"Universe Awareness - Inspiring Young Children" C. Odman Presented at: International Astronautical Congress (IAC) Touching Humanity: Space for Improving the Quality of Life Hyderabad, India September 2007

1. UNIVERSE AWARENESS
Inspiring Young Children
Dr. Carolina Ödman Hyderabad, September 27, 2007
carolina.odman@unawe.org
UNIVERSE AWARENESS (UNAWE)
• Initiative for a worldwide scientific culture.
• Expose very young (ages 4 - 10 years), underprivileged
children to the inspirational aspects of astronomy.
– Broaden the minds of the children
– Enhance their understanding of the world
– Demonstrate the power of independent thought
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2. 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
Astronomy for Peace Education
• Science • Multidisciplinary
– Investigation, curiosity – The big questions
– Ambassador for all
sciences
• FUN!
– Development of – Beautiful images
technology – Extreme conditions
• Culture – Unreachable yet
– History available to all
past & in the making!
– Cultural heritage
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3. GOALS OF UNAWE
• Communicate the beauty and scale of the
Universe to young 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 communities and educators
• Underprivileged children in diverse environments
• Exploits ethnic heritage and folkloric astronomy
– Intangible cultural heritage
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4. INGREDIENTS OF UNAWE
• Material
– Games, Cartoons, Songs, Hands-on material
– Developed by professionals
– Translated into various languages and cultures
• Teacher 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
TIMELINE
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PREPARATION
DEVELOPMENT
IMPLEMENTATION
EVALUATION
• 2009
– Several developing countries and EU member states
– Activity for the International Year of Astronomy…
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5. UNAWE Internationally
National Pilot Projects
• 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
• India
– TNSF, Pratham
• South Africa
– SALT Collateral Benefits programme, DST & SAASTA
• Colombia
– Private Initiative, MALOKA
• Indonesia
– BOBO Magazine, Students volunteersm Open days
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6. International Pilot Activities
• Lunar Eclipse March 2007
– Skypecast: ~ 15 countries 4 continents, ~ 60 people aged 7 - ...
– Easy to organise at short notice
• Sutherland, South Africa - Preston, UK April 2007
– Skype Video Chat between learners
• Cape Town, South Africa - Chennai,
India April 2007
– International National day
• Live Astronomy
– 3-way exchange: latitude & longitude
UNAWE International Network
• Numerous initiatives around the world
– Often isolated
– Growing interest and feedback for UNAWE
• Platform for communication and community
– Exchange of ideas, experiences, material
– Announcements
– Think-tank for bottom-up approach
– Outlet for UNAWE ideas & materials
– Inclusion of other partner countries
– Independent spin-offs
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7. MORE INFORMATION
http://www.UNAWE.org/
carolina.odman@unawe.org
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