Opportunity Available to Become Member of the Student Delegation for Special Olympics Games

April 6, 2010

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Special Olympics is pleased to invite students to apply to attend the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games being held in Lincoln, Nebraska this summer as a member of the Student Delegation to the Games. Special Olympics will select a potential member of the Delegation, based on research interests and/or past experience with the organization. Airfare, lodging, and meals for all members of the Student Delegation will be paid for by Special Olympics. Applications must be received by April 12th, 2010.

Since its inception, the Research and Evaluation department of Special Olympics (SO), has aimed to engage the next generation of researchers. Through its student grants program and through student delegations to major Games and SO-hosted conferences, Special Olympics has supported student development, influenced attitudes of young professionals about intellectual disability (ID), and raised awareness about the role of SO as a potential research partner. Special Olympics Delegations to the 2006 USA National Games in Ames, Iowa, the 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, and the 2009 World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho were exposed to the power of the Games, challenged by research and policy discussions, and informed and inspired to heighten their engagement with people with ID and with Special Olympics. In keeping with this tradition, a student delegation will again be convened at the 2010 USA National Games in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Goals

Expose students to the National Games experience and the full range of SO programming, including research and evaluation activities and funding opportunities;
Engage students in Special Olympics after they return home;
Gather input from students about what they feel is needed to draw in and maintain new scholars to the field and to engage them in research with SO;
Create a network of students who are becoming involved with the field (enabling them to build ties with one another).

Description of Role

Student delegates will be present in Nebraska from July 16-22, 2010. During this time, they will engage in a variety of types of activities:

Didactic Learning: Training sessions providing background information on SO programming, as well as on the SO research agenda and on research opportunities for students. Learning will also take place through attendance at educational sessions taking place at the Games for youth, family members, and policy makers.
Experiential Learning: Opportunities to witness the wide range of programming of SO by attending Opening Ceremonies, Healthy Athletes, Young Athletes, Families activities, and sports competitions;
Collective Learning and Networking: Sessions focused on building relationships among members of the Student Delegation and learning from delegates about how SO can support the next generation of scholars. Sessions will include a focus group on what is needed to engage and support early career academics in the field, as well as presentations from student delegates on their own research;
Post Games Learning: Students Delegation members will agree to engage in a small SO-related project upon returning home. Some examples include: providing expertise to an ongoing Special Olympics evaluation taking place in student's home state, serving as a reviewer on student grant applications for one year, or providing ongoing consultation to Special Olympics around programs to engage early career professionals in the field. Individual projects will be customized to the student's area of expertise and will be developed with the student.

Requirements

Current PhD student (or < 1 year post-doctorate and in a post-doctorate student position)
Available to be in Nebraska from July 16-22, 2010
Background/research focus in ID/DD
Able to complete a small project (20 hours) with Special Olympics after the Games

Submission