Mining Simulator Gives Visually Impaired Teens a UA Student Experience

Middle and high-schoolers participating in the University of Arizona’s Project POEM visited the UA’s Mining Research Laboratory to learn more about the field of mining and geological engineering. Project POEM is an initiative to advance the awareness and pursuit of STEM-related careers for the visually impaired. 

The students had a hands-on experience in the most literal sense, working with joysticks to operate a mine simulator, holding rocks and geodes, and turning over 3D-printed models in their hands.

Student Maggie Lindsay said while she’d always been interested in science, she hadn’t known much about mining before attending the event. She left the day with several lessons learned.

“Trust yourself that you can do it,” she said. “You may have to do it differently than someone who doesn’t have a disability, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it.”