UNIVERSE AWARENESSUUNNAAWWEE

Carolina Ödman Carolina Ödman odman@strw.leidenuniv.nlodman@strw.leidenuniv.nl

http://www.unawe.org/http://www.unawe.org/

IYA 2009, Garching, March 2 - 4, 2007IYA 2009, Garching, March 2 - 4, 2007

GOALS of UNAWE

• Expose very young (4 - 10) underprivileged children to inspirational aspects of astronomy.– Broaden their perspectives– Enhance their understanding of the world– Demonstrate the power of rational thought

• By broadening children’s minds, UNAWE will help stimulate tolerance and internationalism

Astronomy for Peace

• Science– Investigation, curiosity

– Ambassador for all sciences

– Development of technology

• Culture– History (past and in the making*)

– Cultural heritage

• Multidisciplinary– The big questions

• FUN!– Beautiful images– Extreme conditions– Unreachable yet available to all

Anniversaries:

1609 & 1619: Kepler publishes his two laws!1919: Eddington travels to Principe and demonstrates Einstein’s newly published relativity by observing a solar eclipse1929: Hubble identifies Andormeda as a galaxy1929: Hubble discovers the expansion of the Universe1939: Hans Bethe proposes nuclear fusion as stellar combustion process1989: COBE launched1989: Hipparcos launched (Gaia 2011)

History in the making:2009: NigeriaSAT2 launch

MOTIVATION

• Beauty and size of the Universe excite young children

–Not only education programme!

• Basic knowledge of the Universe is a birthright

INGREDIENTS

• MaterialGames, cartoons, songs, hands-on material

• Entertaining and developed by professionals • 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

Development Philosophy• Bottom-up approach

– Participatory

• Diverse environments– Basic, intermediate, advanced– Europe (e.g. inner cities) and Emerging countries

• Modular and flexible– Child development

• Will foster ethnic heritage of astronomy– Intangible cultural heritage– Ownership

Pilot Activities

• 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

TIMELINE

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013PREPARATIONPREPARATION

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION

EVALUATIONEVALUATIONIYA2009

Same timeline as IYA2009Vision: Long-term sustainability

Implementation

• Present active UNAWE participation– Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Venezuela

– Participation in an international programme gives a high profile (Astronomy in non IAU countries)

• Work with existing programmes– Foster experience and infrastructure to spread the UNAWE philosphy

– Amateurs, etc.

What can you do?

• Involve your communities– astronomers, pro & amateurs, education, etc.

• Full participation:– Identification of people & potential funding

• Join the Network:– All material will be made available

• Collection of available material for very young children

• Collection of myths and legends

Global 2009 activities

• Count the stars• Tell stories• Sing a song about the sky• Astronomy and art• Online hook-ups (e.g. Eclipse tonight)• Class twinning• etc• Please stay in touch to know more!

CONCLUSIONS

• UNAWE combines social and educational aims

• There is need for such a programme

• Everyone can take part

• Nationally driven efforts

• AIM: Implement UNAWE in 2009

http://www.unawe.org/

Contact me:Carolina Ödman

Odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl