Skynet Junior Scholars:Bringing Astronomy to Deaf and Hard

of Hearing Youth

Connie Gartner - Wisconsin School for the Deaf

Kate Meredith - University of Chicago Yerkes Observatory

The Skynet Robotic Telescope Network

Skynet is a worldwide network of robotic telescopes that can be accessed via the

internet. Image requests, returned images and online image analysis through the

Afterglow software are all part of Skynet.

Skynet Junior Scholars

The SJS Web Portal is a safe online learning environment where students learn the basics of astronomy, record observations in an online notebook and collaborate with peers. Students request images from Skynet and gather data to answer their own questions.

Skynet Junior Scholars

Content videos have limited close captioning

Lack of STEM expertise in DHH teachers

Lack of American Sign Language (ASL) terms for STEM related topics

Limited STEM experience for ASL interpreters

Problem that we sought to address: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students have limited access to Astronomy related materials.

Skynet Junior Scholars

Pilot Study

6 MS aged DHH students from a residential school for the deaf

SJS web portal

Skynet Astronomy curriculum

3 month after school program

Skynet Junior Scholars

Skynet Junior Scholars

Take-away thoughts:

When possible, use ASL interpreters when interacting with DHH students

Use captioned materials

Real world/life experiences enrich all students (DHH students benefit more) ...