Astronomy Reveals Its Secrets for Children with Visual Impairments

On December 4, 2023, at the headquarters of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy in Bucharest, an educational activity was held for children with visual impairments. The event was organized by the Astronomical Institute in collaboration with the "Space Club" astronomy club of the Romanian Army's Space and Telecommunications Agency, with the support of military personnel and their logistics. The event was honored by the special participation of Major Emily Trop from the Embassy of the United States of America.

"Emotion" and "joy" are the words that best describe the encounter with astronomy for children with visual impairments, through the use of thermoformed 2D pages, numerous 3D prints of mini celestial domes and constellations arranged in relief on these models, and miniature mechanical planetariums that provided tactile support. Additionally, during the event, the planets of our Solar System "miraculously" aligned on a string that was moved through the educational space of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, studied inch by inch by the curious little hands. The scale-reduced 3D prints of asteroids, created from accurate 3D scans of these celestial bodies, enriched the educational tools of the activity. Warmly welcomed by the exceptionally dedicated coordinators of the event – Dipl. Eng. Andra Stoica, Diana Chiriță, and Col. Georgian Tudor – the dozens of participants had the chance to enter, one by one, the planetarium for the visually impaired, located within the educational spaces of the Astronomical Institute. This semi-sphere had a tactile arrangement inside, representing some of the main constellations.

Throughout the event, the personnel of the Romanian Army from the "Space Club" – 2nd Lt. Bogdan Daniliuc, Chief Petty Officer Alexandra Bogoiu, Sgt. Sergiu Zîrnovean, and Asp. Cătălina Pop – as well as the dedicated volunteers Corina and Suzana Păcală, Adrian Neaga, Cosmin Șulea, and Petrișor Munteanu, provided a multitude of information every hour, which was received with great interest by the children.

The pedagogical team for the event was reinforced by the representative of the Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, Sorin Marin.

The message and, at the same time, the promise of the event organizers is that we will dedicate our work and energy so that, in our Motherland, Romania, everyone can reach the stars.

Published on: Dec 08, 2023