Making public spaces accessible for people with visual impairments enables them to navigate and move safely within their environment. But what is the best possible route?
Typically, people choose the shortest route in terms of distance and time in order to travel from one place to another. However, people with blindness must take additional factors into account (for example, stairs or fences).
Citizen science research in the fields of mapping and geoinformation can support the planning of walking routes adapted for people with blindness through software developed by researchers for calculating and identifying safe routes. Students participate in participatory mapping activities. Mapping data collected באמצעות a smartphone application are uploaded to the open platform OpenStreetMap and contribute to scientific research.
In integrating the scientific research within schools, a program is collaboratively designed together with the lead teacher and the research team. This program is integrated into geography studies and into the community social engagement curriculum and is intended for students in grades 9–11. The program seeks to foster “spatial citizenship” among students, including active citizenship and spatial thinking.
Citizen Science During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Different Scenarios During the 2020–2021 School Year
The 2020–2021 school year took place under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. Efforts were made to hold learning sessions both at schools and at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, although these were expected to be quite limited. Preparations were made for various scenarios in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education of Israel and the Ministry of Health of Israel. In addition to the “routine” program, preparations were also made for fully online instruction (both synchronous and asynchronous lessons) and for hybrid teaching that combined online learning with meetings involving students and teachers.
Interested in joining? Do you have questions about citizen science research and its integration into schools?
You are invited to contact Dalit Lan at:
lan.dalit@campus.technion.ac.il
Ayelet Baram-Tsabari and Dalit Lan, Faculty of Education in Science and Technology at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Sagi Daliyot, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
