No Barriers in Science

“Deaf people can do anything except hear. My deafness will limit my ability only if I let it” says Marlee Matlin of her Dancing with the Stars stint.  That fact has come to life for students at Caroll Johnston Middle School.  Roxanne Vaughan’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing class and Donna Gossum’s Speech class braved high winds to become scientist for the day at the Las Vegas Wash (Wash). 

There are more than 26 million deaf and hearing-impaired people in the United States, and these students proved they have no limitations.  Many remarked that because they cannot hear doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of being scientists, and the Las Vegas Wash Project Team (Project Team) gave them that chance!

Interpreter Karen Dunlap signed as Project Team members introduced themselves and welcomed the students to the Wash.  Project Team members educated the students on the four flow components entering the Wash (stormwater, urban runoff, shallow groundwater and treated wastewater), where the Wash flows and why scientists study the Wash.

Three groups were formed, each with two interpreters, giving students an opportunity to get a closer look at life as a scientist, including equipping each student with a scientist backpack.  Each backpack was filled with field notebooks, binoculars, scissors, tape, GPS units and gloves.  This equipment gives the students an even better feel for what a career as an environmental scientist would be like.

First of the three groups was the water quality group, which operated instruments used to gauge electrical conductivity, temperature and pH of water in the Wash.  Next the biology group scoured the area for signs of wildlife.  Looking at tracks, peering over bushes and jotting down notes in their field notebooks, students were able to recognize birds along the site.  Finally the third group was tasked with plant identification.  Each student was given clues that lead to finding screwbean and Gooding willows as well as cottonwood trees.

Deaf people have made and are making great strides in science that improve our lives.  We encourage all students who have an interest in science to set scientific goals and work toward them. Students of Johnston Middle School proved that you can overcome any obstacle if you put forth the effort and the Las Vegas Wash Project Team is proud that the Wash could play a part in opening that door.  To find other deaf and hard of hearing scientist, visit http://sci.gallaudet.edu/DS/deafpages.html