Accessible STEM tools for everyone

Published : 19-Jul-2022

It’s been said that ‘people who are blind or visually impaired are the best problem solvers.’   This was a statement made by one of the presenters at the second annual 2022 National Coding Symposium, hosted by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), a national non-profit organization located in Louisville, Kentucky, that has been in operation since 1858.  Their mission is to empower people who are blind or low vision by providing accessible and innovative products, materials and services for lifelong success.  The PPG Foundation partnered with APH for the recent virtual five-day event that had nearly 600 attendees with satellite in-person groups nationally.   

“Generous funding from the PPG Foundation helped APH to introduce young people with vision loss to the idea that a career in STEM is something they can achieve, and that it is not just for students who are sighted. We are deeply grateful to the PPG Foundation and we look forward to continuing our partnership,” said Cathy Jenkins, APH executive director, Development.

Keeping attendees engaged over a virtual platform called for extensive planning and intentional commitment between symposium presenters, teachers and students. Each day began with an inspirational keynote address from a tech professional, followed by panel discussions regarding web design and coding concepts.  Next, several computer science presentations and Q&A sessions were available to educators while student attendees honed their tech skills by learning the basics such as how to create, save and open an HTML document to navigating a website , to more advanced activities such as computer programming using Python or Quorum.  .

APH encouraged teacher and student attendees to click and download pre-symposium tech activities to help whet their appetite for the main course of events.  “It was awesome! I really enjoyed it.  Before the symposium, I was not even sure what coding was, but now I would like to learn more,” said Summer, a high school student attendee.  

One of APH’s instructional products, Code Jumper, was highlighted and used among students in correlating in-person sessions.  Code Jumper teaches the concepts of pre-coding technologies in a game-like way, by taking block coding (software programming used to minimize errors), which is typically something visual and converting it into something tactile – in the user’s hands on the table in front of them.  These strategically colored handheld plastic pods, adorned with large push buttons are connected by “jumper cables” or thick computer-like cords to assist in creativity with each learning experience.  

“Our partnerships create accessible pathways to essential STEM educational programming. By supporting APH and their goal to create an accessible world, with opportunity for everyone, it helps to fulfill our mission to invest in programs that seek to remove barriers, allowing equity for students attending school and when they become adults in the workforce,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility.

To learn about the PPG Foundation’s commitment to building the next generation of diverse and innovative STEM leaders, click here.