IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Universe Awareness for Young Children
Dr. C.J.Ödman,
Prof. G. K.Miley
Leiden Observatory
The Netherlands
contact: [email protected]
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
What is Universe Awareness?
• Expose very young (4 - 10 years), underprivilegedchildren to inspirational aspects of astronomy
• Broaden young formative minds
• Awaken curiosity in science
• Stimulate world citizenship
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE: Background
• IYA Cornerstone Project with long-term vision
• First International programme to target– very young children
– underprivileged
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PREPARATIONPREPARATION
DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT
IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION
EVALUATIONEVALUATION
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Motivation
• Beauty and size of the Universe excite youngchildren
• Basic knowledge about Universe is a birthright
• Knowledge about theUniverse broadens the mind
• Ages 4 - 10 are crucial forchild development
• Most need for economicallydisadvantaged children
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Why astronomy for young children?
• Astronomy is Science
• Astronomy is Culture and Human Development
• Astronomy is High-tech
• Astronomy stimulates imagination
• Astronomy is universal
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leadsus from this world to another.
Plato
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Goals of UNAWE
• Communicate the beauty and scale of theUniverse to young children– Excite stimulate their curiosity
– Help develop a “world view”
• Use inspirational astronomy to develop cognitiveskills
• Reach large numbers of children
• United Nations Millennium Development Goals– Universal Primary Education
– Gender Equality in Primary School
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
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 our place in the Universe– Close environment:
• The Earth, the Sun, The Planets etc.
– Distant environment:• Solar system, galaxy, the Universe
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Ingredients of UNAWE
• Materials– Children’s books, Cartoons,
Posters developed by professionals
– Activities, Hands-on materialsdeveloped,sourced and disseminated acrossthe network
– Translated into various languages
• 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
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Characteristics of UNAWE
• Underprivileged children in diverse environments
• Modular and phased: Takes account of stages inchild development
• Adapted to local environments
• Exploits ethnic and historic heritage of astronomy:Tangible and Intangible cultural heritage
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Various environments
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Astronomy Heritage
Egypt, Nabta
4300 BCInner Mongolia, Baimiaozi,
4000 BC
Japan, Kanayama
~ 3000 - 4000 BC
China, Gaocheng,
1279 AD
Mexico, Chichen Itza,
~ 1100 AD
National Astronomical
Observatory in Iraq
20th Century...
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Astronomy Heritage
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Astronomy Heritage
European Southern Observatory 1998
Hubble Space Telescope 2004
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Some methods employed in UNAWE
• Direct observations– Familiarisation
• Hands-on activities– Appropriation
• Playing and singing storiesand myths– Experience
• Twinning activities, interactive software– Exchange and real-life experience
• Large input from local cultures
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Local/Regional/National Coordination
• Local Coordinators– Central contact point
– Bottom-up approach:Stimulate ownership
• Role– Supervise programme in specific region
– Maintain contact with schools and teachers
– Take part in the development and the evaluation of UNAWE
• Practical Aspects: Approach differs for each region
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Active UNAWE groups
Indonesia, India, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia,Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium,United Kingdom, Ireland, Bermuda, Venezuela,Colombia, Chile
Serbia Turkey Lesotho Egypt?
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in Germany
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in Colombia
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in India
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in Venezuela
VIDEO!
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in Kenya
VIDEO!
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in Tunisia
See posterTalk to Amine Abdellatif who is here today VIDEO!
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE Internationally
• Internet exchanges - Skypecasts– Lunar Eclipse 2007:
• South Africa - Germany + 10 countries
– Lunar Eclipse 2008:• Bilingual
• Bermuda - South Africa - South & North America
• Single events between classrooms– Languages
– Times, seasons, internationalise national events
– Accents, Habits, Friends, etc.
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE Internationally
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE‘s contribution to Astronomy development
• Astronomy transcending disciplines
• Prepare children for science later in education
• Awareness raising, scientific culture influencing decisionmakers
• Human context
• Human heritage & internationalism (attitudes & opportunities)
• Feeling of being astronomers
• Contact between astronomers and the public
• Spaceship Earth our Home in the Universe
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE‘s contribution to Astronomy development
UNAWE is a community
• Growing pool of enthusiasts
• Contributing educational materials
• Spreading awareness and enthusiasm for astronomy
• Sharing expertise in education and child development
• Interfacing with education systems, amateur astronomers,science museums, other outreach programmes
• Mobilising volunteers
• Support for astronomy
• Learn by doing astronomy
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in brief
• International
• Spreading interest for astronomy and sciencewhere it has the biggest impact: very youngchildren
• Gives astronomy a good image:– A very human science
– Connection to roots in earliest civilisations
– Contribution to social good
– Mobilisation of people
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
How to make it happen?
Essentially any astronomy outreach activity that• Targets 4-10 year olds• Is inspirational rather than strictly educational• Reaches out to the underprivileged• Acknowledges and includes cultural & folkloric
astronomy
is a UNAWE activity
> Background information> UNAWE Handbook
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Conclusion
• Importance of appreciation of science andawareness of our environment by the nextgeneration
• Astronomy - ambassador of human achievementeasily accessible, fun and entertaining for youngchildren
• UNAWE helps form– Broad, curious, inquisitive and inspired minds
– Aware of others and appreciating cultural diversity
– Aware of our place in the Universe