An Outdoor Project-Based Learning Program: Strategic Support and the Roles of Students with Visual Impairments Interested in STEM

Garrison Tsinajinie, Sevgi Kirboyun, Sunggye Hong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

A qualitative study was conducted to understand how middle and high school students with visual impairments (VI) engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The Readiness Academy, a Project-Based Learning (PBL) intervention, was designed to provide a week-long, immersive, outdoor, and inquiry-based science education program to students with VI. We analyzed 187 photographs, camp associate intern notes, and researcher memos first using emotion coding, followed by process coding to structure initial codes and categories into seven research activities. We used axial coding as a secondary cycle coding method to determine four consistent themes across all research activities: apprenticeship, collaboration, accessibility, and independence. We found that the inclusion of purposeful accessibility, such as assistive technology and multisensory experiences, supported how students with VI engaged in STEM education. The findings reflect how students dynamically fulfilled roles as apprentices, collaborative members, and independent researchers within the program’s context of PBL and outdoor science education.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)74-86
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Science Education and Technology
Volume30
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Accessibility
  • Blind
  • Inclusive education
  • Middle and high school science
  • Project-based learning
  • Visual impairment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • General Engineering

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