Before we focus on specific ideas and lessons for spring science, this resource is an excellent starting point.
Science Instruction for Students with Visual Impairments
Learn about the challenges facing students with visual impairments in accessing science instruction.
Flower and Pollination Studies
The beginning of spring is a time to talk about planting, tree/plant growth, and flower pollination:
- Dissect a Flower: Examine the male and female parts of a flower to understand pollination and reproduction using both real flowers and diagrams. Use a thermoform sheet or the Sense of Science APH kit.
- 3D Flower Models: Build models using pipe cleaners and paper to visualize flower anatomy
- Planting Rainbows: Discover several ways to adapt a flower and garden lesson for students with visual impairments.
Seasonal Weather Exploration
Track spring weather patterns, temperature changes, and daylight hours to understand seasonal science.
These activities are suitable for preschool through middle school, can be done indoors or outdoors, and often use common household items. They encourage curiosity, observation, and hands-on learning while connecting children to the natural changes of spring.
Weather bag- rain: This lesson/activity is recommended for students with complex needs and helps reinforce the concept of weather through a variety of sensory channels.
Seventeen weather related science activities
Some activities include
- Make a rain gauge to study precipitation: this could include a lesson about measuring liquids, estimation about possible rainfall, and evaporation. Use transparent, flexible rulers with large print and braille for making your own rain gauge.
- Make a water cycle model: This lesson includes students building a physical model of the water cycle, they will be able to simulate and observe evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and other water cycle processes.
- Measuring the wind: Help the budding meteorologists in your classroom learn how to measure wind speed by building their own anemometers (wind speed meters) with paper cups and straws. Then do a simple experiment in which students change the “wind” speed using a fan and measure how fast their anemometer spins. For younger students, make windsocks and keep a chart for a week to graph the windiest days.
Earth Day ideas
Honoring Earth Day: Ideas for Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Ideas for hands-on activities and resources to celebrate Earth Day with children who are blind or visually impaired.
