Devices

Science Teaching Devices

The teaching of science to totally blind students requires considerable ingenuity by the teacher. A small number of special devices and materials are available, but most often the teacher will have to make or assemble a special rig for the blind student.

Related sections:

Light Probes and Colour Sensors
Rules and Measures
Thermometers and Barometers
Other Measuring Instruments

American Printing House for the Blind
1839 Frankfort Avenue, PO Box 6085, Louisville, Kentucky 40206-0085, USA.
Tel: +1 502 895 2405
Fax: +1 502 899 2274
Email: info@aph.org
Web: www.aph.org/

Basic Tactile Anatomy Atlas
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This two-volume set of thermoformed graphics gives a comprehensive overview of the body and is usable at a wide range of grade levels. Volume I includes illustrations of the skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems. Volume II illustrates the structures of the cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Each tactual diagram has Braille and print labels accompanied by a brief Braille description found on the page facing the illustration. A print version of each Brailled text is contained in the included Instructional Text. Recommended ages: 12 and up.
Ref: 1-08845-00
Price: $114.00
Last updated: 30/03/2007

Brain Quest: Science
Large type/Braille versions available. Includes such subjects as: Planet Earth; The Universe; Plant and Animal Kingdoms; Atoms; The Body and Mind; Life Processes. The large type/Braille edition is geared for the Braille reader and for the sighted peer, teacher, or family member who intends to play the game with the Braille reader. Included with Brain Quest: Science is APH's Score Card Set that consists of two reusable, brightly colored, tactile and audible plastic scorekeeping devices. Recommended ages: 9 years and up.
Ref: 6-17000-00
Price: $75.00
Last updated: 30/03/2007

Periodic Table
Available in a durable and colourful print/braille version. The chart comes with a reference booklet in print and in braille (also available separately) that contains additional tables listing the elements by name, atomic number, electron configurations, etc.
Ref: 1-08855-00
Price: $54.00
Last updated: 25/06/2007

Sense of Science: Animals
Recommended for visually impaired students in grades K-3 and for other students who may benefit from a multisensory approach to learning. Sense of Science Animals activities comply with the National Science Education Standards, especially the three major areas of Life Science Standard C: Understanding the characteristics of organisms. Understanding the life cycle of organisms. Understanding organisms and their environments. Activities incorporate a learning objective, a list of vocabulary and needed materials, an initial inquiry, a step-by-step procedure, an extended activity, a visual adaptation, math and language connections, and a "science tidbit." Activities are also provided using the accompanying overlays. The Sense of Science: Animals kit includes: A large print guidebook (braille edition available separately 5-08990-00) with easy-to-follow activities, a glossary, list of resources, and bibliography of related children's books. The kit contains the following components: A large print guidebook (braille edition available separately 5-08990-00). A variety of visual and tactile overlays that can be used alone or with the APH Light Box or Mini-Lite Box (light boxes sold separately). Two trays that provide a secure working area for using the overlays with a light box. An attractive, durable storage container.
Ref: 1-08990-00
Price: $225.00
Last updated: 25/06/2007

Sense of Science: Plants
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Sense of Science: Plants is the first module of a planned series for teachers wanting to make the "world of science" accessible, understandable, and enjoyable for visually impaired students in grades K- 3, and for other students who may benefit from a multisensory approach to learning. The Sense of Science: Plants kit includes: A large print guidebook (Braille edition available separately) that presents easy-to-follow activities using real objects to teach basic plant concepts; Activities incorporate a learning objective, a list of vocabulary and needed materials, an initial inquiry, a step-by-step procedure, an extended activity, a visual adaptation, math and language connections, and a "science tidbit." Also included are culminating activities, a glossary, a list of resources, bibliographies of related children's books, and activities using the accompanying overlays; A variety of interesting visual and tactile plant and leaf type overlays complement the concepts in the guidebook, including: Bean Seed (Cross-Section); Seedling; Flower; Leaf Types (Margin Types, Vein Types, and Growth Patterns); Leaf; Log Cross-Section; Taproot System; Tree. The plant and leaf type overlays are designed to be used with either the APH Light Box or APH Mini-Lite Box, but can also be used as stand-alone materials. Two accompanying trays that are designed to slip under a light box ledge and provide a secure working area for manipulating the overlays. A durable container that stores the guidebook, the two trays, and all of the provided overlays. Each set of related overlays is housed in a clear protective and labeled pocket folder. Recommended ages: 5 to 10 years.
Ref: 1-08980-00
Price: $130.00
Last updated: 30/03/2007

Tactile Demonstration Thermometer
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The tactile demonstration thermometer allows visually impaired or blind students to conveniently and independently read, set and compare temperatures. Features include: a two-textured, two-coloured adjustable "mercury column" with an easy-grip tactile indicator; comparable fahrenheit and celsius scales presented in both large print and braille on a high-contrast background and distinct tactile degree markings every 5 and 10 degrees.
Ref: 1-03020-00
Price: $44.00
Last updated: 29/08/2006

RNIB
105 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NE, UK.
UK Customer Services Tel: 0845 702 3153
UK Customer Services Email: cservices@rnib.org.uk
Overseas Customer Services Tel: +44 1733 37 5400
Overseas Customer Services Email: exports@rnib.org.uk
Online Shop: www.rnib.org.uk/shop

NB: Some of the RNIB products have two prices where they have been specifically designed or adapted for disabled people. The lower price excludes VAT and applies to blind and partially sighted people resident in the UK and exempt from paying VAT and to UK charities buying on their behalf. Where one price is displayed this applies to all customers and includes VAT of 17.5%.

There is a separate catalogue available for overseas customers. If you have any enquiries, please contact RNIB Exports Department on +44 1733 37 54 00.

Scientific Talking Thermometer
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Designed specifically for use in the classroom. The thermometer's keypad has 5 easy to see and tactile buttons; a green circular ON button, a red square OFF button, orange triangular VOLUME buttons and a black oval TEMPERATURE announcement button. The temperature is spoken in degrees Celsius. Temperature range: minus 15 degrees to plus 115 degrees. The Thermometer has an automatic shut down facility to save the battery. Spare probes are available from RNIB (Ref: LC136).
Length: 190mm Width: 90mm
Ref: LC137
Price: £99.99; £117.49
Last updated: 01/06/2006