Capturing the Universe for Disadvantaged Children – Sean McCabe Astronomy and Space July 2006 1

Universe Awareness hopes to use the beauty of the interstellar landscape to inspire children around the world. Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)/Dr. Carolina Ödman

Capturing the Universe for Disadvantaged Children by

Sean McCabe

Sometimes we forget to look up. Preoccupied by our daily distractions, the glowing display of a mobile phone, the bold print of a newspaper headline, a shop window, a bus timetable, while being hemmed in by tall buildings and blinkered by the orange glimmer of streetlights, some of us would be pressed to remember when last we gazed into the night sky at any length. When we do, however, it is difficult not to be overcome with a childlike wonder.

It is this sense of wonder which the universe casts over us, that led George Miley to set up Universe Awareness For Young Children. Miley is a professor at Leiden University in the Netherlands and was a guest speaker Astronomical Science Group of Ireland’s autumn meeting in DCU last week.

His hope is “to expose economically disadvantaged children to the inspirational aspects of modern astronomy”. With their limitless and vibrant imagination, who better to introduce the expanse and breathtaking beauty of the universe to than children? The programme is focused on children from four to ten years old, formative ages which are crucial in the development of a human value system.

The emphasis of Universal Awareness is to pass on knowledge not through education, but through inspiration in the form of songs, games, toys and exciting animated films in a coordinated modular programme. All aspects of the programme will be of the highest standard in order to compete with popular existing forms of entertainment.

Games will be developed in close consultation with established manufacturers of successful games for children. Cartoons with appealing characters and storylines which make a connection between the known world of the child and his/her relationship with the

Capturing the Universe for Disadvantaged Children – Sean McCabe Astronomy and Space July 2006 2

universe will be produced in conjunction with a specialised studio. With no shortage of awe-inspiring interstellar landscapes to work with, the project is an animator’s dream.

The programme will begin with ‘Earth Awareness’, emphasising the child as a unique member of a diverse human family. From there it will expand outward to encompass the Sun, the Solar System and the Galaxies. Through excitement, adventure and wonder, children will be stimulated to appreciate the beauty and enormity of the universe.

Set up in 2004, Universe Awareness began to gather momentum and in May of this year 16 participants met at the European Southern Observatory for an interdisciplinary workshop. In attendance were representatives from 14 countries across five continents. Professionals from a diverse range of fields such as astronomy, education and anthropology were present to offer their support and expertise. All were unanimously enthusiastic about the feasibility and potential of Universe Awareness.

Presently, eight countries are actively working to implement pilot programmes: South Africa, Chile, Venezuela, Tunisia and Indonesia along with three European countries – the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. Ireland could be next as it has been confirmed that there is to be a national action committee set up here to assess interest and viability.

Published in Astronomy & Space - July 2006