Discovery pens open the door for visitors with visual impairments or children who find big chunks of text hard to read.
Winchester Science Centre has introduced audio description to its interactive hands-on science exhibits with the launch of discovery pens. The pens provide audio commentary highlighting how to interact with the exhibits as well as explaining the science behind the fun.
Discovery pens remove a physical barrier for children visiting Winchester Science Centre, opening up science to even more children on a school trip by supporting those with visual impairments or who struggle with reading the written interpretation of the exhibits.
School visits to the centre are split into three sections: a planetarium show, a curriculum linked workshop, and time to explore the two floors of hands-on exhibits. Children can use the pens to help them whilst exploring the attraction.
Ben Ward, chief executive officer of Wonderseekers, the charity behind Winchester Science Centre said: “I’m thrilled that we now have discovery pens at Winchester Science Centre. This has been a long-awaited and important milestone in our charity’s journey to empower every child to treasure science.
“This technology allows more children to learn in a way that works for them, and I’m very grateful for the support we received from our partner and the hard work of the Wonderseekers team that made audio description possible.”
Children and families who may benefit from audio description were invited to test the Discovery Pens and share their feedback.
“I liked the discovery pens’ headphones because they muffled the sound of the Science Centre and I was in my own little world.”
10-year-old grl.
How to use the discovery pens
During their visit, children will be given a pen and headphones. Raised black circles have been added to exhibits, with one yellow and one orange rectangle in the middle.
Placing the pen on the orange rectangle will start a description of what the exhibit is and how to interact with it. Hovering the pen over the yellow rectangle, will start a description of the science behind the exhibit.
Winchester Science Centre offers science-focused school trips to children from Key Stage 1 to lower Key Stage 3. Discovery pens can be booked in advance of a trip or upon arrival at the centre.
For more information about school trips go to winchestersciencecentre.org/schools-and-groups/school-trip.
