"South African National Science Week" C. Odman UNAWE in South Africa May 2007

1. UNIVERSE AWARENESS
Inspiring young children
Carolina Ödman
Cape Town, May 12, 2007
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 their perspective
– Enhance their understanding of the world
– Demonstrate the power of rational thought
• By hopefully broadening children’s minds, UNAWE aims
at stimulating tolerance and internationalism
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2. ASTRONOMY FOR PEACE
• Science • Multidisciplinary
– Investigation, curiosity – The big questions
– Ambassador for all
sciences
– Development of • FUN!
technology – Beautiful images
• Culture – Extreme conditions
– History – Unreachable yet
past & in the making! available to all
– Cultural heritage
Astronomy is Science
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3. Astronomy is culture & history
Astronomy is culture & history
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4. Astronomy is Fun!
SALT first light image
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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5. 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
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
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6. UNAWE as of October 2006
TIMELINE
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PREPARATION
DEVELOPMENT
IMPLEMENTATION
EVALUATION
• 2009 International Year of Astronomy…
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8. UNAWE in SA
• Diverse Communities
– Rich cultures
– Numerous languages
• Similarities in needs
– Across the country
– With other UNAWE countries (India)
• Existing Infrastructures and programmes
• Ongoing Development (KAT, SKA, etc.)
• Community development philosophy associated with large
scientific projects
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.UNAWE.org/
email odman@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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