Summary

1. Tactile Lunar Phases Observing, predicting, and interpreting the phases of the Moon is an important part of the space science curriculum in grades K-8. These inverse grayscale images taken with the Yerkes rooftop telescopes can be converted into tactile format with thermal expansion machines, and used by blind students in activities that involve observing, predicting, and modeling the lunar cycle. Touch the Universe – A NASA Braille Book of Astronomy Prior to the SEE Project, some of our team developed a Braille astronomy book based on tactile representations of Hubble Space Telescope images. It is available from the National Academy Press web site, amazon.com, and other commercial outlets. Touch the Universe enables blind people to see the universe for the first time through the eyes of the Hubble Space Telescope. It has clearly demonstrated that there is high interest in space science within blind and visually impaired communities. The SEE Project builds upon the experience of Touch the Universe by creating active space science learning opportunities for blind and visually impaired students. Making Astronomy and Space Science Accessible to Blind and Visually Impaired StudentsBernhard Beck-Winchatz (DePaul University), Vivian Hoette (University of Chicago Yerkes Observatory), Noreen Grice (Boston Museum of Science) Summary Blind and visually impaired students are often at a disadvantage when they study science and math because of the ubiquity of important graphical information, which is generally not made available in alternate formats accessible to them. This problem is particularly severe in astronomy and space science because the objects of interest usually cannot be examined in the laboratory, and their properties are difficult to relate to familiar objects on Earth. Like their sighted peers, many blind students in elementary and middle school have a natural interest in space, which can motivate them to learn fundamental quantitative skills. For some this interest can even present a pathway into careers in science, math and engineering. Funded by a IDEAS grant from NASA, the primary goal of The Space Exploration Experience Project for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SEE Project) is to develop and test Braille / tactile inquiry-based hands-on space science activities and observing programs that actively engage blind and visually impaired students from elementary grades through introductory college level in space science. We are in the process of developing an activity kit centered around tactile astronomical images and models. Activities are pilot-tested at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Most materials are available on-line and can be converted into tactile format with low-cost thermal expansion machines. We are also designing a program in tactile observational astronomy at Yerkes Observatory for blind and visually impaired students. Students will take astronomical images with the 24-inch, 10-inch, and 8-inch telescopes at the Observatory, and analyze them in tactile format. Finally, we are exploring the best use of tactile space science images for sighted people with certain learning disabilities, young children, senior citizens, and people with different learning styles during public observing night at the Western Connecticut State University Observatory. Scale Models of Near-Earth Asteroids Tactile Planisphere Planispheres are commonly used in elementary and middle school classrooms. They allow students to identify constellations and observe the effect of Earth’s rotation and orbit around the Sun. We have adapted the Planisphere from “The Universe at your Fingertips” for use by blind students. Stars and constellation patterns are raised. Labels are in Braille. Tactile/Braille diagram of the orbit of near-Earth asteroid Toutatis. We also created a printed version to aid educators who do not read Braille. Some of the drawbacks of two-dimensional tactile graphics can be avoided with three-dimensional models, which allow blind students to perceive spatial structures directly. In recent years rapid prototyping has become essential in helping mechanical engineers quickly produce prototype physical models of new designs directly from digital data. Recently, accurate scale models of near-Earth asteroids have become available. We are developing a set of activities in which students learn fundamental concepts in Earth and space science, including the composition of the solar system, the connection between size, mass, and gravity, the design and use of scale models, the role of meteorite impacts throughout Earth’s history, and the danger impacts may pose in the future. Thermal Paper Expansion Machine A relatively inexpensive and easy way to produce tactile graphics is by using a thermal paper expansion machine. An image is transferred onto thermal expansion paper with a photocopier or a computer printer. When it is passed through the machine dark lines and areas are raised up, and allow blind students to explore the image by touch. The machine pictured above was donated to Yerkes Observatory by the Williams Bay Lions Club for use in the SEE Project. While it is easy to produce tactile images, the issues involved in designing good tactile images can be very complex. Many blind students have little experience interpreting two-dimensional renderings of three-dimensional objects. In addition, the haptic perception of humans is intrinsically less detailed than sight. Thus images have to be kept simple, without compromising important scientific content Summer Programs in Tactile Observational Astronomy As part of the SEE Project, blind and visually impaired students will conduct their own astronomical observations using the 24-inch, 10-inch, and 8-inch telescopes at Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The students will take CCD images and convert them into tactile format with a thermal paper expansion machine. They will then analyze and interpret their images with Braille measuring tools. Possible students projects include creating a lunar calendar, determining the mass of the Jovian planets from the orbits of their moons, monitoring variable stars, and tracking asteroids and comets. 40-inch Refractor 24-inch Reflector Aerial View of Yerkes Observatory Rooftop Telescopes National Federation of the Blind Summer Science Camp Tactile Imaging Thermal paper expansion machines are best suited for images that have sharp borders and other high-contrast features in them. The above composite images of Asteroid 594 Mireille and comet Linear 2002T7 were created with Hands-On Universe (HOU) software.HOU is used as an intermediary software for the development of the tactile images; the HOU curriculum also informs/guides team members in approaches for analysis of images that lead to astronomical understandings. The development of HOU was funded by the National Science Foundation.   The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the largest consumer organization of the blind in the United States. We are working with the NFB on a two-week science camp for middle and high school students, which will take place during the summer of 2004. This program will be one of the first major events at the NFB’s new Research and Training Institute, due to open on January 30, 2004. A major goal of the program is to develop materials and strategies for engaging blind students in science, which can then be exported to other centers and schools for the blind across the country. Adapted SOFIA Active Astronomy Kit All humans are blind in most parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has developed an Active Astronomy Kit with which students can explore invisible infrared light. We have adapted the light detector activity from this kit for blind students. Students learn that just like astronomers extend their senses with detectors to measure light from all parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, they too can access the information carried by light that is invisible to them, for example by using electronic detectors, by “borrowing” a lab partner’s eyes, or by using their sense of hearing or touch.