The programme is called ‘ACTIVE’ or Advanced Content Through Interactive Virtual Environments. It is aimed at educating blind and visually impaired middle school students about the solar system by using their other senses.

It is an interactive learning environment where Earth and space data combine with senses of touch and sound for a multi-sensory experience. Students use a ‘pen’ to maneuver over a 3-Dimensional image on a computer screen. Each ridge and crevasse is felt by the device through force, vibration or motions to the user.

"The project and the device itself allows access to information and data that is usually only presented in visual formats," said Marjorie Darrah, director of Computer Science Group at West Virginia High Tech Foundation (U.S.). The project is being funded by a National Science Foundation Grant (U.S.).