1 UNIVERSE AWARENESS UNAWE Carolina Carolina Ödman Ödman odman@strw odman@strw. leidenuniv leidenuniv. nl nl Planetarium through ages: Planetarium through ages: http://www. http://www. unawe unawe.org/ .org/ Vision 2027 Vision 2027 Mumbai, March 20 2007 Mumbai, March 20 2007 • Initiative for a worldwide scientific culture. • Expose very young (ages 4 - 10 years), underprivileged children 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 help stimulate tolerance and internationalism UNIVERSE AWARENESS (UNAWE)
Presented at: Planetarium Through Ages: Vision 2027 Conference of Indian Planetaria held in celebration of the 30 year anniversary of the Birla Planetarium in Mumbai.
Mumbai, India March 2007
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UNIVERSE AWARENESSUUNNAAWWEE
Carolina Carolina Ödman Ödman odman@[email protected] through ages:Planetarium through ages: http://www. http://www.unaweunawe.org/.org/
Vision 2027Vision 2027
Mumbai, March 20 2007Mumbai, March 20 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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Why is Astronomy suited forPeace Education?
• Science– Investigation, curiosity– Ambassador for all
sciences– Development of
technology
• 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
• 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 diverse
human 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)