3. South African Astronomical Observatory Mission: to perform research in astronomy; To provide an international facility in Africa for such research; to educate and inform the community Total staff: 117 Scientists: Physics Astronomy Mathematics Engineers/Technicians Electronics Mechanical Optical Science Educators History: dates from 1820 HQ: Cape Town, Western Cape Observing Facilities: Sutherland, Northern Cape
4. Sutherland: Good, dark astronomical site; used by SAAO for 30 years Aseasonal with 75% nights useable Median seeing of 0.9 arcsec ~1800 m altitude Where is Sutherland? SAAO & SALT HQ SAAO: Host institution and SALT operator.
10. White Paper on Science and Technology 1996 “Scientific endeavour is not purely utilitarian in its objectives and has important associated cultural and social values … Not to offer ‘flagship’ sciences (such as physics and astronomy) would be to take a negative view of our future - the view that we are a second class nation, chained forever to the treadmill of feeding and clothing ourselves.”
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12. SA and EUNAWE Importance of Astronomy and Space for South Africa Importance of EU-South Africa Collaboration Expertise in exploiting science and technology for education and capacity building South Africa: a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa UNAWE is a priority in South Africa
15. Manager, SALT Collateral Benefits Programme: SivuyileManxoyi Cape Town Sutherland Education Officer Sutherland: Marilize du Plessis Education Officer Cape Town: Sivuyile Manxoyi Public Outreach Officer: Thembela Mantungwa Visitor Centre and Logistics Officer: Karel Klein Technical and New Media Support: Veronique Kazie-Ravat Receptionist (contract): Claudine Vernooi Night Tour Guide (contract): Glenda Stoffels Outreach Astronomer: EnricoOlivier Day Tour Guide (contract): Dave O Hearns Logistics Support: Cedric Jacobs Administrative Support: Natalie Jones Weekend Tour Guide (contract): Willem Prins Weekend Shop Assistant (contract): Juliana September Yellow = Education Blue = Public Awareness Red = Community Development Black = All of above
16. Management, Stakeholder relations, International Strategy Manager: SCBP Socio-economic Development Strategy Admin Officer Sutherland Manager Education officer Tour guide Weekend / Holiday receptionist and shop assistant Visitor centre and logistics officer Receptionist and bookings officer Education officer Public outreach officer Facilities and logistics officer Public outreach astronomer Technology coordinator Tour guide Tour guide Education Strategy Public Awareness Strategy Proposed Structure Cape Town Sutherland Yellow = Education Blue = Public Awareness Red = Community Development Black = All of above
41. South African Agency for Science and Technology AdvancementGAUTENG: Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory SKA/MeerKAT Johannesburg Planetarium Johannesburg Observatory Scibono Discovery Centre ASSA Pretoria ASSA Johannesburg FREE STATE Boyden Observatory ASSA Bloemfontein WESTERN CAPE Iziko Planetarium (Cape Town) MTN Sciencentre Hermanus Magnetic Observatory ASSA Cape Town ASSA Garden Route LIMPOPO University of Limpopo Science Centre Giyani Science Centre
43. Education SOUTHERN AFRICAN LARGE TELESCOPE Sutherland schools extra classes Chemical cleanup in Northern Cape Science shows and workshops in Karoo Hoogland Science centre in Sutherland After school learning facility in Sutherland Educator workshops (UCT, US, UWC) Astronomy in libraries project Langa township project National Science Week Sasol TechnoX (award winning workshops) World Space Week Astronomy Quiz (winners in both provinces; finals at SAAO) NRF Western Cape collaboration UNAWE outreach – SA, Australia, Netherlands event
45. Public Awareness SOUTHERN AFRICAN LARGE TELESCOPE Sutherland, Williston, Fraserburg festivals Sutherland science centre for public Sutherland development centre SKA Undergrad programme Langa Township Astronomy Project Franschoekoutdoor festival Namibian Science Week Science Centre Accreditation Project AMNH input into visitor facilities Open nights Astro-Picnics Telescopes on Lion’s Head Telescopes on the beach
47. Sutherland, Northern Cape Rural SA 3800 people 80% unemployment Alcohol abuse Teen pregnancies Domestic violence Overcrowded housing Racial divides
48. SOUTHERN AFRICAN LARGE TELESCOPE Socio-Economic Development Tourism festivals Tourism route Sutherland drug and alcohol awareness programme Sutherland Youth Club programme Inter-governmental forum Sutherland Reflections (Art meets Science) Tech ops development plan “Science, Technology and Community development centre” in Sutherland jobs surrounding the centre; establishment of Management Board; MOA signed; construction underway; public meetings
57. Tasks for EUNAWE T1: Train and empower primary school teachers in each partner country to provide inspiring lessons to young children, involving the Universe and space. T2: Develop, translate and disseminate hands-on and inquiry-base educational resources in each of the partner countries, emphasising European and South African science and technology. T3: Provide a network for the exchange of expertise and material between educators of young children in EU member states, Associated Countries and International Cooperation Partner Countries.
58. Tasks for EUNAWE T4: Expose substantial numbers of young children in the 6 participating countries to awareness of the Universe, emphasizing astronomy and space sciences for developing perspective and an appreciation of the rational method. T5: Foster interaction and exchange of best practice between professional scientists and primary level educators. T6: Develop indicators and evaluation instruments for the programme and evaluate EUNAWE.
59. Current Status Press releases Funds have been received Financial management systems put into place Collaborators informed Project Manager advert sent through due process Presentation of project at DST 18th April 2011
60. Basic 2011 Timeline End May, early June: PM appointed June: Announcements and press releases June: Communication with SA collaborators July: Materials consolidation August: Teacher workshop preparation End September: Implementation October: Followup November: International workshop attendance
61. EUNAWE South Africa South African Astronomical Observatory, a facility of the National Research Foundation