Presentation by Pedro Russo

1. Inspiring every child
with our wonderful cosmos
Pedro Russo
UNAWE/Leiden University, NL
e. russo@strw.leidenuniv.nl
t. @unawe | @pruss
f. facebook.com/unawe

2. INsPIRATION
Use perspective, inspiration and fun of astronomy to:
- Introduce young children to the excitement of science
- Enhance their understanding of the world and
demonstrate power of rational thought
- Broaden children’s minds
- Stimulate world citizenship, tolerance

3. Universe Awareness
 Astronomy-based program with social goals
 Exposing disadvantaged young children (ages 4 to
10) to the inspirational aspects of astronomy

4. EU-UNAWE
Development of UNAWE programs in 6 countries over 3 years
The Netherlands Germany The UK Spain Italy South-Africa
1. International Network
- Platform for teachers and development of professionals worldwide
- Exchange of ideas, experience and materials
- Coordinators and managers in each participating country, tailored to each
country/community
2. Educational Material
- Games, cartoons, songs, hands-on material
- Needs to be FUN and INTERACTIVE
3. Teacher Training
- Give teachers the confidence to introduce astronomy and other science
topics in their classrooms
- Teacher = strong multiplier

5. 1. Network
40 Countries
(6 EU-UNAWE)
500+ Educators/Teachers/Astronomers

6. 1. Network
• International website: www.unawe.org

7. 2. Educational material
• Online resources: open-source (creative commons license )
• August 2011: Science Magazine’s SPORE Science Award!
Science Prize for Online Resources in Education
Showcase of best educational resources available online
‘Deadly Moons’

8. 2. Educational material
Space Scoop
Regular breaking news update
for children
Share with children the excitement
that the latest scientific
discoveries bring
Demonstrate that there is still
much to learn about the
Universe – research that they
could contribute to in the future

9. 2. Educational material
Space Scoop:
Collaboration with ESO, NASA
Chandra, South African Astronomical
Observatory, Royal Astronomical
Society and Europlanet
Translations in 16 Languages

10. 2. Educational material
UNIVERSE iN a BOX

11. 2. Educational material
UNIVERSE iN a BOX
Resonates with UNAWE’s mission
of didactic, interdisciplinary, and
cultural content
Localizable
Modular and Low-cost Easy to
with UNAWE
Customizable Materials Reproduce
Network

12. 3. Teacher Training
340 hours of teacher traning in 6 countries:
Number of teachers trained in 6 countries: 375
Number of children reached by teachers trained (~
numbers): 15 170

13. www.eunawe.com
www.unawe.org
Funded by Consortium Part of
Armagh
Observatory