TVI Tips: Making a Tactile Graduated Cylinder

This quick how-to will teach you to make a graduated cylinder that is accessible to students who are blind or have low vision. 

A few simple modifications will allow your student to measure liquids in milliliters (ml) and successfully complete a lesson on the metric system.

• Step 1: Purchase a cork borer (Flinn Scientific), a Braille label Maker (Independence Science), Styrofoam, an X-acto knife and plastic tabs (available at plant nursery stores).

• Step 2: Using a cork borer, cut out a cylindrical plug of Styrofoam that will fit the diameter of the graduated cylinder. Cut the plug so that it is has a slightly less diameter, so it will move up and down in the cylinder.

• Step 3: Use the X-acto knife to cut a slit on one end of the Styrofoam plug that is deep enough for one end of the plastic tab to fit in (about ¼ inch).

• Step 4: Measure the plastic tab so that it will be as long as the cylinder you are using.

• Step 5: Using the Braille label maker, Braille a “zero mL” label and place it on the top of one end of the plastic tab.

• Step 6: With the label maker, Braille “5 mL, 10 mL….” labels until you have the entire amount the cylinder will hold. Place these labels in the exact positions as the actual mL markings on your cylinder.

• Step 7: Place the plastic tab into the slit in the Styrofoam plug. If you glue that one end in, it will not come out easily.

TEACHING INSTRUCTIONS: As you add liquid to the graduated cylinder, the tab will float upward. A student who is blind can run his or her fingers lightly across the lip of the graduated cylinder and find the volume of the liquid in mLs.

This method of measuring liquid is safer and more effective for students with BLV. Please supervise student as they learn to use this technique, but they should be able to complete this task independently after a few attempts.

FOR DETAILED ASSISTANCE: on how to make the laboratory safe and accessible for your student with visual impairments please refer to our help hotline: 866-862-9665 or email our consultants at info@independencescience.com