Coauthors: Kate Meredith

In "Inside the Sadler-McCarron Tactile Telescope," GLAS Education's Ed Sadler details the creation of an innovative hands-on learning tool. Originally designed to make astronomy accessible to blind and visually impaired students, the tactile telescope has since become a staple at GLAS Star Parties. Because traditional telescopes are delicate and their optical components cannot be touched, these cutaway models provide a safe, engaging way for everyone to explore how telescopes work. This presentation traces the telescope's evolution from a complex prototype to an accessible, easier-to-build model. Sadler will discuss the design process, which uses common hardware materials such as PVC and 3D-printed faux lenses. Attendees will learn how the design enhances tactile learning and how educators can use GLAS's free instructions to build their own classroom models.