Scientific Consultant

Scientific Consultant, Noreen Grice

The Night Sky Has No Limit!

Noreen Grice & Dave Sobel at Joint Meeting of American Astronomical Society and Astronomical Society of the Pacific, St. Louis.

In 1984, a group of blind students opened Noreen Grice’s eyes to the need for accessibility in science education. The planetarium show Noreen presented was not accessible to the blind because the images were projected on the ceiling overhead. They told her the show "stunk" and it got her thinking -- why can't astronomy be accessible for everyone?

Twenty-five years later, she is president of You Can Do Astronomy LLC and author of five published astronomy books, all accessible with text in print and Braille, and pictures that are touchable. These books are in the hands of blind and visually impaired readers who use their fingers and mind's-eye to "see" celestial objects and the distant universe, many for the first time. Students have told her that her books inspired them to study science, and some plan to be the first blind astronauts in space and  on Mars!

Noreen is committed to creating new universally designed books, products and methods to change the way people learn! As a science consultant, we provide the following services to make astronomy/space-science accessible for everyone:

• Design of Tactile Images and Exhibits
• Hands-On Teacher Workshops
• Accessible Astronomy Books with pictures you can touch
• Accessibility Integration for Planetarium Theaters

Noreen can speak at your organization about the importance of removing conceptual barriers to make science accessible and exciting to everyone Her applications bring people together.  

Her formal education is in astronomy, museum studies, non-profit management and assistive technology applications. Noreen has received several awards for her work including:

• 2010  Boston University Distinguished Alumni Award
• 2009  YMCA Tribute to Women Award
• 2008  Jacob Bolotin Award (National Federation of the Blind) 
• 2007  Klumpke-Roberts Award (Astronomical Society of the Pacific)
• 2002  Exceptional Service Award (Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society)
• 1999  Host of NE Emmy-Award-Winning TV show “Mission Mars”
• 1994  IPS Fellow (International Planetarium Society)
• 1989  Director’s Award (Boston Museum of Science)
• 1987  Vice Presidential Leadership Award (San Diego State Univ.)

We look forward to working with you to make your part of the universe more welcoming and accessible to people of all abilities!