The St. Louis Public School District has been awarded a
grant valued at $10,900 from the Innovative Technology Education Fund to provide iPads in six self-contained autism classrooms serving students in grades 9-12 at Gateway Institute of Technology High School.
Known as the Learning and Communicating Using iPads Project, the District will incorporate the iPads into instructional learning by utilizing applications recommended by Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, and by providing two full days of technical training for teachers and paraprofessionals by Apple, the creator of the iPad.
“Gateway has worked extremely hard to develop a state-of-the-art academic program to meet the varying needs of students on the autism spectrum. The iPads will aid in lesson comprehension, but more importantly they will provide communication and behavior support so that students can learn to effectively communicate and socialize with their families and classmates,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bender, principal at Gateway Institute of Technology.
Featured as a “miracle device” for autistic children by CBS News 60 Minutes, and Fox News, the iPad is an extremely flexible and mobile teaching tool that readily incorporates research-based effective strategies for teaching students with autism, including visual presentation, predictability, immediate positive consequences, high-interest lessons and video modeling.
Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, meet the wonderful bird ambassadors of the World Bird Sanctuary up close and much more.
Families are invited to the Saint Louis Art Museum on Sunday afternoon to participate in free hands-on art activities with fun themes and to explore the galleries. Each Family Sunday focuses on a different family-friendly theme.
The Preschool Science Series is an open exploration learning lab for young scientists, ages 18 months to 5 years and their families. Activities are designed around research that shows children learn best through play, inquiry and shared experiences with their parents and caregivers.
Spider-Man is having a birthday party at MADE for Kids and all young superheroes are invited! Visit MADE for Kids and meet Spider-Man and his superhero friends!
See the Purina Incredible Dog Team perform extraordinary feats of athleticism and skill right here in St. Louis at Union Station this summer! Free performances are happening Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Union Station's Performance Plaza in front of the St. Louis Wheel.