Hermitage

Making Biomes Accessible

Henrico Learner Profile (HLP) 6C Focus

Multi-grade Level - Environmental Science

SOL/Standard  

ENV.6 The student will describe that stability and change impact both populations and ecosystems. ENV.11 The student will investigate and understand that global climate change is occurring. 

Learning Experience

Environmental Science students were tasked to make learning about biomes accessible to all students.  They collaborated with multilingual students and Integrated Services students to understand barriers some learners face in understanding content. Environmental Science students then designed biome boxes considering the 5 senses and how to eliminate the barriers other students might face when learning. 

What did the student(s) learn about this experience:

"It was cool being able to access biome information in my language. I understood better." - Multilingual Student

What did the student(s) learn about this experience:

"Thank you for including us! I loved the sounds" - Integrated Services Student

What did the teacher enjoy about this experience:

"What a magical experience! The faces of my integrated service students said everything! We loved sharing our experience in considering disabilities when designing instruction with Ms. Kirk's classes!" - Sadie Hodges

Additional Pictures, Media & Artifacts

Biome Boxes include visual elements specific to each biome incorporating textures, animals, water effects, and accurate temperatures. 

Digital Biomes offered facts, pictures, data graphs specific to each biome.

Makey-Makey for audio accessiblity. Sounds and descriptions of the biomes were incorporated into the biomes as well as recordings in various languages for our multilingual students. 

The Museum is set up to be wheelchair accessible.

Thank you to the innovators who helped make this experience possible: