Development of astronomical education materials for the people with and without visual impairment

• Project/Area Number: 16K01050
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Science education
• Research Institution: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
• Principal Investigator: Usuda-Sato Kumiko 国立天文台, 天文情報センター, 特任専門員 (70455202)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2019)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥910,000 (Direct Cost: ¥700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥210,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2017: ¥780,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥180,000); Fiscal Year 2016: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
• Keywords: 触って理解できる天文教材の開発 / 3Dプリンタを使った模型製作 / 国内外ネットワークの強化 / ３Dプリンタを使った模型製作 / 触ってわかる天文教材 / 国内外への情報発信 / 科学教育 / 科学コミュニケーション

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using a 3D printer we developed tactile telescope models like the Subaru Telescope in Hawai‘i and ALMA antennae in Chile from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Based on comments from the blind and visually impaired (BVI) people and a science teacher of special needs we created two types of model for the Subaru Telescope: A detailed model for sighted people and people who are BVI who have excellent haptic observing skills and a simplified model for students at special needs schools for the visually impaired who are learning how to touch samples and tactile models in science classes. Additional tactile 2D diagrams were also created to make communication with BVI people smoothly. Through the “Touch the Universe” special exhibits at Japan Braille Library and Akashi Municipal Planetarium, we developed a system to lend a set of tactile models. The lending system enables museums and special needs schools easily obtain and use the tactile models.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

視覚の有無に関わらず、宇宙や天文学に興味のある方が多い。しかし、天文分野は視覚にたよるところが大きく、また、立体的に捉えなければならない構造が多く、口頭での説明だけではわかりにくい点が多いのが現状である。３Ｄプリンタを用いた立体模型を、視覚障害者や視覚特別支援学校教員の意見を取り入れながら開発することにより、更に、模型を使った授業・講演や企画展を通じて、模型をデザインする際や説明・コミュニケーション時に留意する点が明らかになった。この、視覚障害者が触って理解しやすい立体模型は、晴眼者にとってもわかりやすく、視覚の有無を乗り越えあらゆる人が共に楽しみながら学ぶ環境作りに役立つと考えている。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Building networks and best practices for astronomy for inclusion in Japan (2020)
  • Author(s): Usuda-Sato, K. & Mineshige, S.
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of IAU Symposium 358 (in press) Volume: 未定
• [Journal Article] Touch the Universe: Developing and Disseminating Tactile Telescope Models Created with a 3D Printer (2019)
  • Author(s): Usuda-Sato, K., Nakayama, H., Fujiwara, H., & Usuda, T.
  • Journal Title: CAP (Communicating Astronomy with the Public) journal Volume: 26 Pages: 24-30
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Journal Article] Astronomy networks and best practices for inclusion in Japan (2019)
  • Author(s): Usuda-Sato, K., Mineshige, S., & Canas, L.
  • Journal Title: Nature Astronomy Volume: 3 Issue: 12 Pages: 1032-1034
  • DOI: 10.1038/s41550-019-0957-y
  • Open Access
• [Journal Article] Astronomy for Inclusion: Building Network and Sharing Hands-on Resources (2018)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Shin Mineshige, Lina Canas
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of Communicating Astronomy With the Public Conference 2018 Volume: - Pages: 256-257
  • Open Access
• [Journal Article] 視覚の有無を乗り越える「すばる望遠鏡」模型の製作 (2018)
  • Author(s): 臼田-佐藤功美子
  • Journal Title: 第32回天文教育研究会集録 Volume: - Pages: 103-106
  • Open Access
• [Journal Article] 国立天文台三鷹キャンパス (2018)
  • Author(s): 臼田-佐藤功美子
  • Journal Title: 月刊視覚障害-その研究と情報 Volume: 362 Pages: 36-40
• [Journal Article] 国立天文台三鷹におけるユニバーサルデザインの取り組み (2017)
  • Author(s): 臼田-佐藤功美子
  • Journal Title: 天文教育 Volume: 29 Pages: 16-19
• [Presentation] Building Networks, Best Practices on Astronomy for Inclusion: From Japan to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) International Community (2019)
  • Author(s): Usuda-Sato, K. & Canas, L.
  • Organizer: SciAccess (Ohio State University, USA)
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Building Networks, Best Practices on Astronomy for Inclusion in Japan (2019)
  • Author(s): Usuda-Sato, K., Mineshige, S.
  • Organizer: IAU Symposium 358 "ASTRONOMY FOR EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ― A Roadmap to Action Within the Framework of IAU Centennial Anniversary"
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Astronomy for Diversity and Inclusion: Building Networks, Best Practices, and a Roadmap to Action for Change (2019)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato & Lina Canas
  • Organizer: Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) Colloquim
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 視覚の有無を乗り越える「すばる望遠鏡」模型の製作 (2018)
  • Author(s): 臼田-佐藤功美子
  • Organizer: 第32回天文教育研究会
• [Presentation] 3Dプリンタを用いたすばる望遠鏡模型の製作 (2018)
  • Author(s): 臼田-佐藤功美子, 中山弘敬, 藤原英明, 臼田知史
  • Organizer: 日本天文学会2018年秋季年会
• [Presentation] Astronomy for Inclusion: Building Network and Sharing Hands-on Resources (2018)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Shin Mineshige, and Lina Canas
  • Organizer: Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2018
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Astronomy for Inclusion: A Chance for Regional and International Cooperation (2017)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Lina Canas, Yukiko Shibata, and Shin Mineshige
  • Organizer: 2017 Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Developing Tactile Model of NAOJ-Related Telescopes with a 3D Printer (2017)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Hirotaka Nakayama, Hideaki Fujiwara, Hiroshi Futami, Kuninori Iwashiro, and Usuda Tomonori
  • Organizer: 2017 Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Inclusivity at NAOJ Mitaka Visitors' Area (2017)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato
  • Organizer: Astronomy Museums, Visitor Centres & Public Observatories Workshop
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] 国立天文台三鷹におけるユニバーサルデザインの取り組み (2016)
  • Author(s): 臼田-佐藤功美子
  • Organizer: 第三回ユニバーサルデザイン天文教育研究会～教材研究ワークショップ
  • Place of Presentation: 国立天文台三鷹 (東京都・三鷹市)
  • Year and Date: 2016-09-24
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] ユニバーサル天文ワークショップ -国際協力と支援- (2016)
  • Author(s): Lina Canas、嶺重慎、柴田幸子、臼田-佐藤功美子
  • Organizer: 第30回天文教育研究会
  • Place of Presentation: 東北大学理学部・青葉サイエンスホール (宮城県・仙台市)
  • Year and Date: 2016-08-21
• [Presentation] Astronomy for Inclusion: network and hands-on workshop (2016)
  • Author(s): Angela Perez, Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Lina Canas, Amelia Ortiz-Gil, Beatriz Garcia, & Wanda Diaz Merced
  • Organizer: Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2016
  • Place of Presentation: Parque Explora, Medellin (Colombia)
  • Year and Date: 2016-05-16
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Sharing Japanese Resources of "Universal Design" for Astronomy (2016)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Shin Mineshige, & Lina Canas
  • Organizer: Astronomy beyond the Common Senses
  • Place of Presentation: Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena (Colombia)
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Presentation] Universal Design Symposium in Japan -International Collaboration- (2016)
  • Author(s): Kumiko Usuda-Sato & Lina Canas
  • Organizer: Astronomy beyond the Common Senses
  • Place of Presentation: Universidad de Cartagena, Cartagena (Colombia)
  • Int'l Joint Research
• [Remarks] 3Dプリンターを使った模型作り
  • URL: http://prc.nao.ac.jp/3d/index.html
• [Remarks] 日本点字図書館ふれる博物館 第２回企画展 宇宙をさわる
  • URL: https://www.nittento.or.jp/about/fureru/exhibition_02.html