Project INSPIRE: Increasing the STEM Potential of Individuals Who Read Braille Through Self-Paced Free Courses for Professionals

By Tina Herzberg, Sara Larkin, Susan Osterhaus, and Penny Rosenblum

Welcome to Project INSPIRE: Increasing the STEM Potential of Individuals Who Read Braille—a 5-year grant funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (H235E190003).

Our Courses for Those Supporting Braille Learners

We have developed free, self-paced courses for TVIs, paraprofessionals, braillists, transcribers, and others who support braille learners.

Over the last 3 years, our focus has been on Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts. During the final 2 years of the project we will develop courses focused on UEB Technical as well as materials for youth in both codes. Follow us on Facebook or sign up to get notifications of upcoming courses and other events. 

The following courses are available:

• Course 1: Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts and Strategies for Supporting the Pre-K-1st Grade Student in Building Math Skills
  • View the objectives for this course.
• Course 2: An Introduction to Nemeth Code Symbols Used in Grades 2 to 5 and Strategies for Supporting Elementary Students in Building Math Skills
  • View the objectives for this course.
• Course 3: Grades 2-5: Nemeth Code Symbols for Fractions and Spatial Problems, Instructional Tools, Materials, and Technology
  • View the objectives for this course.
• Course 4: Geometry and Tactile Graphics for Students in Grades 3 to 8
  • View the objectives for this course.
• Course 5: Nemeth Code Symbols Used in the Middle Grades and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning
  • View the objectives for this course.
• Course 6: Nemeth Code Symbols Used in High School and Strategies for Supporting Math Learning
  • View the objectives for this course.

Nemeth in a Box Materials

As part of Project INSPIRE’s commitment to increase STEM braille literacy we have designed Nemeth in a Box for Middle School Students.

Nemeth in a Box is seven lessons that teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) or others (e.g., paraprofessionals, family members) can use to review and/or introduce Nemeth Code symbols at the middle level and review math concepts in a fun way. 

• See the topics in Nemeth in a Box.

Fall 2023

• For Middle School Students: We will offer WaterViz: A Creative Approach to Understanding Water Cycle & Climate Data.
• For Professionals: We are recruiting for our six courses focused on Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts and teaching methods and our new course on focused on teaching UEB Math/Science. Share the flyer. Sign up for ONE course. Courses begin Tuesday, October 10.

Sign up now!

Spring 2024

• For Professionals: We will be offering courses 1-7.

Follow us on Facebook or sign up to get notifications of upcoming courses and other events.