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Sense of Science: Astronomy
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Sense of Science: Astronomy(Continuing) Purpose To develop a set of materials for blind and low vision students in grades K-3 that promote active, hands-on learning activities emphasizing basic concepts related to astronomy. This is the third module of a planned series. 
Project Staff Karen Poppe, Project Leader/Author/Tactile and Visual Overlay Designer Tom Poppe, Pattern and Model Maker/Tactile and Visual Overlay Designer Terri Gilmore, Print Material Layout Rosanne Hoffmann, Research Assistant David McGee, Manufacturing Specialist Helen Kielkopf, Astronomy Instructor/Consultant Bisig Impact Group, Guidebook Layout Background Sense of Science: Astronomy is the third module of a planned series intended to make the “world of science” accessible to young students with visual impairments. This new set of science materials will resemble in both content and design the introductory life science modules, Sense of Science: Plants and Sense of Science: Animals, by incorporating both fun-filled, hands-on activities and tactile/visual overlays for use with APH light boxes. Initial development tasks included investigating and purchasing existing, commercially-available educational materials related to astronomy. Concurrently, lists of helpful, student-targeted Web sites and children’s literature related to planets, galaxies, space exploration, etc., were compiled by the project staff. In September 2002 the product idea was presented to the Product Evaluation Team (PET) and the Product Advisory and Review Committee (PARC) and received approval from both. Extensive product development throughout both FY 2005 and FY 2006 was limited due to the project leader’s involvement on other products of higher priority. However, some writing of content material continued, and more thought was given to possible overlay depictions, as well as actual preparation of tactile masters (e.g., moon phases, cross-section of the Sun). The project leader explored inclusion of 3-dimensional models that would assist the young student in understanding many of the abstract concepts encountered in astronomy. The project leader also kept up-to-date with the print/tactile astronomy books (e.g., Touch the Universe, Touch the Stars) published by the National Federation of the Blind in order to prevent duplication of effort or design. APH's astronomy module is designed with a younger audience in mind, incorporating more interactive, tactile components. Efforts throughout FY 2007 focused on the continuation and more consistent development of the prototype components. Significant strides were made, especially in the creation of more than a dozen visual/tactile overlays and materials. By the end of August, thermoformed parts of the tactile images were readied; from these first-off parts, the project leader began to prepare print counterparts. Other prototype tasks involved the origination and authoring of complementary activities that referenced the use of the tactile/print overlays. Other materials, such as the Quick Fact Cards and electronic Astronomy Worksheets were refined. Additional input regarding needed overlays, as well as initial editing of some of the written activities, was garnered from a very creative, experienced teacher of the visually impaired. During the first quarter of FY 2008, extensive prototype development of Sense of Science: Astronomy continued and was finalized. In February 2008, prototypes were mailed to evaluators located through a Field Evaluator Survey posted in an issue of the APH Newsletter. The evaluators were given until mid-May to use the prototype with as many students as possible. The prototype was reviewed by 10 teachers representing the states of Texas (2), Ohio, Connecticut, Georgia, West Virginia, Idaho, Kentucky, Florida, and Louisiana. A total of 85 students were involved in the field testing. One hundred percent of 100% the teachers indicated that Sense of Science: Astronomy offered specific advantages over other available materials that they have used in the past with their students to teach astronomy. Specific comments included the following: “No other commercial product has ever given them such great overlays and tactile overlays.” “These are time-consuming and the ones I make are not as accurate or as durable. There is just enough time in the year to get overlays this beautiful and they are not all in the text braille books.” “What an advantage having ready-made tactile graphics. They save time.” “I haven’t seen anything that even comes close.” “Benefit to both sighted, low vision, and blind students.” The kit’s overall strengths as noted by the evaluators included the following: “tactile overlays;” “graphics are very stimulating;” “materials are arranged and contained well;” “the provision of basic, yet standard, information on the Quick Fact Cards;” “portability and ease of set up;” “durable, accurate, and accessible;” “easy to understand for teachers of all grade levels;” “bridges the concepts to a tactile picture;” “depicts items that have always been just explained;” “opened my eyes to what the student actually knew about astronomy;” “labeling is clear, concise, and print and braille; “great lesson plans;” “brailled worksheets that were laminated.” In June 2008, the project leader reconvened the Product Development Committee (PDC) and furnished them with an outline of the expected components of the kit. A complete timeline was established. Work during FY 2009 On October 3, 2009, the Educational Product and Advisory Committee (EPAC) gave Quota approval for Sense of Science: Astronomy. Extensive and continuous effort was devoted to the tooling of this project throughout the fiscal year, primarily by the project leader and the Pattern/Model Maker. Major accomplishments by these two project staff members included the following:
Work Planned for FY 2010 The first and second quarters of FY 2010 will be committed to the completion and readying of final tooling for the initial production of the Sense of Science: Astronomy. If no unexpected delays are encountered, the kit will be available before the first of the 2010-2011 school year. Yüklə 1,48 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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