August 29, 2019
DES program seeks to expose visually-impaired students to geological science
Bryson, right, identifies topographical layers in a model. Bryson, who is eight years old, participated in this summer’s Discoveries in Earth Science program.
The Discoveries in Earth Science program recently completed its 2019 summer session. The program ran for three weeks in June and July on the ECU campus. This is the first year that ECU has hosted the program.
The goals of the program are to increase competence in science for students with blindness or visual impairment (BVI), develop participants’ skills to independently conduct Earth science activities, assist participants with analyzing scientific data, and prepare participants for the scientific workforce.
To do this, students took part in several activities like identifying rocks, minerals, and fossils, reading topographic maps, measuring water levels in groundwater wells, and measuring and recording water quality parameters.
Students had access to different technology to help them with the activities. To analyze water, they used talking Vernier Lab Pro probes. These probes determine salinity, pH, conductivity, and temperature. Students also used talking timers and magnifying glasses, which they will be able to use in their schools, homes, and communities.
During the three weeks, students also utilized talking calculators, colorinos to determine color, and talking measuring tapes. A few students used Braille to assist with reading topographic maps, water in a graduated cylinder, and labels on specific fossils.
Bryson uses the projector to display the sample he is analyzing as part of his presentation.
The participants even got to meet Jay Mebane, a student attending ECU who is legally blind and who shared his experiences as a K-12 student and college student.
“The most important takeaway, I believe, is for the participants of the DES program to be exposed to geological science and realize each of them can conduct science investigations with assisted technologies or with minimal assistance,” said Rhea Miles, associate professor in the Department of Math, Science and Instructional Technology in the College of Education. “Hopefully, participants will even choose a STEM career to pursue in the future here at ECU.”
The program is sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, Geological Sciences, the College of Education and its MSITE department.