|
About Noreen Grice |
In 1984, a group of blind students opened my eyes to the need for accessibility in science education. The planetarium show I presented, and they attended, was not accessible because the images were projected on the ceiling overhead. They told me the show "stunk" and it got me thinking -- why can't astronomy be accessible for everyone?
Twenty-four years later, I am president of You Can Do Astronomy LLC and author of five published astronomy books, all accessible with text in print and Braille and pictures that are touchable. These books are in the hands of blind and visually impaired readers who use their fingers and mind's-eye to "see" celestial objects and the distant universe, many for the first time. Students have told me that my books inspired them to study science and dream of (no, plan on!) being the first blind astronaut on Mars.
I believe that people who read visually or by touch can learn together if science education is accessible. I am committed to creating new universally designed books, products and methods to change the way people learn!
EDUCATION
B.A. in Astronomy, Boston University
M.S. in Astronomy, San Diego State University
Professional Certificate in Museum Studies, Tufts University
Professional Certificate in Non-Profit Management, Boston Center for Adult Education
Professional Certificate in Assistive Technology, California State University, Northridge
PIONEER
In making the planetarium environment welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities.
Work highlighted in Sky & Telescope Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, UK Museum text, Insight: A Guide to Design with Low Vision in Mind (Evamy/Roberts)
PROFESSIONAL
Over 20 years creating accessible astronomy materials for the visually impaired
Over 20 years of experience presenting programs in a planetarium/science museum
Over 15 years of experience teaching children's astronomy courses
Over 10 years of experience teaching undergraduate astronomy courses
AWARDS
2008 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award
2007 Klumpke-Roberts Award
Bank of America Local Hero
Director's Award, Museum of Science, Boston
Exceptional Service Award, Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society
Fellows Award, International Planetarium Society
Host of the New England Emmy Award-winning children's TV series, Mission Mars
Certificate of Achievement, Johns Hopkins National Search for Computing to Assist Persons with Disabilities
AUTHOR OF
Touch The Stars(1990, 1993, 1998), Museum of Science, Boston
Touch The Stars II(2002), National Braille Press
Touch The Universe: A NASA Braille Book of Astronomy(2002), Joseph Henry Press
Touch The Sun, A NASA Braille Book(2005), Joseph Henry Press
The Little Moon Phase Book (2005), Ozone Publishing
El Pequeno Libro de las Fases de la Luna(2005), Ozone Publishing
Touch the Invisible Sky: A Multi-Wavelength Braille Book Featuring Tactile NASA Images (2007), Ozone Publishing
Monthly columns for the children's science magazine, Odyssey
EDITOR OF
How to Make Planetariums More Accommodating and Accessible to Visitors with Disabilities, Great Lakes Planetarium Association
MEMBER OF
American Astronomical Society
International Planetarium Society
Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society
National Association of Science Writers
New England Science Writers
National Federation of the Blind
Noreen Grice has been appointed a member of the advisory working group for the National Center for Blind Youth in Science (NCBYS) at the Jernigan Institute, National Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, MD.
Booking Noreen Grice to speak at your organization
Link to You Can Do Astronomy Main Page