"Universe Awareness in the UK: it's all about opportunities" C. Odman Presented at: National Astronomy Meeting, UK 2007 Preston, United Kingdom April 2007

1. UNIVERSE AWARENESS in the UK
It’s all about opportunities
Carolina Ödman RAS National Astronomy Meeting
carolina.odman@unawe.org University of Central Lancashire
April 17, 2007
UNAWE Philosophy
• 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
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2. 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
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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3. INGREDIENTS OF UNAWE
• Material
Games, cartoons, songs, hands-on material
• Entertaining and developed by professionals (ECD/didactics)
• Translated into various languages and cultures
• Training
• Dialogue, dissemination, feedback, evaluation
• Tailored to each country and community
• International Network
• Communication between teachers and development professionals
worldwide
• Exchange of ideas, experience and materials
• Coordination of independent initiatives
UNAWE as of October 2006
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4. UK Opportunities
• Cultural Background
Reference: Wikipedia, 2001 Census
Education
UNAWE age group
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5. Education
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/
Opportunity in the UK
• Astronomy community
– History and heritage
– Cutting-edge research
– Participation in technology development
– Worldwide visibility
– IYA 2009
• Sociology
– Cultural diversity and social agenda
– Recognised need for science education
• Needs stimulating at an early age
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6. Washington Charter on EPO
• Washington Charter adopted in 2003
revised in 2005
applied in 2009?...
Washington Charter
For Funding Agencies
[...]
Encourage international collaboration on public outreach
and communication activities
For Professional Astronomical Societies
[...]
Endorse standards for public outreach and communication
Make public outreach and communication a visible and
integral part of the activities and operations of the
respective societies
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7. Astronomy Outreach Funding
• STFC
– The Science and Society programme forms part of STFC's
overall communications strategy, involving public engagement
and public accountability.
• RAS
– Committed to Education Challenge:
• Royal Society
.. Curriculum...
• Institute of Physics
• Private sources
• c.f. this afternoon
Discussion this afternoon
From 16:00 onwards
• Goal: Form a group to start UNAWE UK with the
following objectives
– Young children (4 - 10)
– Underprivileged (marginalised communities)
– Inspirational rather than educational programme
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8. Concrete Project Plan
• A group coordinating UNAWE - UK
– Identify communities to involve
– Identify means of delivery
– Identify synergies with existing programmes
• ==> Strategic plan
• Dialogue with implementers
– Also exploit the international dimension of UNAWE
• Funding opportunities
• Coordination with the International Office (Leiden, NL)
Benefits
• International dimension
– For Children
– For Educators
• Social agenda
• Scientific culture
• Democratisation of science
• IYA 2009 Opportunity
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9. Tomorrow morning
• Video exchange between SALT communities and
Harris Primary School in Preston ~30 minutes
• What is your name?
• Where are you from / Where are you now? (Country)
• What grade are you in?
• How old are you?
• What is the weather like over there? (hot/cold)
• What season are you having?
• When is your summer/winter? (what month is hottest/coldest)
• What time is it there?
• What time does it get dark over there? (sunrise? Sunset?)
• What time does it get dark in other seasons?
• Does it snow there in winter?
• Does it rain a lot? When does it rain more? Summer/Winter?
• Do you have lots of trees? Big? Green? Vegetation?
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