LIGHTING THE FIRE: ACCESSIBILITY IN THE MODERN SCIENCE CLASSROOM

2025 POSB STEM Institute

April 8-10

Adeyanju Okungbowa

Session Objectives

The participants will be able to

a. Describe benefits of accessible science education

b. Identify resources and suppliers with accessible equipment (include Foundation and community)

c. Successfully redesign science activities appropriately for VI population

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• Getting Started Responses
• The Importance of Making Science Accessible
• The Process of Building a Blind and VI accessible Science Laboratory with Q & A
• Resources
• Let’s Light it Up!
• Q & A

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Getting Started

It is important that science content be made accessible for Blind and Visually impaired individuals.

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• If you have worked at making science accessible for students in the classroom, what specific science tools/company products have you used?

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2. Are there any products that you

recommend itinerant teachers request from

their districts? *Tool Box Essentials*

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Our WHY?

Experiencing science activities vicariously with assistance from a sighted person does not generate motivation and interest in science (Supalo & Wohlers, 2011).

Why Accessible Science?

• Student curiosity
• Development of normative science process skills
• Student confidence and independence
• Lab sciences for college admission
• Earlier science experiences
• STEM career options

Next Generation Science Standards

• 4-PS3-1. Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.

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• MS-ESS1-3. Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.

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SC Science Standards

• K-PS2-2. Analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.

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• C-PS1-7. Use mathematical representations to support the claim that atoms, and therefore mass, are conserved during a chemical reaction.

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Scientific and Engineering Practices

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

2. Developing and using models

3. Planning and carrying out investigations

4. Analyzing and interpreting data

5. Using mathematics and computational thinking

6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

7. Engaging in argument from evidence

8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Building the Lab (video clip)

• Request (Using our why to support our request)
• Foundation
• Community Involvement
• Intentional Design
• Logistics
• Purchasing
• Difficulties

Resources

• Laboratory Demonstration Table: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/forward-vision-i-workstation-door-drawer-cabinet-4/S37925
• Laboratory Tables: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/wood-science-lab-table-58/S83633
• Laboratory Chairs: https://www.schooloutfitters.com/catalog/product_info/pfam_id/PFAM49943/products_id/PRO66465
• Vessel gripping device: https://www.flinnsci.com/hot-vessel-gripping-device/se039/

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Resources

• Emergency Shower and Eye Wash Station: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/haws-emergency-shower-eye-face-wash-stations-2/171611C?keyword=true
• Chemical Storage Chart: https://www.flinnsci.com/chart-chemical-storage-patterns/se1074/
• Laboratory Signs:
• https://www.flinnsci.com/safety-first-sign---safety-shower-and-eyewash-station-10-x-14/se1908/
• https://www.flinnsci.com/fire-blanket-sign-3-12-x-14/se331/

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Resources

• Nitrile Gloves: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/ansell-touchntuff-nonsterile-nitrile-gloves-4/19823523#?keyword=cleaning%20gloves

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• Glass Disposal Container: https://www.flinnsci.com/glass-disposal-container-benchtop-model/ap8829/

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Resources

• Accessible Compound Microscope: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/led-microscope-8-in-tablet/S01440
• Color Detector: https://www.maxiaids.com/product/the-talking-color-detector
• Pipet Controller: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/pipet-controller/FB14955202#?keyword=

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Resources

• Talking Jug/Beaker: https://www.maxiaids.com/product/talking-liquid-jug
• Bins for Student Supplies
• Trundle Wheel: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/trundle-wheel-counter/S94235
• Talking Countdown Timer: https://www.fishersci.com/shop/products/fisherbrand-traceable-talking-countdown-timer/1464835#?keyword=talking

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Resources

• Level indicator: https://www.maxiaids.com/product/say-when-liquid-level-indicator
• Talking Labquest 2: https://independencescience.com/product/sci-voice-talking-labquest-2/
• Talking Thermometer: https://independentliving.com/talking-digital-cooking-all-purpose-thermometer/

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Resources- Curriculum Bundles

• Matter: https://www.carolina.com/inquiries-in-science-chemistry/inquiries-in-science-matter-lab-package/251301.pr
• Acids and Bases/Reaction: https://www.carolina.com/acid-base-reactions/carolina-chemistry-topic-bundles-acids-bases-and-ph/840862.pr
• Introduction to Waves: https://www.carolina.com/physical-science-waves-and-sound/carolina-introduction-to-waves-kit/754086.pr?catId=&mCat=&sCat=

LET’S LIGHT IT UP! �

1. Redesigning Science Labs

2. Discussion

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS��

Compound Light Microscope

References

• Supalo, Cary A.; Wohlers, H. David; and Humphrey, Jennifer R. (2011) "Students with Blindness Explore Chemistry at ‘Camp Can Do’," Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities: Vol. 15 : Iss. 1, Article 2.