Teaching nanoscience to the blind and visually impaired

CHED 1577

Andrew E. Greenberg, greenberg@chem.wisc.edu, Department of Chemistry and Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave, Madison, WI 53706, Mohammed Farhoud, Center for Biology Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Lisa Goetter, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Nanoscience and nanotechnology provide an excellent opportunity to teach science to the blind and visually impaired. Scanning probe microscopes used to “see” at the nanoscale convert data taken from a probe interacting with a surface at the nanoscale into a visual image. This talk will highlight efforts of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) to develop a methodology to print 3-D tactile models of the data taken by scanning probe microscopes. These 3-D models will allow blind and visually impaired students to learn tactilely about surfaces and structures at the nanoscale. The NSEC is also working with Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind (ILAB) program to develop and adapt current nanoscience curriculum for blind and visually impaired students. The process of how to adapt current nanoscience experiments for use with adaptive technologies will also be presented.
 

Teaching Chemistry to the Visually Impaired
8:30 AM-12:15 PM, Tuesday, March 27, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N227A, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007