info@astronomy2009.org.zawww.astronomy2009.org.za

South African Astronomical Observatory / Southern African Large TelescopeSALT Collateral Benefits ProgrammeKevin Govender: kg@saao.ac.zaAfrican Science Communication ConferenceSouth Africa, 2009

International Year of Astronomy WorldwideIYA in South AfricaIYA in AfricaDeveloping Astronomy GloballyOverview

Millennium Development GoalsGOAL 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerGOAL 2: Achieve universal primary educationGOAL 3: Promote gender equality and empower womenGOAL 4: Reduce child mortalityGOAL 5: Improve maternal healthGOAL 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseasesGOAL 7: Ensure environmental sustainabilityGOAL 8: Develop a global partnership for development

War (slide 1 of 2)

War (slide 2 of 2)

Religions (slide 1 of 2)

Religions (slide 2 of 2)

Fundamentalism (slide 1 of 2)

Fundamentalism (slide 2 of 2)

THINK

VisionCelebrationTo help the citizens of the world rediscover their place in the Universe through the day and night time sky, and thereby engage a personal sense of wonder and discoveryA global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture, highlighted by the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo.International Year of Astronomy 2009

GoalsIncrease scientific awareness.

Promote widespread access to new knowledge and observing experiences.

Empower astronomical communities in developing countries.

Support and improve formal and informal science education.

Provide a modern image of science and scientists.

Facilitate new networks and strengthen existing ones.

Improve the gender-balanced representation of scientists at all levels and promote greater involvement by underrepresented minorities in scientific and engineering careers.

Facilitate the preservation and protection of the worlds cultural and natural heritage of dark skies and historical astronomical sites.

International Year of Astronomy 2009

Global Cornerstone Projects

www.developingastronomy.orgAstronomy for all

www.100hoursastronomy.orgAn event 400 years in the making

www.fromearthtotheuniverse.orgThe beauty of science

www.whc.unesco.orgUniversal Treasures

www.darkskiesawareness.orgSeeing in the dark

www.galileoscope.orgMillions looking at the sky

www.portaltotheuniverse.orgA one-stop universe of news

www.cosmicdiary.orgThe life of an astronomer

www.sheisanastronomer.orgBreaking down misconceptions

www.galileoteachers.orgTeaching the Teachers

www.unawe.orgOne place in the universe

Global Cornerstone Projects vs IYA Goals

www.astronomy2009.org137 National Nodes

95 National Websites

33 Organisational Nodes

11 Cornerstone Projects

11 Special Task Groups

9 Special Projects

Thousands of people actively involved!

www.astronomy2009.org.za

info@astronomy2009.org.za

IYA2009 National Steering Committee

Mathoto Thaoge-Lefyedi (Dept of Science and Technology)

Kim de Boer (Square Kilometre Array SA / Karoo Array Telescope)

Marion West (Hartbeeshoek Radio Astronomy Observatory)

Lorenzo Raynard (SA Agency for Science and Technology Advancement)

Peter Martinez (Astronomical Society of SA / Space Science Community)

Kevin Govender (SA Astronomical Observatory / Southern African Large Telescope)

Astronomy outreach stakeholder meetingsSurvey of astronomy education and outreachAstroNet email listWebsite www.astronomy2009.org.zaConsolidation of astronomical resourcesAstroGuideAstroCDEssential Astronomy Outreach Training WorkshopsAstronomy to-do listCalls for proposals

Roadmap of IYA2009 in SAFUNDRAISING

Astronomy content at every science festival/eventRegular star parties across the countryTelescopes in public venuesDOE approved astronomy resources distributed nationallyAstronomy outreach kit in all science centres (with workshopped staff)(telescope, laser, guidelines, software, reference material, etc)Telescopes in most Dinaledi schoolsNational science week astronomy focus (Launch in Northern Cape)Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2010 in Cape Town, SAFuture IYA2009 in SA

Sutherland Star Party

IYA2009 Launch at Eclipse

Astronomy in Africa (and developing regions)

Astronomy for DevelopmentEducation (especially Maths and Science)

Development of Research

Public Understanding of Science

Development of Partnerships

Astro-tourism

African FacilitiesSALT / SAAOHESSHartRAO / MeerKAT

ThemeVisionAstronomy for EducationThe continent of Africa, with an ever-growing astronomy research community, united in the fields of education and outreach, working together and sharing resources, such that the people of Africa are educated, especially in the fields of science, engineering and technology.A Plan for Africa

Core Missions

Enhance the teaching and interest in Maths and Science in schools

Enhance the teaching and research in astronomy in universities

Increase the awareness and knowledge of science amongst the public

Support and encourage an African networkA Plan for Africa

Principles

Encourage collaboration both nationally and internationally.

Support and enhance rather than reinvent programmes.

Ensure adequate monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance.

Development and support of human resources

Ensure sustainability at every stageA Plan for Africa

A plan for Africa by AfricaAlgeriaAngolaCongo (Brazzaville)EgyptEthiopiaGabonKenyaLesothoMalawiMauritiusMoroccoMozambique

13. Namibia14. Nigeria15. Rwanda16. South Africa17. Sudan 18. Swaziland19. Tanzania20. Tunisia21. Uganda22. Zambia23. Zimbabwe

Working Group for Astronomy in Africa25 volunteers

Astronomy in Africa SurveyProfessionalUniversities, Academics, Astronomical Facilities

PublicOutreach programmes, Astronomy in media, Astronomy and science in general culture

SchoolsEducation programmes, Astronomy in classroom, Maths and science challenges

Astronomy in Africa Survey

ProfessionalPublicSchoolsNigeriaPhase 2Phase 1Phase 1TanzaniaPhase 3Phase 2Phase 3RwandaPhase 3Phase 4Phase 3South AfricaPhase 1Phase 1 Phase 1MalawiPhase 3Phase 3Phase 3UgandaPhase 3Phase 3Phase 3MoroccoPhase 2Phase 2Phase 2KenyaPhase 2Phase 3Phase 2GabonPhase 3Phase 2Phase 3

www.developingastronomy.org

GoalsUse the momentum of IYA to stimulate the establishment and enhancement of regional structures/networks around the world that would focus on the development of astronomy.

Ensure sufficient reach and benefit of IYA and other cornerstones to developing regions.Developing Astronomy Globallywww.developingastronomy.org

Focus AreasIYA Cornerstone 11: Developing Astronomy GloballyDeveloping Astronomy Globallywww.developingastronomy.orgProfessional development: This will address tertiary education, research training and research infrastructure in order to build professional astronomy research capacity within the country.

Development of public understanding of astronomy: This will target the general public and take the form of activities and events that stimulate an interest in astronomy. This focus area includes the development of an amateur astronomy community.

School-level education development: This will address primary and secondary education. It will focus on taking astronomy to the classroom (e.g. GHOU) and beyond (e.g. younger children through UNAWE) to stimulate an interest in Mathematics and Science amongst young people.

Levels of Astronomy DevelopmentIYA Cornerstone 11: Developing Astronomy GloballyDeveloping Astronomy Globallywww.developingastronomy.orgPhase 1 countries would be well established countries with links to the IAU and functioning astronomy research and outreach communities.

Phase 2 countries would have existing astronomy research and outreach communities but remain in need of support in order to get astronomy well established.

Phase 3 countries would have a non-existent astronomy community but show strong potential in the form of physics/mathematics research and outreach communities who are willing to drive the development of astronomy.

Phase 4 countries would have a non-existent astronomy community and would have limited potential for the development of such a community i.e. no research or outreach communities.

Regional DevelopmentRegions: (from IAU Commission 46)

Region 1: North AmericaRegion 2: Latin America (including Central America and the Caribbean)Region 3: EuropeRegion 4: Middle East and North AfricaRegion 5: Sub-Saharan AfricaRegion 6: Central AsiaRegion 7: Far East and South-East AsiaRegion 8: Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand)IYA Cornerstone 11: Developing Astronomy GloballyDeveloping Astronomy Globallywww.developingastronomy.org

Regional DevelopmentIYA Cornerstone 11: Developing Astronomy GloballyDeveloping Astronomy Globallywww.developingastronomy.orgInternational Office: headed by the co-ordinator - FTE

8 Regional Hubs: this would usually be a group of people in the region who have links with the IAU and a relatively well established astronomy programme

Country Nodes: each country should have a team of people addressing the development of astronomy in their country this team could be the same as the IYA national nodes

Email Networks and Communication Structures: there would be 3 main networks that one would communicate with through email discussion lists, telecons, skypecasts, meetings, etc.:Regional HubsCountry NodesOpen network of individuals interested in development of astronomy

IYA Cornerstone 11: Developing Astronomy GloballyDeveloping Astronomy Globallywww.developingastronomy.org

Phase 1 countries (Well established)Phase 2 countries (In need of Support)Phase 3 countries (Non-existent with strong potential)Phase 4 countries (Non-existent with limited potential)Professional development- use as regional hub- Link with IAU network- Student/researcher exchange programmes co-ordinated by regional hubs- Provide guidance on student and research opportunities internationally (with clause to return to home country)- Combine with IAU Commission 46s TAD/ISYA/WWDA programmes- High level discussions with government departments of Science and Education- Explore astronomy status in neighbouring countries and likelihood of collaborationsDevelopment of public understanding of astronomy- use as regional hub- provide training for local champions- feed public info and stories to champions regularly- train facilitators to run public events- link with relevant cornerstones (e.g. 100 Hours)- training workshop on communicating astronomy to the public (involve IAU Commission 55)- link with activities of region- provide resources for public outreach- High level discussions with government department of Science- Explore potential in neighbouring countries and likelihood of collaboratingSchool-level education development- use as regional hub- provide training for local champions- provide education resources and networks (link with Galileo Teacher Training and UNAWE Cornerstones for IYA)- training workshop on astronomy in the classroom- link with activities of region- provide educational resources- introduction of astronomy into the school curriculum- High level discussions with government departments of Science and Education- Explore potential in neighbouring countries and likelihood of collaborating

Astronomy in Africa (and developing regions)

info@astronomy2009.org.zawww.astronomy2009.org.za

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