Universe Awareness for Young Children (UNAWE) is a program that exposes underprivileged children ages 4-10 to inspirational aspects of astronomy. It aims to broaden young minds, stimulate curiosity in science, and promote world citizenship. UNAWE began in 2004 and is currently being implemented in several countries through inspirational materials, teacher training, and an international network for sharing ideas. The program uses hands-on activities and local cultural references to astronomy to engage children in an fun, educational way.

1. Universe Awareness for Young Children
Dr. C.J.Ödman,
Prof. G. K.Miley
Leiden Observatory
The Netherlands
contact: carolina.odman@unawe.org
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
What is Universe Awareness?
• Expose very young (4 - 10 years), underprivileged
children to inspirational aspects of astronomy
• Broaden young formative minds
• Awaken curiosity in science
• Stimulate world citizenship
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

2. UNAWE: Background
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
PREPARATION
DEVELOPMENT
IMPLEMENTATION
EVALUATION
• IYA Cornerstone Project with long-term vision
• First International programme to target
– very young children
– underprivileged
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Motivation
• Beauty and size of the Universe excite young
children
• Basic knowledge about Universe is a birthright
• Knowledge about the
Universe broadens the mind
• Ages 4 - 10 are crucial for
child development
• Most need for economically
disadvantaged children
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

3. Why astronomy for young children?
• Astronomy is Science
• Astronomy is Culture and Human Development
• Astronomy is High-tech
• Astronomy stimulates imagination
• Astronomy is universal
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Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads
us from this world to another.
Plato
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

4. Goals of UNAWE
• Communicate the beauty and scale of the
Universe to young children
– Excite stimulate their curiosity
– Help develop a “world view”
• Use inspirational astronomy to develop cognitive
skills
• Reach large numbers of children
• United Nations Millennium Development Goals
– Universal Primary Education
– Gender Equality in Primary School
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Principles of UNAWE
• Inspiration is paramount
– Emphasis on play and entertainment
• Bottom-up approach
– Driven by the needs of the local cultures and educators
• General approach
– Earth awareness and citizenship,
membership of a diverse human family
• Awareness of our place in the Universe
– Close environment:
• The Earth, the Sun, The Planets etc.
– Distant environment:
• Solar system, galaxy, the Universe
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

5. Ingredients of UNAWE
• Materials
– Children’s books, Cartoons,
Posters developed by professionals
– Activities, Hands-on materials
developed,
sourced and disseminated across
the network
– Translated into various languages
• 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
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Characteristics of UNAWE
• Underprivileged children in diverse environments
• Modular and phased: Takes account of stages in
child development
• Adapted to local environments
• Exploits ethnic and historic heritage of astronomy:
Tangible and Intangible cultural heritage
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

6. Various environments
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Astronomy Heritage
Inner Mongolia, Baimiaozi, Egypt, Nabta Japan, Kanayama
4000 BC 4300 BC ~ 3000 - 4000 BC
National Astronomical
Observatory in Iraq
20th Century...
Mexico, Chichen Itza, China, Gaocheng,
~ 1100 AD 1279 AD
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7. Astronomy Heritage
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Astronomy Heritage
European Southern Observatory 1998
Hubble Space Telescope 2004
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

8. Some methods employed in UNAWE
• Direct observations
– Familiarisation
• Hands-on activities
– Appropriation
• Playing and singing stories
and myths
– Experience
• Twinning activities, interactive software
– Exchange and real-life experience
• Large input from local cultures
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Local/Regional/National Coordination
• Local Coordinators
– Central contact point
– Bottom-up approach:
Stimulate ownership
• Role
– Supervise programme in specific region
– Maintain contact with schools and teachers
– Take part in the development and the evaluation of UNAWE
• Practical Aspects: Approach differs for each region
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

9. Active UNAWE groups
Indonesia, India, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium,
United Kingdom, Ireland, Bermuda, Venezuela,
Colombia, Chile
Serbia Turkey Lesotho Egypt?
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UNAWE in Germany
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10. UNAWE in Colombia
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UNAWE in India
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11. UNAWE in Venezuela
VIDEO!
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in Kenya
VIDEO!
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

12. UNAWE in Tunisia
See poster
Talk to Amine Abdellatif who is here today VIDEO!
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE Internationally
• Internet exchanges - Skypecasts
– Lunar Eclipse 2007:
• South Africa - Germany + 10 countries
– Lunar Eclipse 2008:
• Bilingual
• Bermuda - South Africa - South & North America
• Single events between classrooms
– Languages
– Times, seasons, internationalise national events
– Accents, Habits, Friends, etc.
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

13. UNAWE Internationally
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE‘s contribution to Astronomy development
• Astronomy transcending disciplines
• Prepare children for science later in education
• Awareness raising, scientific culture influencing decision
makers
• Human context
• Human heritage & internationalism (attitudes & opportunities)
• Feeling of being astronomers
• Contact between astronomers and the public
• Spaceship Earth our Home in the Universe
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

14. UNAWE‘s contribution to Astronomy development
UNAWE is a community
• Growing pool of enthusiasts
• Contributing educational materials
• Spreading awareness and enthusiasm for astronomy
• Sharing expertise in education and child development
• Interfacing with education systems, amateur astronomers,
science museums, other outreach programmes
• Mobilising volunteers
• Support for astronomy
• Learn by doing astronomy
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
UNAWE in brief
• International
• Spreading interest for astronomy and science
where it has the biggest impact: very young
children
• Gives astronomy a good image:
– A very human science
– Connection to roots in earliest civilisations
– Contribution to social good
– Mobilisation of people
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/

15. How to make it happen?
Essentially any astronomy outreach activity that
• Targets 4-10 year olds
• Is inspirational rather than strictly educational
• Reaches out to the underprivileged
• Acknowledges and includes cultural & folkloric
astronomy
is a UNAWE activity
> Background information
> UNAWE Handbook
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
Conclusion
• Importance of appreciation of science and
awareness of our environment by the next
generation
• Astronomy - ambassador of human achievement
easily accessible, fun and entertaining for young
children
• UNAWE helps form
– Broad, curious, inquisitive and inspired minds
– Aware of others and appreciating cultural diversity
– Aware of our place in the Universe
IAU - 1st MEARIM, meeting 08 April 2008 http://www.unawe.org/
carolina.odman@unawe.org