EU-UNAWE · Building on the International Year of Astronomy: Making young children aware of the Universe

EU-UNAWE responds to the outreach part of the Coordinating Action for FP7-SPACE-2010-1. It meets the specific requirements of the call (Section 1.1.2.4).EU-UNAWE exploits inspirational aspects of astronomy and space to interest very young disadvantaged children in science and technology, broaden their minds and stimulate European and global citizenship. The proposal builds on Universe Awareness (UNAWE), a unique, innovative and proven programme for children aged 4 to 10 years. It will exploit the achievements of European (EU) and South African (SA) space sciences to inspire, excite and stimulate young children, when their curiosity is high and their value systems are being formed. Specifically, EU-UNAWE will: - Train and empower primary school teachers in 6 countries to include astronomy and space topics in the classroom. - Develop and translate hands-on material, where appropriate emphasising EU and SA science and technology. - Provide a network for exchange of expertise and material between educators - Lay the groundwork for expansion of the programme throughout the EU, Associated Countries and ICP Countries. - Act as a showcase for EU and SA astronomy/space and related technologies, by disseminating the products among very young children, their teachers and their families. - Use astronomy/space products to stimulate awareness and strengthen public support for EU and SA space science research and technology. - Stimulate the next generation of EU and SA engineers and scientists, particularly girls. - Contribute to the integration of disadvantaged communities in participating countries. - Strengthen collaboration between EU and SA over mutually beneficial scientific, technological, educational and social topics. - Provide significant added value for Europe’s expenditure on astronomy and space sciences for a modest incremental cost. Pooling complementary expertise and resources of 6 partners gives a project whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.