Accessibility in Astronomy Education

October 1, 2024

The Giant Magellan Telescope headquartered in Pasadena, California has announced the launch of its new education program, Universo Expansivo, aimed at increasing accessibility in astronomy education. This initiative is particularly focused on students with vision loss, providing them with tactile astronomy kits and comprehensive lesson plans.

The materials for Universo Expansivo were developed in collaboration with Parque Explora in Colombia and Red Aprender in Chile. Following a successful pilot phase with six community organizations across Chile and the United States, GMT now welcomes educators and the public to utilize the initiative’s free resources in both countries.

The program was developed in both English and Spanish to ensure flexibility across various educational settings, including formal and informal learning environments. The tactile kit, designed by Parque Explora with the support of the International Astronomical Union, allows students to explore astronomy concepts such as the scale and relative distances of celestial bodies through tactile materials. The accompanying manual of lesson plans, created by Red Aprender, engages students in learning about astronomical phenomena through auditory, kinesthetic, tactile, and multisensory activities.

Francisca Schweitzer, Executive Director of Red Aprender, expressed pride in the creation of the teaching manual for Universo Expansivo. She emphasized the importance of inclusion and accessibility in education, stating, "Everyone needs adaptations — there is no ‘average’ human being. Embracing the creation of diverse learning experiences opens new mental pathways, making it a journey that fosters learning and sparks curiosity in everyone."

The Giant Magellan Telescope welcomes new partners and communities interested in engaging with Universo Expansivo at Universoexpansivo.org.

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