UNIVERSE AWARENESS Inspiring Young Children CORNERSTONE PROJECT for IYA 2009 Sarah Levin Universe Awareness Athens, October 9, 2007

Is ‘Hubble’ really a household word? Astronomy outreach programmes successfully convey the excitement of science to the public Popular Numerous Diverse Limited

ASTRONOMY OUTREACH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SAAO/SALT space camps IUCCA- Children’s Science Centre Global Hands on Universe

Initiative for a worldwide scientific culture. Exposes very young (ages ) disadvantaged children to the inspirational aspects of astronomy. Aims to Broaden their world view Awaken the scientific mind Stimulate internationalism and tolerance UNIVERSE AWARENESS (UNAWE)

Inspiring children with their beautiful universe Local context Ethno-astronomical heritage Regional folklore Cultural pride Plus Exposure to alternative views Affirmation of commonality

Why very young disadvantaged children Basic knowledge of the universe is a birthright Ages are crucial for critical thinking and a personal/social value system Benefit most from ECCE Early intervention increases chances of continuing basic education Includes support and education of carers ‘Poor ’ communities have ‘rich’ skies UN Millennium Development Goals ( MDGs ) Universal Primary Education Gender Equality in Primary School

MEGA CONCEPTS “The universe is everything you see, you know, or you can imagine exists around us, as far as you can possibly think” Vasiliki Spiliotopoulos

INITIAL KNOWLEDGE Not blank slates Innate, naïve and observed understanding

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY Learning from birth Different ways of knowing Birthdays

Dr Spitzer and M51 (JPL)

UNAWE Approach to developing materials Inspiration is paramount -Emphasis on play and fun Bottom-up approach - Driven by the needs of the local communities and educators –Delivered using local means of transmission –Local means of production/distribution The advantage of diversity

Ingredients of UNAWE Materials –Games, Cartoons, Activities –Developed by educators –Produced/translated into various languages Teacher Training –Coordinators in each target country –Tailored to each country and community International Network –Platform for Outreach professionals and volunteers worldwide –Exchange ideas, experience and materials

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, Student volunteers, Open days

INDIA TNSF/Pratham Who- street kids, child labourers, informal education, the ‘nowhere’ children. How Holistic literacy, health, hygiene campaigns What -street theatre,traditional song cycles, backs of buses, comics Respect/ sensitivity to local cultural rule Eclipse Awareness campaigns

Motivated community of self-taught astronomers Experience with street kids Local entrepreneur COLOMBIA

VENEZUELA ( Refer to Dr. Cecilia de Scorza) -Teacher training workshops - Gov’t policy conducive to science outreach to the poor

SOUTH AFRICA Strong movement promoting indigenous role models DST committed to communicating astronomy

TUNISIA City of Sciences Science Caravan Gov’t organized youth clubs Teacher training workshops

International Pilot Activities Lunar Eclipse March 2007 –Skypecast: ~ 15 countries 4 continents, ~ 60 people aged –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 and IYA 2009 Full implementation by 2009 ‘The Universe in a Box’ (incl ‘Galileoscope’) Books, songs, posters, games Cartoons, adventure animation films UNAWE-produced -adopted -recommended

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