Imagine attending a school where every detail is meticulously planned to ensure that every learner, regardless of their abilities, feels welcomed and included.
This was the order of the day during a school outreach programme for partially sighted and blind learners in Pietermaritzburg on 26 April 2024, where the power of sensory experiences transformed the way education is perceived.
During this workshop, learners of various ages delved into the captivating world of palaeontology through engaging activities. From crafting fossils with plaster of paris to creating casts, participants gained a hands-on understanding of this fascinating field. Ms Aphiwe Mkhize, a grade 7 learner at Arthur Blaxall School, shared her excitement, highlighting how making casts brought the concept of fossils to life for her.
In the session, Ms Olivia Smith, a science educator for special needs and a Head of Department, said, ‘Societies prevent kids from pursuing careers in science because of their visual impairments. However, UKZN’s Science and Technology Education Centre (STEC) reached out to students with special needs which made the learners enjoy the workshop and they were excited.’
Another innovative aspect of the workshop was the inclusion of Braille labels on the casts, significantly enhancing the learning experience for blind participants like Ms Noluthando Ndlovu. With tactile aids and descriptive labels, Ndlovu expressed feeling empowered to grasp the details of fossils and their formation.
Reflecting on their experience, other seventh-graders, Lungelo Mkhize, Aphiwe Jali, Siyamthanda Mweli, and Nomzamo Mdlalose expressed a newfound fascination with palaeontology, acknowledging the workshop’s role in broadening their understanding of the past and its relevance to the present.
Beyond imparting knowledge, the workshop ignited a desire for continued exploration. Learners expressed eagerness for similar immersive experiences, underscoring the importance of hands-on learning in making science accessible and inspiring for all learners, regardless of ability.
During the workshop, the volcano model, sun and planets models which were made by the Astronomy Department and STEC interns, were given to the school as a token of appreciation by Dr Tanja Reinhardt, UKZN Science Centre Coordinator.
Special thanks was given to the UKZN Disability Support Unit, the school and the UKZN Science Centre for making a positive impact on the lives of the learners, as well as the National Research Foundation/South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF/SAASTA) who sponsored the models as part of their programmatic support grant.
