universe awareness

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UNIVERSE AWARENESS

UUNNAAWWEECarolina Carolina Ödman Ödman odman@strwodman@strw..leidenunivleidenuniv..nlnl

http://www.http://www.unaweunawe.org/.org/Royal AstronomicalRoyal Astronomical Society, Society,

London, March 9 2007London, March 9 2007

• Initiative for a worldwide scientific culture.

• Expose very young (ages 4 - 10 years), underprivilegedchildren 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 helpstimulate tolerance and internationalism

UNIVERSE AWARENESS (UNAWE)

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ASTRONOMY FOR PEACE EDUCATION

• Science– Investigation, curiosity

– Ambassador for allsciences

– Development oftechnology

• Culture– History

past & in the making!

– Cultural heritage

• Multidisciplinary

– The big questions

• FUN!

– Beautiful images

– Extreme conditions

– Unreachable yetavailable to all

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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GOALS OF UNAWE

• Communicate the beauty and scale of the Universe toyoung 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 diversehuman family

– Awareness of the Sun, planets, solar system, galaxy, Universe

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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 andtheir astronomy

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• 2009

– At least 4 Emerging countries and 4 EU member states

– International Year of Astronomy…

TIMELINE

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

PREPARATIONPREPARATION

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION

EVALUATIONEVALUATION

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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UNAWE, A GLOBAL INITIATIVE

• EU:Ireland, Italy, Netherlands,

Spain, United Kingdom

• Non-EU:Chile, Colombia, India,

Indonesia, South Africa,

Tunisia, Venezuela

Team of >20 nationalities with many teachers

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 existinginstruments– Target group: 4 - 10, underprivileged

– Philosophy: Astronomy as a tool for peace

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HOPE TO SEE YOU AT NAM 2007

http://www.unawe.org/

email odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl