Vista Voyagers builds character, confidence, and independence in students through educational and fun community events. This is a great way to meet other students and families in our Vista community! All events are focused on the Expanded Core Curriculum.
🧪 💎STEM⚡4ALL 💎 🧪
A hands-on, inclusive STEM 4 ALL experience where visually impaired students and sighted buddies learn, build, and innovate together.
Program Overview:
The Vista Voyagers are partnering up with Sparklez to host an interactive STEM workshop using Micro:bit technology. Each student will buddy up with a sighted peer volunteer to collaboratively design, build, and test a fun STEM challenge, promoting inclusion, confidence, and teamwork. This program intentionally integrates Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) skills through hands-on learning and real-world collaboration.
What Students Will Do
✔ Explore Micro:bit using accessible programming tools
✔ Build a simple interactive project (lights, sounds, sensors)
✔ Practice teamwork through guided buddy collaboration
✔ Solve problems together through creativity and communication
✔ Celebrate learning, confidence, and innovation
ECC Skills Embedded Throughout the Session
1. Self-Determination
- Students make choices about their project design
- Encourage goal-setting (“What do you want your project to do?”)
- Students take leadership roles within their buddy team
- Builds confidence, independence, and decision-making
2. Social Interaction Skills
- Structured buddy collaboration with clear shared roles
- Guided communication prompts and teamwork challenges
- Practicing asking for help, giving feedback, and celebrating success
- Builds peer connection and inclusive collaboration
3. Assistive Technology Skills
- Use of accessible coding platforms and tactile exploration
- Learning how Micro:bit supports multiple input/output formats (sound, light, buttons)
- Exposure to technology as a tool for independence and creativity
- Reinforces confidence using technology in everyday learning
Why This Program Matters
- Makes STEM accessible and inclusive
- Builds confidence beyond academics
- Encourages empathy, leadership, collaboration & teamwork
- Shows that innovation belongs to everyone
About Sparklez
Sparklez is a youth-led nonprofit founded by Myra Saxena, dedicated to empowering kids through STEM, entrepreneurship, leadership, and kindness — creating meaningful opportunities where every child can shine.
Program Details
📍 Where: San Jose Vista Center
101 N. Bascom Ave. San Jose, CA. 95128
🗓️ When: Saturday, May 23rd
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
❔Questions: Email rlynn@vistacenter.org
‼️Register below before May 18th‼️