Universe Awareness Presentation

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UNIVERSE AWARENESS UUNNAAWWEE

THANKS

• Professor Ramanujan

• IMSc - Institute of Mathematical Sciences

• TNSF - Tamil-Nadu Science Forum

– UNAWE philosophy very similar

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WHAT IS UNIVERSE AWARENESS?

Programme that will

Expose DISADVANTAGED young children (4 – 10)

to INSPIRATIONAL aspects of astronomy

“UN-AWE”

GOALS• By exposing very young (4 - 10 years), underprivileged

children to inspirational aspects of astronomy.

– Broaden their perspective

– Enhance their understanding of the world

– Demonstrate the power of rational thought

• By broadening children’s perspective, UNAWE is intended

to help stimulate tolerance and internationalism

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MOTIVATION

• Beauty and size of the Universe excite young

children and stimulate their imagination

– J. B. S. Haldane (1927)

“The Universe is not only queerer than we suppose, butqueerer than we can suppose.”

e.g. Hubble images

CRADLE OF STARS

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EXPLODING STARS IN DEATH CONVULSIONS

“CATS-EYE” NEBULA

Dying star throws off shell of glowing gas

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CRAB NEBULA – REMNANT OF A DEAD STAR

LETS TRAVEL OUTSIDE OUR MILKY WAY GALAXY

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GALAXY OF A BILLION STARS

CENTRE OF A GALAXY

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COLLIDING GALAXIES

“SPIDERWEB GALAXY”

10.6 billion light years from Earth

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY(UK Nursery Rhyme, Mary Howitt, 1821)

“Will you walk into myparlour?" said the Spider tothe Fly,

'Tis the prettiest littleparlour that ever you did

spy;

Oh no, no," said the littleFly, "to ask me is in vain,

For who goes up yourwinding stair can ne'ercome down again."GALAXY BECOMES LARGE AND MASSIVE MONSTER

BY “EATING UP” MANY SMALL GALAXIES

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MOTIVATION

• Beauty and size of the Universe excite young children

• Basic knowledge of the Universe is a birthright

• Knowledge about the Universe broadens the mind

• Ages 4 - 10 are crucial for child development

• Most need for economically disadvantaged children

INGREDIENTS• Material

– Games, cartoons, songs, hands-on material• Entertaining and developed by professionals• Translated into various languages and cultures

• Training– Tailored to each country and community– Involve teachers, activists, parents, family, community leaders

• International Network– Platform for teachers and development professionals worldwide

• Exchange of ideas, experience and materials

– World-wide programme enhances effectiveness• Whole greater than sum of parts

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DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY - 1• Will target children in diverse environments

– Basic, intermediate, advanced– Europe (e.g. inner cities) and emerging countries

• Modular and phased– Will take account of stages in child development (e.g. Piaget)

• Will be bottoms up– Driven by the needs of educators in participating countries

and organisations

• Inspiration paramount– Emphasis on play, entertainment and humour

• TSNF philosophy

DEVELOPMENT PHILOSOPHY - 2

• General approach to stimulate awareness of– Earth, sky, sun, planets, solar system, galaxy,

Universe• diverse human family, beauty, scales, adventure

• Will exploit ethnic heritage of astronomy– Intangible cultural heritage

– Helps enhance self-esteem

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Ireland, Newgrange, 4500 BC

England, Stonehenge, 3100 BC

Egypt, Nabta 4300 BC

Egypt, Karnak, 2000 BC

Inner Mongolia, Baimiaozi, 4000 BC

MEGALITHIC “ASTRONOMY”

Japan, Kanayama ~ 3000 - 4000 BC

Cambodia, Angkor Wat, 1000 ADPeru, Macchu Piccu, 1000 AD

Brazil, Calcoene, 700 AD China, Gaocheng, 1279 AD

Easter Island, 1460 AD

Mexico, Chichen Itza, ~ 1100 AD

SOME EARLY “OBSERVATORIES”

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UNAWE - FROM IDEA TO FULL PROGRAMME -1

• February 2004: Initial Discussion with ESO

• May 2005: First UNAWE Workshop– ESO, Garching, Germany

• September 2005: Appointment of UNAWE Coordinator at Leiden– Dr. Carolina Ödman

• 2005 – 2006: Endorsements– Institutions

• 12, including 4 international orgnisations– Individuals

• Including 3 Nobel Prize winners, Prof. Federico Mayor, Sir BobGeldhof

UNAWE - FROM IDEA TO FULL PROGRAMME - 2

• 2006: Feasibility of Universe Awareness proven

– Successful pilot projects

– Enormous worldwide enthusiasm and interest

– Potential sources of international and national funding

• 22 August 2006: Official Launch Of Universe Awareness

– General Assembly of International Astronomical Union

Mentioned specifically in inaugural address by Catherine Cezarsky, incoming President IAU and DG, ESO

Cornerstone of IAU/ UNESCO International Year of Astronomy 2009

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UNAWE - FROM IDEA TO FULL PROGRAMME - 3

• October 2006: Funding for Development– Netherlands Minister for Education, Culture & Science

– 2 positions for 3 years

» Project Manager, Materials Coordinator

• 2007 -2009: Development

Seek funding for implementation

• 2009 - : Implementation and evaluation

TIMELINE

• 2009 (International Year of Astronomy)– At least 4 emerging countries and 4 EU member states

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013PREPARATIONPREPARATION

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION

EVALUATIONEVALUATION

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• Goals: SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL + SCIENTIFIC

• Demonstrated need

• Considerable international support

• Funding for DEVELOPMENT

• Promising funding possibilities for IMPLEMENTATION

• Implementation of full programme in several countries

from 2009

SUMMARY - UNAWE

FINALLY

• India + TNSF are important partners

• UNAWE philosophy similar to TNSF

– TNSF lessons relevant outside India

• Workshop programme is exciting

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QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?

http://www.UniverseAwareness.org/