International Network of STEM for the Blind and Low-Vision
Ying-Ting, Chiu & Marie-Luise Schütt
What is International Network of STEM for the Blind and Low-Vision?

In 2022, the International Network of STEM for the Blind and Low-Vision was established (founder: Ying-Ting Chiu, President and Executive Director).
The main goal is to bring together all interested people worldwide who are involved in STEM Education for students who are blind or low vision.
Through the common exchange, the possibilities of the students should be optimized. 

What are the tasks of the network?
Our work includes three areas:

(I) information sharing, (II) STEM education, and (III) STEM careers. Each area of our work is introduced and explained below:

(I) Information Sharing

Issues identified: 
(1) Resources related to STEM for the blind and low-vision are in different places, and thus, they are not easy to be found; and 
(2) A lack of networking in the field of STEM for the blind and low-vision leads to overlapping and duplication of work resulting in slow growth of the field.

Our solutions:
(1) Sharing information about resources and recent events related to STEM for the blind and low-vision in different countries on our Resources page and forum; and 
(2) Building a global community through information sharing and idea exchange on virtual platforms, including the forum and online meetings.

(II) STEM Education

Issues identified: 
(1) STEM instructional plans are typically developed without consideration of the needs of the blind and low-vision or without the instructional approaches that are proven effective to teach them; and 
(2) Globally, few STEM education programs have been conducted specifically for blind and low-vision learners.

Our solutions: 
(1) Developing research-based STEM instructional plans that incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum 
(a set of concepts and skills that are taught to blind and low-vision students to support their learning that often occurs incidentally with vision); and 
(2) Implementing the developed instructional plans in participating countries, currently including the United States, Taiwan, Turkey, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, and Mexico, as well as in other countries that will later join the Network.

(III) STEM Careers

Issues identified: 
In many countries, there has been little support for secondary and postsecondary students who are blind or have low vision to prepare them with the needed knowledge and skills to work in STEM fields.

Our solutions: 
(1) Adapting and developing STEM career training programs for the blind and low-vision through collaboration with other organizations; 
(2) Making the adapted and developed training programs online so that the blind and low-vision can easily access the materials; and (3) Implementing the adapted and developed training programs in participating countries, currently including the United States, Taiwan, Turkey, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, and Mexico, as well as in other countries that will later join the Network. 

What is benefit of being part of it?

Following up on the objectives, you will receive new information on science education for students with blindness and visual impairment. 
There is also a regular newsletter to which you can subscribe. 
It provides information about the education of students with visual impairments around the world and offers new ideas for schools.

Please join us
https://www.intlstemblv.net/

Images: 
Three figures are placed on the poster: 
Figure 1 (top right position): The graphic shows the world map, which generates an overview of which countries are represented in the network. The countries that are represented are shown in light blue (United States of America, Taiwan, Turkey, Canada, Germany, India, Japan and Mexico). All other countries that have not participated so far are highlighted in dark blue. 
Figure 2 (bottom left position): Photo shows a 3D printed model of a snake skull (venomous snake) in the hand of a student. 
Figure 3 (bottom left position): The photo shows children's hands stroking snakeskin.