Sending a clear message that science is accessible for visually impaired students

Through a combination of project-based learning and strong mentoring, from both professionals and university students, Project POEM prepares visually impaired students for STEM fields, where they are sorely underrepresented.

Dr. Kortenkamp, astronomer, is pictured here leading an exercise that creates a solar system model. Each participant represents a planet and walks away from the stationary sun to demonstrate the order of the planets. These returning POEM participants are involved in the final phase of the program called the Enrichment Institute. New participants start at the Readiness Academy on Mt Lemmon to begin their 14-month intervention. To read more about this program run by assistant professors Sunggye Hong, Irene Topor, and their collaborators, please see the project page.