Download The SEE (Space Exploration Experience for the Blind and Visually

The SEE (Space Exploration Experience for
the Blind and Visually Impaired) Project:
An Example of Making Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM) Accessible
Noreen Grice, You Can Do Astronomy LLC
Dennis Dawson, Western Connecticut State University
Vivian Hoette, Yerkes Observatory
Mark Riccobono, National Federation of the Blind
Bernhard Beck-Winchatz, DePaul NASA Center
Ben Wentworth, Tactile Learning Adventures
Michaela Winchatz, DePaul University
Lindy Walton, Madison Metropolitan School District
The SEE Project was funded by a
multi-year NASA IDEAS grant.
Principal Investigator: Bernhard Beck-Winchatz, DePaul NASA Center
Co-Investigator: Noreen Grice, You Can Do Astronomy LLC
SEE Project goals:
• Develop and test Braille/tactile inquiry-based,
hands-on science activities and programs
that “actively” engage blind and visually
impaired students.
• Explore how tactile images can be used with
the sighted public at observatory open nights.
Swell Form Machine
• Tactile images were designed on computer,
photocopied on micro-capsule paper, and run
through a swell form machine.
Testing tactile images at Western
Connecticut State University
Planetarium & Observatory
WCSU Planetarium
• Sighted visitors touched tactile images
of star patterns during planetarium
shows and and completed a survey.
WCSU Observatory
• Sighted visitors touched tactile images while
viewing objects through the telescope. They
completed a survey about their experience.
Value of Touching Raised Images
33
35
31
22
35
8
30
0
25
0
Frequency
0
0
20
0
15
10
0
5
0
0
-4
0
0
0
-3
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
5 0
8
0
2
2
0
1
12
5
6
5 0
2
3
5
Difference (D - A)
All Groups
1
0
9
36 to 50
2
26 to 35
0
2
4
2
51 to 75
0
1
10 3
6
0
6
9 5 12
1
5 0
4
0
-1
4
3
1
-2
11
3
0
18 to 25
13 to 17
4 to 12
4
Age Group
SEE Project:
Yerkes Summer Programs
• Blind and visually impaired
students researched
astronomical topics with
educators and scientists.
• The students operated
telescopes to capture data
(using JAWS and Zoom Text
accessibility software).
• They presented their
research to the Williams
Bay Lions Club.
Mark Riccobono
(National Federation of the Blind)
“There is currently a great discrepancy between
educational practices that needlessly limit blind
students and their actual potential to function
well in scientific fields.
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Jernigan Institute established the National
Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS) with
a centralized clearinghouse of information and
resources related to the blind and STEM.”
http://www.blindscience.org
And now…..a sample of the
SEE Project activities for you to try…!
Tactile Star Wheels
• This simple planisphere is a tactile star wheel and
tactile star wheel holder.
• Each star pattern has a corresponding number to a
code sheet. (There is not enough room for Braille
words near the star patterns)
Tracking Sunspots
• Using 13 images of the Sun, students track the
progression of sunspots from their coordinates,
• determine the daily movement of each sunspot,
• and calculate the sun’s average rate of rotation.
Investigating Variable Stars
• Students interpolate the magnitude of a
tactile variable star over 12 nights,
• graph the star’s light curve,
• and determine the period of the star.
The Phases of the Moon
• Students arrange tactile moon phase cards in
a sequence that makes sense,
• identify the names of the moon phases,
• and learn where the moon is at each phase.
Simulating
The Phases of the Moon
• Make a tactile
moon ball, find
some jingle
bells, and
three students
can simulate
the phases of
the moon!
Additional materials are available for
download on the
Project SEE homepage:
http://analyzer.depaul.edu/SEE_Project