Meeting of Astronomy Education and Public Outreach Stakeholders

UNIVERSE AWARENESS Inspiring Young ChildrenCarolina Ödman Johannesburg, May 7, 2007carolina.odman@unawe.org UNIVERSE AWARENESS (UNAWE)• Initiative for a worldwide scientific culture.• Expose very young (ages 4 - 10 years), underprivileged children to the inspirational aspects of astronomy. – Broaden the minds of the children – Enhance their understanding of the world – Demonstrate the power of rational thought 1

MOTIVATION• Beauty and size of the Universe excite Young Children• Basic knowledge of the Universe is a Birthright• Ages 4 - 10 are crucial for Child Development• Knowledge about the Universe can broaden the mind• Why young and underprivileged children? – Need is greatest – Cognitive disparities increase with age – Cultural differences less pronounced Astronomy for Peace Education• Science • Multidisciplinary – Investigation, curiosity – The big questions – Ambassador for all sciences • FUN! – Development of – Beautiful images technology – Extreme conditions• Culture – Unreachable yet – History available to all past & in the making! – Cultural heritage 2

GOALS OF UNAWE• Communicate the beauty and scale of the Universe to young children – Excite and broaden their minds – Help develop a “world view”• Use inspirational astronomy to develop cognitive skills• Reach large numbers of children• United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – Universal Primary Education – Gender Equality in Primary School PRINCIPLES OF UNAWE• Inspiration is paramount – Emphasis on play and entertainment• Bottom-up approach – Driven by the needs of the local cultures and educators• General approach – Earth awareness and citizenship, membership of a diverse human family – Awareness of the Sun, planets, solar system, galaxy, Universe 3

CHARACTERISTICS OF UNAWE• Underprivileged children in diverse environments – Basic, intermediate, advanced – Europe (e.g. inner cities) and Emerging countries• Modular and phased – Will take account of stages in child development• Exploits ethnic heritage of astronomy – Intangible cultural heritage INGREDIENTS OF UNAWE• Material – Games, Cartoons, Songs, Hands-on material – Developed by professionals – Translated into various languages and cultures• Teacher Training – Coordinators in each target country – Tailored to each country and community• International Network – Platform for Outreach professionals and volunteers worldwide – Exchange of ideas, experience and materials 4

TIMELINE 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 PREPARATION DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION• 2009 – Several developing countries and EU member states – Activity for the International Year of Astronomy… Washington Charter on EPO• Washington Charter adopted in 2003 revised in 2005 applied in 2009?... 5

Washington CharterFor Funding Agencies [...] Encourage international collaboration on public outreach and communication activitiesFor Professional Astronomical Societies [...] Endorse standards for public outreach and communication Make public outreach and communication a visible and integral part of the activities and operations of the respective societies UNAWE as of October 2006 6

UNAWE, A GLOBAL INITIATIVE Team of >20 nationalities Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa (and neighbours?), Spain, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Venezuela PILOT PROJECTS 2006: VENEZUELA& TUNISIA• Venezuela – UNESCO Schools network – Astronomy community – Ministry of Science and Education• Tunisia – Science City – Teacher training and travelling “Astro-Bus” – Ministries of Family Affairs and of Education 7

PILOT PROJECTS 2007: COLOMBIA& INDIA• Colombia – Street Children – Amazonian forest orphans – Government programmes• India – Tamil Nadu Science Forum – Science popularisation Activists – Children, women, communities involved UNAWE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK• Numerous initiatives around the world – Often isolated – Growing interest and feedback for UNAWE• Platform for communication and community – Exchange of ideas, experiences, material – Announcements – Think-tank for bottom-up approach – Outlet for UNAWE ideas & materials – Inclusion of other partner countries – Independent spin-offs 8

UNAWE in SA• Diverse Communities – Rich cultures – Numerous languages• Similarities in needs – Across the country – With other UNAWE countries (India)• Existing Infrastructures and programmes• Ongoing Development (KAT, SKA, etc.)• Community development philosophy associated with large scientific projects It’s easy• Lunar Eclipse March 2007 – Skypecast• Sutherland - Preston April 2007 – Skype Video Chat 9

Concrete Project Plan• A group coordinating UNAWE - SA – Identify communities to involve – Identify means of delivery – Identify synergies with existing programmes• ==> Strategic plan• Dialogue with implementers – Also exploit the international dimension of UNAWE• Funding opportunities• Coordination with the International Office (Leiden, NL) Essentially any activity that specifically •Targets 4-10 year olds •Is inspirational rather than strictly educational •Reaches out to the underprivileged •Includes cultural & folkloric astronomy Is a UNAWE activity 10

Possible Benefits from UNAWE• International dimension – For Children – For Educators• Social agenda• Scientific culture• Democratisation of science• IYA 2009 Opportunity UNAWE SA• Human Development Index in AfricaSource: GlobalisSA plays aleadership rolein sub-saharanAfrica 11

MORE INFORMATION http://www.UNAWE.org/email odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl 12

Meeting of Astronomy Education and Public Outreach Stakeholders

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Meeting of Astronomy Education and Public Outreach Stakeholders Document Transcript