A new study has shown that a new and unique method is helping children with visual impairments learn STEM. Technology is amazing, and it seems like every day, they are learning more and more about children who live with health issues and how to help them. Children with a visual impairment are often seen as “held back,” that there are just things that they cannot do without being able to see. STEM is one of them. STEM may be thought of as a field that relies on the ability to see, but technology is letting every single child have an opportunity to explore this up-and-coming field of study.

According to PHYS and EurekAlert, a new study is using new models that allow STEM to be accessed by children who suffer from blindness. Visually impaired children make up a large group and 1 million children across the US struggle with eyesight. Since STEM relies on three-dimensional imagery for education, it would seem like these children would not be able to partake in it.

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A study from Baylor University is being described as a “breakthrough” for finding a way to make science more accessible for every child and it is by using small, candy-like models. Bryan Shaw, Ph.D. was the professor behind the study, and his team used millimeter-scale gelatin models to improve the visualization of protein molecules.

These modules were similarly compared to gummy bears, and this model would allow children with visual impairments to use their tongues and lips to “see” the model.

A child using their tongue to see may seem unconventional, but the researchers point out that a person’s tongue is their finest tactile sensor. It is twice as sensitive as our fingertips but is often overlooked because of how much adults rely on their eyesight.

Another benefit of using the tongue to see is that it can get into the grooves of objects much easier than a finger can. This allows the person to see it from every angle and they are letting children visualize them by mouth.

•They tested these models out on 396 participants, 31 of them were children and 365 of them were college students.

•They were all blindfolded during the testing.

•They were given two objects to examine and then asked if they were the same, or different.

•They were able to successfully tell the differences between the models.

This study could be amazing at closing the gap in STEM and allowing every child a chance to do what they love.

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Sources: PHYS, Eureka Alert