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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), underprivileged children to inspirational aspects of astronomy Broaden young formative minds Awaken curiosity in science Stimulate world citizenship
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Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

May 11, 2015

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"Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe"
C. Odman

Presented at: First Middle East-Africa, Regional IAU Meeting
Cairo, Egypt
Date: April 8, 2008
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Page 1: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 2: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 3: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 4: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 5: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful 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

Page 6: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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...

Page 7: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 8: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 9: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 10: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 11: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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!

Page 12: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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.

Page 13: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

Page 14: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful 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

Page 15: Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children with the Beautiful Universe

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

[email protected]