Session 4 – ORALS

Astrophysics tools are mostly visual, despite studies showing that multimodal approaches can enhance data analysis possibilities. In addition, multimodal tools broaden accessibility to scientific data for those with varying learning styles and disabilities. SonoUno software is
a sonification tool that uses data sonification in conjunction with visual display of scientific data. Its development has been motivated by the desire to bring multimodal access to astrophysical data to all people, irrespective or their performance styles or functional diversity. This digital interface also allows people with different learning styles and multiplicity of disabilities to succeed in their transitions through performance aspects.
SonoUno has been designed to be user centred, allowing users to import data, plot, sonify and mark points of interest, with several options available on the sound parameters and plot styles. The plot, sound, marks and plotted data can be saved and, moreover, the software allows to script functionalities without the need to change views, avoiding pop-ups. Regarding the sonification side of this software, the sound can be customised on-the-fly so the user can make the most of the data sonification.
With the first software approach based on theoretical framework and ISO standard 9241-171:2008, we present in this contribution some user case studies and consequent corresponding software updates. The participants involved were Astrophysicists and Physicists, including those working not only with photons but also with particles and gravitational waves. We use email communication, a survey and video calls if needed, to be in contact with participants and solve issues that emerge. The most important result is a real user-centred software, responding whenever possible to the user’s needs on astrophysical data analysis.

Astronomy is often thought of as a visual science. The public imagines stargazers scouring the night sky with their telescopes when in reality, astronomers heavily rely on non-visual means of studying the cosmos. In fact, over 95% of the Universe is invisible to the human eye. If the investigation of our Universe does not rely on sight, then why limit space science outreach to visual means? This session will cover the latest developments in the new and exciting world of accessible space outreach. From 3D-printing galaxies for blind and vision impaired (BVI) students using Hubble Space Telescope data to inclusive virtual space science webinars, this talk will showcase ideas and resources applicable to any astronomy professional who wishes to further their knowledge on inclusion.
Participants will be invited to critically evaluate the accessibility of their own work or academic environments and will be challenged to develop inclusive astronomy outreach approaches.
This session will showcase the ongoing work of the SciAccess Initiative, an international effort dedicated to promoting disability inclusion in STEM. It will share the results of SciAccess 2020, a virtual conference which took place on June 29, bringing together 555 people from all 7 continents. Participants will learn about upcoming SciAccess events and will be invited to join the SciAccess Working Group, providing them with an opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about STEM inclusion. This session will also showcase The Ohio State University and Ohio State School for the Blind Space Science Mentorship Program, a new, completely virtual program that provides BVI high school students with personal astronomy mentors and engages them in citizen science using sonified data. Attendees will leave this session with techniques, guidance, and ideas on how they can conduct outreach and mentorship efforts that promote astronomy accessibility within their own communities.

During this presentation we intend to share with the participants a framework that is being developed with the aim of supporting schools to bring a more holistic view to education within the school and local community. The framework is composed of a self-reflection tool for schools, that helps school head identify the specific needs of their school community in general and to establish a development plan for the whole institution taking into account each individual. The implementation is heavily based on the use of Design Thinking and the Universal Design for Learning associated with an important component of Professional Development. Teachers will work with their students and engage the whole local community in projects related to space exploration and astronomy research among other important topics. Social and cultural aspects, gender balance and other important community and individual characteristics are at the heart of this project.

Research methodology in education is essential, we can introduce objects coming from space in our classroom, and find them in an easy way. In this project, I present an easy way to teach physics and chemistry in high schools with micrometeorites. Students will have to find micrometeorites in their region, classify them and make relations between the quantity and where they come from. To create an effective learning experience, students need to use different skills as:
– Making working relations ships and positives experiences.
– How to use digital tools in an autonomous way.
– Identify objects that come from space.
– Distinguish physics and chemistry process doing easy experiences with different substances.
Based in stardust project, by J. Larsen, the different activities will contribute to create a micrometeorite collection. With the experimental process, student only with a magnet and an usb microscope can find micrometeorites candidates.
It is a STEM project, starting with a history research about important micrometeorites in history, and then looking for meteorites in our country and what happen when they arrived to earth surface. Then we will take a look into comics, movies and how they use and talk about meteorites. We will make a poster about meteorites, and then arrive to micrometeorites.
Micrometeorites are chondritic, so we will can analice the chemical composition. Another important question must be why micrometeorites fall on earth, and why they are almost spherical, so we will talk about gravity and friction in our atmosphere, so Newton´s laws.
The final product of the learning process will be a video explaining all the process and the micrometeorites collection. This will bring our students to the maximum learning level in Bloom taxonomy: create.
The research methodology in classroom is essential to teach science, and can bring astronomy to our classrooms.