Improving chemistry access for high school students with blindness in Central Texas
Official title: Increasing access to chemistry for high schoolers with blindness: a program to jump start Central Texas
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11074024 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making chemistry fun and accessible for high school students who are blind or have low vision by creating special hands-on materials and giving them the chance to work in labs with experienced chemists who understand their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $253,562 |
| NIH project number | 5R25GM146265-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074024 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are high school students with blindness or low vision, particularly those attending the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not interested in pursuing chemistry or who do not have blindness or low vision may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to enhance the accessibility of chemistry education for high school students with blindness or low vision by developing specialized curriculum and hands-on experiences. It involves creating tactile and 3D printed materials that allow students to engage with chemistry concepts in a meaningful way. The program includes special research experiences at Baylor University, where students will participate in lab activities alongside PhD chemists who have blindness. The initiative also focuses on providing safety training and role modeling to empower these students in their scientific pursuits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for high school students with blindness in the field of chemistry.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been efforts to improve accessibility in education for students with disabilities, this specific approach using 3D printing and tactile materials in chemistry is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Bryan F. — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Bryan F.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.