CHENNAI: Saturday was a day spent learning science differently for over 60 visually challenged students at St Louis school of the blind and deaf in the city as part of an eyes-free science workshop. It was held jointly by Rotary club of Drishti and Chakshumathi. “The scientific reasoning is very little among visually challenged students, through this workshop we hope to open up possibilities of careers in science while to parents and teachers we are trying to show them the possibilities of an inclusive science lab which is present in foreign countries which would give vocal feedback during experiment or interactions,” said professor Damodaran , chairman, chakshumathi.
“This workshop helped me see what is possible in science, hearing about people with low vision or blindness who have learnt and become scientist is quite inspiring,” said Pradeep, a student. Post afternoon session saw the students try making a simple windmill from cardboard. “In the beginning, not many students were enthusiastic to be a scientist, but by the end, I was happy to see a few more hands rising when asked if they wanted to be a scientist,” said Raj kamal, mentor, chakshumathi.