Discoveries in Earth Science for Middle and High School Students with Blindness or Visual Impairments Grant uri icon

abstract

  • The proposed project will enable middle and high school students (grades 6 to12) with blindness or visual impairments (BVI) in eastern North Carolina to participate in creative, hands-on activities in earth sciences. The participants will use resources and adaptive tools to identify geologic specimens and materials, recognize geologic and geomorphological features, reconstruct geologic history, read simple geologic maps, determine physical properties of geologic materials, and measure and record water quantity and quality parameters. Exposure to these activities will not only improve students' competence in science, but also nurture students' enthusiasm and confidence to conduct scientific investigations. The DES project will work with this marginalized population to provide them opportunities to independently conduct science investigations in the earth sciences Successful implementation of the proposed project will broaden the appeal of Earth Science for middle and high school students with BVI, and prepare these students for the scientific workforce. According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), 10% of the STEM professionals have reported disabilities, and fewer persons in the STEM workforce are blind or visually impaired (NSF, 2014). Very few persons with BVI in the US are pursuing a career in a field related to earth or geological science. The Discoveries in Earth science program proposes to increase awareness and interest of students with BVI in earth science and motivate them to want to pursue a career in the field of geological sciences.

date/time interval

  • February 2019 - April 2025