Advancing Accessibility and Inclusion in Virtual and In-Person Science Education Experiences with the UCAR Center for Science Education

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Center for Science Education (UCAR SciEd) welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year to the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) Mesa Lab Visitor Center, including students and teachers participating in in-person and virtual tours, field trips, special programs, and teacher professional development opportunities. Additionally, the UCAR SciEd website (scied.ucar.edu) receives over 7 million page views from users around the world each year. In order to engage, inspire, and welcome audiences from such diverse backgrounds, experiences, and geographic locations, UCAR SciEd staff prioritize accessibility and inclusion in all of our work.

This presentation will share the strategies UCAR SciEd staff use to create, update, or adapt learning experiences including co-creation, user testing, opportunities for feedback, staff learning and training, and trial and error to make resources engaging and accessible. Examples include:

• A Wayfinding app and tactile interactives for visitors who are blind or have low vision to explore science exhibits
• Social narratives and visual schedules for NSF NCAR Mesa Lab visitors who are neurodivergent
• Incorporating social justice principles in learning activities, exhibits, and curriculum
• Strategies for collaborating with teachers to update and create science activities and curricula for students with disabilities

Additionally, this presentation will share ideas on how the UCAR SciEd team prioritizes accessibility and inclusion, even with limited budgets, staffing, and the ability to update the physical space.