This document describes Universe Awareness (UNAWE), an initiative to expose underprivileged children ages 4-10 to astronomy. UNAWE aims to broaden children's perspectives and stimulate tolerance using inspirational astronomy lessons. It has run pilot programs in Venezuela and Tunisia and involves educators from over 20 countries developing culturally-relevant astronomy materials. UNAWE seeks to reach large numbers of children and support the UN's education goals through a bottom-up approach driven by local needs.

1. UNIVERSE AWARENESS
UNAWE
Carolina Ödman odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl
odman@strw. leidenuniv.
http://www.unawe.org/
http://www.unawe.org/
Royal Astronomical Society,
London, March 9 2007
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 their perspective
– Enhance their understanding of the world
– Demonstrate the power of rational thought
• By broadening children’s minds, UNAWE will help
stimulate tolerance and internationalism
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2. 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
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
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3. GOALS OF UNAWE
• Communicate the beauty and scale of the Universe to
young children
– Excite and broaden their perspectives
– 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. INGREDIENTS OF UNAWE
• Material
Games, cartoons, songs, hands-on material
• Entertaining and developed by professionals (ECD/didactics)
• Translated into various languages and cultures
• Training
• Dialogue, dissemination, feedback, evaluation
• Tailored to each country and community
• International Network
• Communication between teachers and development
professionals worldwide
• Exchange of ideas, experience and materials
• Coordination of independant initatives
PROGRAMME
• Modular: Occupy few contact hours per year upwards
• Adapted: Languages and cultures of target groups
• Stimulating: Must cultivate imagination
• Professional: Must be developed by professionals
• Strong message: Uniform characters and settings
• Culturally relevant: Involve indigenous cultures and
their astronomy
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5. TIMELINE
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PREPARATION
DEVELOPMENT
IMPLEMENTATION
EVALUATION
• 2009
– At least 4 Emerging countries and 4 EU member states
– International Year of Astronomy…
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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6. UNAWE, A GLOBAL INITIATIVE
Team of >20 nationalities with many teachers
• EU:
Ireland, Italy, Netherlands,
Spain, United Kingdom
• Non-EU:
Chile, Colombia, India,
Indonesia, South Africa,
Tunisia, Venezuela
UNAWE in the UK
• UK situation:
– Very multicultural
– Marginalised urban communities
• Large number of excellent outreach initatives
– Capitalise on expertise and experience
– Existing networks/programmes
– Unifying efforts for 2009
• UNAWE can complement and piggy-back on existing
instruments
– Target group: 4 - 10, underprivileged
– Philosophy: Astronomy as a tool for peace
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7. HOPE TO SEE YOU AT NAM 2007
http://www.unawe.org/
email odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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