Science 4 Sight Loss

There are 1.4 million children in the world who are blind or visually impaired – over 5,000 of them live in Ireland. These children face a life-time of challenges and must bravely overcome several obstacles to fulfil their potential. For children with sight loss, engaging with science and understanding scientific concepts can be extremely challenging. Science 4 Sight Loss is a unique partnership between the INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork (UCC) and Ireland’s national sight loss agency, the National Council for the Blind (NCBI). This project will focus on increasing engagement and participation in health based STEM amongst children and young people who are blind or visually impaired. The project was conceived as a solution-focused response to the known high levels of educational disadvantage experienced by children with sight loss and the extremely low uptake of STEM subjects at secondary and tertiary level. The co-creation group and planned workshops – the first of their kind in Ireland – will help stimulate engagement and curiosity in STEM, provide insights into STEM-related careers and inspire this underrepresented group to have confidence in their ability to tackle the barriers of diversity and inclusion in STEM.