Reach for the Stars (Planetarium for the Blind)

Although several efforts are being implemented to support teaching strategies of STEM subjects to visually impaired in the Philippines, there is still a limited astronomy resources for the students as per interview with the Resources for the Blind, Inc. Some of the astronomy resources include tactile solar system with labels engraved on swell paper which cost over 20 dollars each. As of the moment, there is also a limited materials for the visually impaired in the museums and planetariums in the Philippines. This project aims to create an alternative resource material for teaching astronomy among students with visual impairment. This resource material is a tactile planetarium that looks like an umbrella. The half dome simulates the night sky by having the constellations embossed on the underside of the dome. The students will then be able to reach and touch the embossed constellations. The embossed constellations will also have labels in braille so the students will be able to identify the names of the constellations. The half-dome can be adjusted depending on the height of the student. Each 1.5 meter umbrella-planetarium will be composed of different constellations/ star patterns depending on their constellation families. Each umbrella-planetarium will have a removable stand so that it can be transported easily. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1S7Sv9E7gM0FEcrbtCn0nxErFw0Y7NmBH

Location

Philippines

Year

2019

Tags

inclusion

Tactile Resources

Visually Impaired