Signing Science: SSPD

The Signing Science Picture Dictionary (SSP) is an illustrated, interactive 3D sign language dictionary with 730 science terms defined in both American Sign Language (ASL) and Signed English (SE).

The SSP is one in a series of fully animated, illustrated and interactive 3D signing dictionaries. The SSP is designed for grade K-3 students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and use American Sign Language (ASL) or Signed English (SE) in the classroom.

The SSP supports access to standards-based science content among lower grade elementary students and is a great resource for teachers and parents!

The SSP will link to definitions in our Signing Science Dictionary and Signing Math Dictionary which can be found on iTunes.

Our 3D character can be zoomed in or out and rotated to give you the best vantage point for every sign. YOU control the placement of the character – not us!

Use the controls to choose the character and sign language you prefer; view the illustration; speed up or slow down the signing; and send the character to his "home" or default position. The signing will automatically loop until you go back (using the "back" arrow in the top left corner), thereby exiting from the signing page.

Use the Quick Start Guide in the app to walk you through what the SSP has to offer. For a full description of how to use the SSP, go to www.signingapp.com.


Text and illustrations were developed by and are copyrighted by TERC, Cambridge, Massachusetts. ©TERC, Inc. All rights reserved. SigningAvatar® animation technology and mobile interface were designed, developed and are copyrighted by Vcom3D, Inc. ©Vcom3D, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in while or in part is strictly prohibited.

The Signing Science Picture Dictionary for iPod Touch/iPhone is developed by TERC and Vcom3D and funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Grant H327A080040. A prototype cersion was funded in part by a grant from the Carol and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation Disability Initiative. TERC and Vcom3D conducted an initial study of the use of the SSP in informal settings. The Shared Signing Science Planning Project was funded in part by the National Science Foundation, Grant #DRL-075487.