Blind and low-vision students dive into ocean science at WHOI through sound and touch

This year’s theme of coral reefs connected students with coral soundscapes, and real coral specimens

Woods Hole, Mass. (July 31, 2025) – On Wednesday, July 30, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) welcomed students from the Perkins School for the Blind’s Outreach Program for a day of immersive, accessible STEAM learning, using sound and touch to explore the ocean alongside WHOI oceanographers and researchers.

The annual event, part of a collaboration that began in 2007 under WHOI’s OceanInsight program, connects blind and low-vision students to ocean science through hands-on activities designed for multisensory engagement.

This year’s program focused on coral reefs, including tactile coral specimens, reef Lego-building challenges simulating current and future oceans, and hands-on measurement of reef “rugosity.” Rugosity measures the surface roughness of a coral reef and is also an indicator of coral biodiversity and health.

Also returning this year: Sound Explorations’ Terry Wolkowicz helped to reinforce the concept of reef rugosity as a measure of coral health by combining tactile exploration of reef models with live music improvised by a professional musician. 

Other activities included:

• A boat trip on Vineyard Sound with Rob Reynolds of the Zephyr Education Foundation where students collected sea urchins, crabs, and clams for research.
• A soundscape exploration of coral reefs, allowing students to hear the purrs of fish and snaps of shrimp while learning how these sounds indicate reef health.

“When we stop to think about it, we discover ocean exploration doesn’t have to be just a visual experience,” said Dr. Amy Bower, WHOI senior scientist and founder of OceanInsight. “By leveraging the other senses, like hearing and touch, everyone can learn new ocean concepts in a fun and engaging way.”

Bower, who is blind herself, has led the program since its inception. She missed this year’s event as she was training with a new guide dog, but the event continued under the leadership of WHOI’s Megan Harrigan and Anna Pinckney, former WHOI JP student, Dr. Carla Curran, now a retired professor from Savannah State University, and a team of volunteers.

“Our continued partnership with WHOI, and the incredible work of Amy and her team, provides our participants with robust, hands-on experiences that build confidence, expand knowledge, and spark curiosity about fields they may have never considered,” explained Courtney Wescott, Associate Director of Outreach Short Courses, Perkins School for the Blind. “Amy’s journey as a blind professional, combined with the engaging activities her team facilitates, offers our participants a powerful message, that accessibility and achievement can truly go hand in hand.”

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About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Established in 1930, its mission is to understand the ocean and its interactions with the Earth as a whole, and to communicate an understanding of the ocean’s role in the changing global environment. WHOI’s pioneering discoveries stem from an ideal combination of science and engineering—one that has made it one of the most trusted and technically advanced leaders in fundamental and applied ocean research and exploration anywhere. WHOI is known for its multidisciplinary approach, superior ship operations, and unparalleled deep-sea robotics capabilities. We play a leading role in ocean observation and operate the most extensive suite of ocean data-gathering platforms in the world. Top scientists, engineers, and students collaborate on more than 800 concurrent projects worldwide—both above and below the waves—pushing the boundaries of knowledge to inform people and policies for a healthier planet. Learn more at whoi.edu.

About Perkins School for the Blind 

Perkins is an international NGO working to create a world where every child can learn, and that includes the 240 million children with disabilities around the world, the vast majority of whom lack access to skilled educators or services. Our school in Watertown is the heart of our organization, where our educators prepare students ages 3-22 with the academics and life skills they need to define their own success. Around the world, we partner with families, educators, public schools, and governments to create truly accessible learning opportunities for more children with complex disabilities. Together with our partners and supporters, we are building a world where every child belongs.