Seeing Chemistry through Sound: A Submersible Audible Light Sensor for Observing Chemical Reactions for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

In order to enable students who are blind and visually impaired to observe chemical changes in solutions, a hand-held device was designed to output light intensity as an audible tone. The submersible audible light sensor (SALS) creates an audio signal by which one can observe reactions in a solution in real time, using standard laboratory glassware such as test tubes or beakers. Because many observations in the chemistry laboratory are visual, the SALS device enables students who are blind and visually impaired to perform a broader range of experiments independently. It is believed that this active participation will inspire more of these students to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions. The SALS device can be further refined to provide vibratory and visual outputs for students with learning or physical disabilities.