Universe Awareness (UNAWE) is an initiative aimed at inspiring underprivileged children aged 4-10 through astronomy, enhancing their understanding of the universe and rational thought. The program focuses on using the beauty and scale of astronomy to foster cognitive development, cultural awareness, and world citizenship. UNAWE operates through a global network of educators and volunteers, providing diverse educational materials and training tailored to local communities.

1. UNIVERSE AWARENESS
Inspiring Young Children
Carolina Ödman Johannesburg, May 7, 2007
carolina.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
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2. 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
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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?...
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6. Washington Charter
For Funding Agencies
[...]
Encourage international collaboration on public outreach
and communication activities
For 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
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7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. 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 Africa
Source: Globalis
SA plays a
leadership role
in sub-saharan
Africa
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12. MORE INFORMATION
http://www.UNAWE.org/
email odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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