UNAWE Carolina Ödman IYA 2009, Garching, March 2 - 4, 2007 UNIVERSE AWARENESS UNAWE Carolina Ödman IYA 2009, Garching, March 2 - 4, 2007

GOALS of UNAWE Expose very young (4 - 10) underprivileged children to inspirational aspects of astronomy. – Broaden their perspectives –Enhance their understanding of the world –Demonstrate the power of rational thought By broadening children’s minds, UNAWE will help stimulate tolerance and internationalism

Astronomy for Peace Science –Investigation, curiosity –Ambassador for all sciences –Development of technology Culture –History (past and in the making * ) –Cultural heritage Multidisciplinary –The big questions FUN! –Beautiful images –Extreme conditions –Unreachable yet available to all Anniversaries: 1609 & 1619: Kepler publishes his two laws! 1919: Eddington travels to Principe and demonstrates Einstein’s newly published relativity by observing a solar eclipse 1929: Hubble identifies Andormeda as a galaxy 1929: Hubble discovers the expansion of the Universe 1939: Hans Bethe proposes nuclear fusion as stellar combustion process 1989: COBE launched 1989: Hipparcos launched (Gaia 2011) History in the making: 2009: NigeriaSAT2 launch

MOTIVATION Beauty and size of the Universe excite young children –Not only education programme! Basic knowledge of the Universe is a birthright

INGREDIENTS Material Games, cartoons, songs, hands-on material Entertaining and developed by professionals 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 independant initatives

Development Philosophy Bottom-up approach –Participatory Diverse environments –Basic, intermediate, advanced –Europe (e.g. inner cities) and Emerging countries Modular and flexible –Child development Will foster ethnic heritage of astronomy –Intangible cultural heritage –Ownership

Pilot Activities 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

TIMELINE PREPARATION DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION IYA2009 Same timeline as IYA2009 Vision: Long-term sustainability

Implementation Present active UNAWE participation –Chile, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Venezuela –Participation in an international programme gives a high profile (Astronomy in non IAU countries) Work with existing programmes –Foster experience and infrastructure to spread the UNAWE philosphy –Amateurs, etc.

What can you do? Involve your communities –astronomers, pro & amateurs, education, etc. Full participation: –Identification of people & potential funding Join the Network: –All material will be made available Collection of available material for very young children Collection of myths and legends

Global 2009 activities Count the stars Tell stories Sing a song about the sky Astronomy and art Online hook-ups (e.g. Eclipse tonight) Class twinning etc Please stay in touch to know more!

CONCLUSIONS UNAWE combines social and educational aims There is need for such a programme Everyone can take part Nationally driven efforts AIM: Implement UNAWE in 2009

Contact me: Carolina Ödman