Universe Awareness - An Inspirational Programme for Disadvantaged Young Children
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Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children 10 February 2006 XVIII Torino workshop, Granada Universe Awareness an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children. Carolina Ödman, Leiden Observatory Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children 10 February 2006 XVIII Torino workshop, Granada What is Universe Awareness? Expose very young (ages 4 - 10) disadvantaged children to the inspirational aspects of astronomy . Motivation Beauty and size of the universe excites young children Basic knowledge of the Universe is a birth right Ages 4 - 10 are crucial for child development Knowledge about the universe can broaden the mind Why disadvantaged young children? Need is greatest Cognitive disparities increase with age
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"Universe Awareness - An Inspirational Programme for Disadvantaged Young Children"C. OdmanPresented at: Torino Conference, Granada, SpainFebruary 2006
Transcript of Universe Awareness - An Inspirational Programme for Disadvantaged Young Children
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Universe Awareness
an inspirational programme fordisadvantaged young children.
Carolina Ödman, Leiden Observatory
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
What is Universe Awareness?
Expose very young (ages 4 - 10) disadvantaged children to theinspirational aspects of astronomy.
MotivationBeauty and size of the universe excites young childrenBasic knowledge of the Universe is a birth rightAges 4 - 10 are crucial for child developmentKnowledge about the universe can broaden the mind
Why disadvantaged young children?
Need is greatestCognitive disparities increase with age
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Who is behind UNAWE?
George Miley, Leiden ObservatoryClaus Madsen, ESO
Cecilia Scorza de Appl, Heidelberg UniversityIsa Baud , University of Amsterdam
Alec Boksenberg, University of Cambridge
Karl Sarnow, EUN, Brussels
Cecilia
George
Alec
Education Sub-Committee
Cecilia Scorza de Appl Gonzalo ArgandonaChandra Fernando Birthe KirknaesJesper Kirknaes Naoufel Ben MaaouiaBernat Martinez Premana W. PremadiRosa M. Ros Karl SarnowHenri Boffin Richard WestMarie Rådbo
Organisation Sub-Committee
Alec BoksenbergMarina JoubertClaus MadsenGeorge Miley
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Goals
Communicate the Beauty and Scale of the Universe
Excite young children
Broaden their minds
Development of cognitive skills
Reach as large a number of children as possible
Principles
Inspiration is paramount:
Emphasis on play and entertainment
Bottom-up approach:
Driven by the needs of the locally-based cultures and educators
General approach:
Earth awareness and citizenship, membership of a diverse human family
Awareness of the Sun, planets, solar system, galaxy, Universe.
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Science:investigation, curiosityphysics, chemistry, biologydevelopment of technology
Culture:astronomers are historiansheritage across all civilisations
Interface with other disciplines:philosophy, sociologythe big questions
Exciting!beautiful and exotic objectsextreme conditionsunreachable
Great for children’s imagination!
Uniqueness of Astronomy for Child Development
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Structure of the programme I - Environments
Basic EnvironmentSchool from ages 7 – 8, sometimes non-existentTV scarceNone or poorly trained teachersMobilize parents and community leaders?
Intermediate EnvironmentSchool from ages 6 - 7Very limited sporadic access to the InternetTV at home and schoolPoorly trained teachersShort UNAWE program
Advanced EnvironmentSchool from ages 4 - 5Access to internet at school and often at home Well-trained teachersUNAWE on school curriculum
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
General characteristics
Modular: Occupy few contact hours per year upwards
Adapted: Languages and cultures of target groups
Stimulating: must cultivate imagination
Professional: Must be developed by professionals
Strong message: Uniform characters and settings
Rooted: Involve primitive cultures in astronomy
Structure of the programme II - Material
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Structure of the programme II - Material
Inspiration and learning through
Playing and active stimulation
Songs, games, toys etc.Model building that children can keep
Excitement
Short adventure filmsCartoon characters, gripping adventure storiesSet in beautiful and exotic environments
Internet (Advanced Environment)Class twinning to reinforce Earth awarenessDeveloping countries often have darker skies
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Core topics
C1 Sky awarenessC2 Earth awarenessC3 The Solar systemC4 The galaxy and beyond
Structure of the programme III - Contents
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Structure of the programme IV - Didactics
D1 Direct observationsD2 Hands-on activitiesD3 Playing and singing stories and mythsD4 Twinning activities, interactive software
Large input fromlocal cultures!
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Twinning,software
Songs,games, myths
Hands-onactivities
Directobservation
Galaxy ++Solar SystemEarthSky
Structure of the programme V - Modular Structure
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Structure of the programme VI - Teacher Training
TRAINING OF “UNAWE REGIONAL COORDINATORS”
Why?Contact between UNAWE and teachers impossibleIntermediary organizers needed
RoleSupervise program in specific regionMaintain contact with schools and teachers
Practical AspectsTraining course by UNAWE~2 weeks? ~20 coordinators per country?
Needs further development and input from partner countriesApproach will differ for each target region
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
UNAWE – Pre-pilot project: VENEZUELA, January 2006
Chuao, a village on the coast
Contact with children on the roadShowed a few imagesExplained beliefs about the moonThey told their storiesPlayed with a modelof the galaxyInterest from the women inthe village - questionsPlayed the dance of theplanets on the plaza
Great interest inastronomical pictures!
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
UNAWE – Pre-pilot project: VENEZUELA, January 2006
Mérida, a teacher training workshop
Collaboration with an expert on Indian astronomicaltraditions and multicultural educationEncounter between mythical andscientific view of the worldTeachers asking questions!Respectful of superstitions
Training with childrenBuilding their own models to take backTransparencies
Visit from Ye’kuana Indians (Southern Amazon)
Explained the calendar, constellations andastronomical tradition in every-day lifeDifferent holidays...
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
UNAWE – Pre-pilot project: VENEZUELA, January 2006
Other contacts
Amateur AstronomersHumboldt Planetarium (Caracas)“Tricolor” magazineEducation Ministry
Foundation of the Venezuelan National Action Committee
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
Limited number of targeted countries/regions~ 4 developing countries~ 4 EU countriesDisadvantaged regions (e.g. inner cities)
Presently interestedNON-EU:South Africa, Chile, Venezuela, TunisiaIndonesia, IndiaEU:Netherlands, Ireland, Spain, Italy, UK
Formation of National Action Committees
Interdisciplinary workshop
Lorentz Centre, Leiden, NL, October 2006
Next steps in the development of UNAWE
The goals of UniverseAwareness are in linewith two of the UnitedNations MillenniumDevelopment Goals : !
(i) the achievement of
universal primary
education and!
(ii) the promotion of gender
equality in schools.
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
ORIENTATION: 2005 - 2006Obtain seed fundingProspectus, web pages, postersEndorsements from distinguished scientists and humanitariansDevelop relations with possible funding agenciesContact with professional film makers, game companies, etc.
PREPARATION: 2006 - 2007 Formation of UNAWE National Action Committees
Contact with fund-giversDefinitive plan for tools (films games, toys)Definitive plan for training
DEVELOPMENT: 2007 – 2008Creation/ production of toolsOrganise training coursesDetailed plans for implementation
IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION 2009 – 2010
Next steps in the development of UNAWE
Universe Awareness, an inspirational programme for disadvantaged young children
10 February 2006XVIII Torino workshop, Granada
"I am delighted to add my endorsement
to the program you describe! ”
Prof. Joseph Taylor, 1993 Nobel Prize
“I endorse your efforts on this educational
Programme. "
Sir Martin Rees, President of the UK'sRoyal Society
"I am happy to endorse your project, which I
think is very worthwhile. "
Prof. Riccardo Giacconi, 2002 Nobel Prize
www.UniverseAwareness.org
Gracias!
