCIVIS on the same site but access to that would have to be negotiated with the Deparment of Education organisers. Most students have attended the Space themed camps. There is no guarantee you will get into the camp you prefer, especially if you are a scholarship winner as it is dependent on funding scholarship type. Also, there is a limit on numbers in Advanced Space Academy places. Focus on getting a seat in the team and the rest will take care of itself.
More information and links
Some information about Space Camp
Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS) (video) Space Camp and Advanced Space Academy 2004 DET team are seen in this video
Perkins Students Attend Space Camp (video)
Texas School for the Blind Student voices (article)
Key dates
Subject to planning, group decisions, airfare prices and Department approval
Possibly leave Australia around 23rd or 24th September 2023
NASA Space Camp 2023 1-5th October 2023
Usually arrive 30th September and all participants leave 6th October
Graduation Friday 5th October 2023 which is open to parents and friends from 7pm that evening. The museum, 3D theatre, rocket park and theme park is open to the public all day so a good time to do a day trip.
This camp is being organised by SVRC in partnership with North West Victoria Region. We are happy to assist families wherever possible to support their goal if they choose to participate.