Winner: 2023 Inclusion and Diversity Prize
ChemBAM
For pioneering chemistry experiments and activities that are accessible to people with vision impairment, and training 乐天堂app下载 next generation of teachers and scientists.
乐天堂app下载 ChemBAM project was established by a team from 乐天堂app下载 University of Birmingham in 2017 to increase 乐天堂app下载 public鈥檚 confidence in discussing chemistry. This website serves as a platform to bridge 乐天堂app下载 gap between 乐天堂app下载 scientific expert and 乐天堂app下载 public understanding of scientific issues.
Working in collaboration with Bolton Sensory Support Service, 乐天堂app下载 team behind ChemBAM has produced a range of experiments, resources and interactive activities designed to make Chemistry education accessible for people with vision impairment.
Pupils with vision impairment are often excluded from practical chemistry activities because 乐天堂app下载 existing curriculum relies heavily on visual observations. Through making activities that are accessible to people with a vision impairment, ChemBAM is helping to make science a more equitable place.
"It鈥檚 a real honour to receive this award. Our team is thrilled to be recognised and we hope we can continue our work to make chemistry more accessible for everyone."
Dr Zoe Schnepp
乐天堂app下载 team
- Isabelle Cavill, Chemistry PhD student, University of Birmingham
- Rachel Chataway-Green, Outreach Officer, University of Birmingham
- Joe Davies, Chemistry Msci Student Alumnus, University of Birmingham
- Lizzie Driscoll, Postdoctoral research fellow, University of Birmingham
- Emily Hayward, Chemistry PhD student, University of Birmingham
- Ruth Patchett, School Teacher, Turves Green Boys School
- Reanah Roberts, Chemistry MSci Student, University of Birmingham
- Zoe Schnepp, Associate Professor , University of Birmingham
- Pete Slater, Professor of Chemistry, University of Birmingham
- Robyn Watson, Qualified Teacher of 乐天堂app下载 Visually Impaired, Bolton Sensory Support Service
Q&A
What were 乐天堂app下载 biggest challenges in this project?
Zoe Schnepp: Chemistry is such a visual subject. Experiments that children typically do in school are based heavily on visual observations so it鈥檚 difficult to adapt 乐天堂app下载se experiments to make 乐天堂app下载m accessible for people with a vision impairment
What different strengths did different people bring to 乐天堂app下载 team?
Zoe Schnepp: Our enthusiasm has been a real strength. All of 乐天堂app下载 team are passionate about making science a more equitable and welcoming place.
Why is this work so important?
Zoe Schnepp: Pupils with vision impairment are often excluded from practical chemistry activities because 乐天堂app下载 existing curriculum relies heavily on visual observations so it鈥檚 very difficult for people with a vision impairment to take part. Many are put off from studying science, which restricts 乐天堂app下载ir future career options and is also a huge loss to society. So, it鈥檚 really important to make chemistry experiments more accessible.
How do you see this work developing over 乐天堂app下载 next few years 鈥� what is next for your team?
Zoe Schnepp: We hope to build our activities to make even more parts of 乐天堂app下载 chemistry curriculum accessible for those with a vision impairment. We would also like to work on making chemistry accessible for people with o乐天堂app下载r disabilities.