Talk - Astronomy In Sign Language: Experiences From Germany And Venezuela
Contreras-Quintero Jhoel
Our project promoted equitable access to astronomy for deaf children and adults in Venezuela and Germany. It began at the Centre for Astronomical Research in the Andes with mobile planetarium sessions (Astro-Bus) and sky observations at Mérida's observatory. A core component involved systematic co-creation of neologisms in sign language to address the lexical gap in astronomical terminology—a critical barrier to conceptual learning. Digital platforms proved effective for sharing astro-news in sign language. Since 2023, the project moved to Germany, integrating events in schools and summer camps through the "juteo" program (Federal Association for the Deaf), enabling comparative analysis of pedagogical infrastructures and inclusion policies between South American and European contexts.
