Sensium: Helen Keller – 3D Printing in a Friction Lab (LS-DI-570)
Hi, my name is Tsiastoudis Dimitrios. This learning scenario exposes the students to a very important social problem: sensory disabled person identity in schools and society. In order to increase their awareness about such problems that people face, I have decided to use Europeana resources to design a learning scenario in three parts. This scenario promotes deaf-blind heritage through Helen Keller’s Biography (a deaf-blind author, political activist, and lecturer), aside from a STEAM activity. It combines Physics, Geometry, and Technology with 3D printing and 3D designing engineering activities.
Life of Helen Keller
During this learning scenario, the students will explore friction using the sense of touch in three phases. In the first phase, they will follow a deaf-blind woman academic achievements as a proper role model, to reflect on why there is a stereotype of people with a disability instead of social inability to integrate disabled people. Consequently they will talk about stereotypes and the relationship between handicap and diversity.
I learned that it is possible for us to create light, sound and order within us no matter what calamity befall us in the outer world.
Helen Keller
S.T.E.A.M. 3D Printing Activity
During the second phase, students explore friction as a force during a STEAM activity. The research on hovercraft movement using Europeana materials as also online applets.
In the third and last phase, students experience critical analysis, in-depth research, and a collective resolution process of problems. Furthermore, by using creativity and critical thinking skills, students will redesign a prototype wheel to increase its friction.
Would you like to know more about this learning scenario? You can download it below:
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Women as Role Models in the Field of Education (this is an Update rather than a Learning Scenario, but it talks further about Helen Keller and other inspirational role models!)
CC BY-SA 3.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste.