Seeing Chemical Reactions Through Sound

Enhancing blind students participation in high school level chemistry laboratory classes is a major focus of Cary Supalo, of Pennsylvania State University.

Parts of the improvements are attitude and facility changes, but technological tools can also assist in the process. Supalo presented a Submersible Audible Light Sensor (SALS) prototype and Color Recognizer Sensor now tested at Pennsylvania State University.

Submersible Audible Light Sensor (SALS)

The SALS is an assistive technology device that gives audio feedback on color changes in chemical experiments. This enables students to ‘see’ chemical reactions during chemistry lessons by expressing them as sound. Supalo says that color change is an important reference for students during the classes because it “indicates that a reaction is occurring, or had occurred, a change in reaction conditions, give confirmation on the final product, gives feedback on changes in chemical kinetics of indicates a problem.” The Submersible Audible Light Sensor prototype consists of a box with microprocessor, a probe with photocell and a speaker system to give audio feedback. This feedback starts with a base tone and becomes a lower tone when the solution becomes darker or cloudier.

Rod’s Color Recognizer Sensor

There are many color recognizing tools available on the market, but none fit in a test tube. That is why Rod’s Color Recognizer Sensor is available with three probes: the submersible detector, cuvet box and the through glass detector. This hand-held detector can be used for color recognition in test tubes, beakers, flasks, etc. The audio feedback is presented by a percentage of red, blue, green and white color.

Other tools

There are more tools that are essential in giving full access and participation opportunities for blind students in high school chemistry labs. Supalo recommends the Logger Pro, JAWS screen reader, ID Mate II Barcode reader, a tactile labeling kit and a Braille embosser.