1

UNIVERSE AWARENESS in the UKIt’s all about opportunities

Carolina Ödmancarolina.odman@unawe.org

RAS National Astronomy MeetingUniversity of Central LancashireApril 17, 2007

UNAWE Philosophy

• 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

2

• 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

Astronomy for Peace Education

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

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

4

UK Opportunities

• Cultural Background

Reference: Wikipedia, 2001 Census

Education

UNAWE age group

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

6

Washington Charter on EPO

• Washington Charter adopted in 2003revised in 2005applied in 2009?...

Washington Charter

For Funding Agencies[...]

Encourage international collaboration on public outreachand communication activities

For Professional Astronomical Societies[...]Endorse standards for public outreach and communication

Make public outreach and communication a visible andintegral part of the activities and operations of therespective societies

7

Astronomy Outreach Funding

• STFC– The Science and Society programme forms part of STFC's

overall communications strategy, involving public engagementand public accountability.

• RAS– Committed to Education

• Royal Society

• Institute of Physics

• Private sources

• c.f. this afternoon

Challenge:

.. Curriculum...

Discussion this afternoon

From 16:00 onwards

• Goal: Form a group to start UNAWE UK with thefollowing objectives– Young children (4 - 10)

– Underprivileged (marginalised communities)

– Inspirational rather than educational programme

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

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?