Astrophysicist Dr. Wanda Diaz-Merced: Introduction to Sonification

Sharon Pennock
Fri, 10 Sep 2021 20:35:00 +0000
2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade

This is a lesson about Astrophysicist and Computer Scientist Dr. Wanda
Diaz-Merced who is a blind scientist who studies the stars by listening to
data converted into sound through a process called sonification.

Sonification is the use of non-speech audio to convey information or perce
ptualize data. To put it more simply, Sonification is the process of using
sound to convey information or turning data into sound. Sometimes,
sonification can convey more detailed information better than visual re
presentation can.

Sighted and blind people use sonification to gather information. And blind
people can use sonification to study the stars and the universe.

This lesson can supplement Science units about Sound, Space, or Technology.
It can even be adapted to supplement Music lessons about pitch and tone.

Image Description: The image is a digital artwork featuring a black and
white photo of a Wanda Diaz Merced, who is wearing a headset with a
microphone and appears to be speaking. She is set against a colorful,
abstract background that includes a large orange circle, a smaller yellow
circle, and a blue brushstroke. There are also various abstract shapes and
patterns, including dots and lines, scattered around the image. On the left
side, vertically, it says "SONIFICATION OF STARS" and on the right side,
horizontally, it reads "WANDA DIAZ MERCED" in yellow text.