Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind Conference on Teaching and Learning Science for Blind and Visually Impaired Students


A father and his daughter participate in a workshop at the ILAB Conference.

The NSF supported Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) at the University of Wisconsin Madison hosted a one of kind conference to support educational opportunities for students who are blind and visually impaired. The Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind Conference on Teaching and Learning Science for Blind and Visually Impaired Students brought together a community of 50 teachers, students, and researchers interested in building self-efficacy and providing opportunities for blind and visually impaired students to pursue careers in science and engineering.

The conference included hands on workshops and talks from teachers of blind and visually impaired students, top researchers on teaching methodologies for blind and visually impaired students, and blind and visually impaired students pursuing degrees in science and engineering. Science topics covered during the conference included: Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Mathematics, and Nanoscience.

Primary Strategic Outcome Goal:

Learning: Cultivate a world-class, broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce, and expand the scientific literacy of all citizens.

Secondary Strategic Outcome Goals:

How does this highlight address the strategic outcome goal(s) as described in the NSF Strategic Plan 2006-2011?

Learning – The ILAB Conference helps to cultivate a world-class broadly inclusive science and engineering workforce.

Learning – The conference helps to build strong foundations and foster innovation to improve K-12 teaching, learning and evaluation in science and mathematics.

Learning – The conference helps to integrate research with education, and build capacity.