Kit cúpulas astronômicas: guia para fazer maquetes de cúpulas e telescópios

Abstract

This work was developed by students from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), within the scope of the Accessible Universe extension project of the Valongo Observatory. This manual for making scale models of the Valongo Observatory domes presents the necessary materials and the step-by-step assembly process, contributing to the spatial understanding of the observatory's observation environments. Tests conducted with blind technicians demonstrated the effectiveness of tactile models as a support tool in astronomy education. The Accessible Universe project focuses on the production of adapted teaching resources in different formats to support visually impaired elementary school students, seeking to stimulate knowledge in this area. We developed tactile notebooks, games, talking books, and 3D objects, made with low-cost materials that can be replicated using instructions provided by the project. The target audience of our action is blind and visually impaired people, especially students from the Benjamin Constant Institute (IBC). However, we reach students throughout Brazil, since the IBC distributes the material created by our group free of charge. The project is coordinated by Professor Silvia Lorenz-Martins and developed in collaboration with the "Science at Your Fingertips" project of the Benjamin Constant Institute, under the coordination of Professor Aires da Conceição Silva.