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WELCOME

UNIVERSE AWARENESS WORKSHOP

LORENTZ CENTER

UUNNAAWWEE

WHAT IS UNIVERSE AWARENESS?

Programme that will

Expose DISADVANTAGED young children (4 – 10)

to INSPIRATIONAL aspects of astronomy

“UN-AWE”

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GOALS• By exposing very young (4 - 10 years), underprivileged

children to inspirational aspects of astronomy.

– Broaden their minds

– Enhance their understanding of the world

– Demonstrate the power of rational thought

• By broadening children’s minds, UNAWE will help stimulate

tolerance and internationalism

UNAWE - FROM IDEA TO FULL PROGRAMME -1

• Initial Discussion with ESO 2004

• First UNAWE Workshop, ESO May 2005

– Dr. Cecilia Scorza D’Appl Chair, Education Committee

• Appointment of UNAWE Coordinator at Leiden, September 2005

– Dr. Carolina Ödman

• Endorsements

• First approaches to EU, UNESCO and Dutch government for funding

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ENDORSEMENTS TO DATE

• Individuals

– Several distinguished astronomers

– 3 Presidents of International Astronomical Union (IAU)

– 3 Nobel Prize winners

– Sir Bob Geldof, Entertainer*Development Aid Fundraiser

– Federico Mayor, former Director General of UNESCO

• Organisations

– 4 international organisations, including IAU

– 7 national organisations, including 6 Dutch institutions

UNAWE - FROM IDEA TO FULL PROGRAMME - 2

• Feasibility of Universe Awareness proven

– Successful pilot projects

– Enormous worldwide enthusiasm and interest

– Potential sources of international and national funding

• Official Launch Of Universe Awareness

– 22 August 2006 at General Assembly of IAU

Mentioned specifically in inaugural address by Catherine Cezarsky, incoming President IAU and DG, ESO

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TIMELINE

• 2009 (International Year of Astronomy)– At least 4 emerging countries and 4 EU member states

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013PREPARATIONPREPARATION

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

IMPLEMENTATIONIMPLEMENTATION

EVALUATIONEVALUATION

2ND INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSE AWARENESS

WORKSHOP

LEIDEN, 9 – 13 OCTOBER 2006

• Wide geographical distribution

– ~ 50 people, 19 countries, 5 continents

• Multidisciplinary

– teachers, astronomers, child development experts,science outreach experts, international aidspecialists, anthropologists

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SOME TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION - 1• Child development and UNAWE

– Inspiration and development of cognitive skills vsage and environment

• Science vs belief systems and UNAWE

– How do we deal with religion, astrology and myth?

• Environments and UNAWE

– Delivery in basic environments– Role of parents, family and community leaders– Class twinning

• Lessons from Venezuela and Tunisia

SOME TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION - 2• Material development and UNAWE

– Fantasy vs reality

• Training and Different Environments for UNAWE

– Requirements for coordinators and recruitment

– Training methods

– Role of parents and family

• Assessment of UNAWE

– Methods– Control samples and followup

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SOME TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION - 3• Feasibility and candidate target countries

– Potential National Action Committees

– Support from authorities

– Funding sources for national implementation

– Synergetic programmes to “piggy-back”– homework

• Funding

– Preparation• Dutch Academy (KNAW), ESO, Leiden University, Lorentz Center

– Development

– Implementation

• EU Framework 7, UNESCO?

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IMPLEMENTATION AND TARGET COUNTRIES- 1

• Is there a feasible National Action Committee?

– Optimum composition

• Multidisciplinary

– e.g. teachers, astronomers, childdevelopment, outreach, policy makers,business people

• Geographically distributed

• Ethnic representation

• Dedicated and capable

IMPLEMENTATION AND TARGET COUNTRIES- 2

• Is passive/ active support from authorities likely?

– How ambitious a programme?

• Number of contact-hours per year

• Number of years

• Ages

• Are there synergetic programmes to work with in jointventures?

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IMPLEMENTATION AND TARGET COUNTRIES- 3

• Country-specific requirements for material

– Number of languages

– Specific ethnic content

• Country-specific requirements for training

– Background of coordinators

– Number of coordinators needed• Reach 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 children

– Recruiting coordinators

– Incentives, salaries etc.

– Frequency of training courses

IMPLEMENTATION - 3• Cost Estimates

– Programme to reach 1000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 children

• Country-specific potential sources of funding?

– National government– Exchange program with other potential UNAWE target

country– Possible sources to approach for sponsoring

• Specific industries, Foundations, Philanthropists• Tactics and next steps

• Possibilities for media and game production?