Tactile Collider wins RNIB See Differently award
Tactile Collider, led by the Cockcroft Institute and funded by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council won the Innovator of the Year Award in the RNIB See Differently awards 2019.
This award is presented to an individual or organisation that has demonstrated and applied a new product, technology, or service which has significantly benefited people who are blind or partially sighted.
They "shine a spotlight on the excellent work happening every day across the UK to support people with sight loss and highlight the contributions being made to break down barriers and rewarded those creating opportunities that enable blind and partially sighted people to live the life they want to lead.”
Tactile Collider has been created by Dr Chris Edmonds from the University of Liverpool, Dr Rob Appleby from The University of Manchester and Robyn Watson from Bolton Sensory Support Service and promotes a love of science among blind and partially sighted students. It offers a unique, two-hour workshop that to date has been delivered to over 20 schools nationwide. The Tactile Collider team worked with people with sight loss to find new ways to educate pupils about particle physics through touch and sound. Their workshop uses sound recordings and tactile models to teach the audience about particles, accelerators and magnets. The workshop is also designed to inspire teachers working with pupils with vision impairment too, by sharing ideas as to how content can be delivered simply and effectively.
Earlier this year the project received widespread recognition for their pioneering work, after being awarded the prestigious 2019 Outreach Prize from the High Energy and Particle Physics Division of the European Physical Society.