The Universe in the Box by Cecilia Scorza
Transcript of The Universe in the Box by Cecilia Scorza
Cecilia Scorza, Haus der Astronomie and Heidelberg University
Universe in the box
The Universe in the Box
UNAWE
Part 1
Initiator of UNAWE (2004): Prof. George Miley
Science
Technology
Culture
Unique characteristics of astronomy
A big challange: Our target groups
1.Developmental psychology
2.Mythical and scientific thinking
3.Astronomy in different cultural environments
4.Astronomy for children ages 4 - 10
Information sources
Need to develope didactical materialsfor different ages and cultural environments
Cosmic Africa
Think big!!
• Psychology: Astronomy estimulates creativity
Think big!
Mythical thinking is universal
Myths inspire, astonish and estimulate observational skills Key element for UNAWE and the preservation of own cultural roots
UNAWE Objetives: • Inspire children and awake their interest for science and technology• Promote Earth citizenship and tolerance• Show that we can interrogate nature by rational means
2. Mythical and scientific thinking
Scientific thinking can be learned
The search for causal relations and explanations: hypothetical thinking, observations-experiments and validation.
Venus transit 2004
UNAWE
The Moon seen with
Mythical eyes Scientific eyes
The Moon lab
Experiment and observations around the Moon
We can see the objects around us because they reflect light
First prototype 2005UNAWE Box Cecilia Scorza
First version of the Handbook (German 2011) Cecilia Scorza and Natalie Fischer
Development of the Box
Contents- Earth-Moon-Sun- The Solar System- The constellations
Module 1: Earth-Moon-Sun
Changes of perspective
„Up“
„Down“
The Universe in the Box (2012)
Contents
Module 1: Moon-Earth-Sun
Module 2: The Solar System
Module 3: The constellations
Module 4: The life of stars
Module 5: Our home the Milky Way
Module 6: The Universe of galaxies
Mérida, Venezuela
India
Tanzania
.The UNAWE Earth ball
Concept & Educational Development
Cecilia Scorza (EU-UNAWE Germany/House of Astronomy)
Project Management Pedro Russo (EU-UNAWE/Leiden University), Jaya Ramchandani (UNAWE/Sirius Interactive)
Educational Support Natalie Fischer(EU-UNAWE Germany/House of Astronomy), Sara Khalafinejad (UNAWE/Leiden University), Jos van den Broek (Leiden University)
Business Development Jaya Ramchandani (UNAWE/Leiden University)
Editorial Support Erik Arends (UNAWE/Leiden University), Jaya Ramchandani (UNAWE/Sirius Interactive)
Activity Contribution Angela Perez (UNAWE Colombia/Astronomy Kids Club), Curion Education Pvt. Ltd. (India)
Prototype Production Curion Education Pvt. Ltd. (India)Design Charlotte Provot (EU-UNAWE/Leiden University)
Design Support: Diti Kotecha (ditikotecha.com, Graphic designer)Web Support: John Pitsakis (clrblnd.com, Web designer and Photographer)
LogoDistribution
Nikki Hartomo (Design), David Kerkhoff (Font)Abi Ashton
Credit List
The Universe in the box team
Module 5: The Milky Way“
Chile
Where is the Universe in the Box?
Islamic heritage astronomy kit:„The journey of the ideas“
EU-project „EU-SPACE-AWARENESS“, Horizon 2020
UNAWE Marocco
Part 2
Cecilia Scorza, Hassane Darhmaoui and Rajae Saidi
Fill the gap of 1000 years of amnesia and recognize the contribution of the Islamic civilization to the development of science
Salim Al-Hassani and Ian Fenn (2008)
„Salam Mu alekum“
98% of the immigrants are muslims
We share a history … collaboration, coexistence and tolerance
We share the night sky … Arabic names of stars
We all need and use calendars to measure time
We are all Earth citizens and should contribute to work together for the benefit of human kind and to preserve the environment
DIDACTICAL APPROACH
ISLAMIC HERITAGE ASTRONOMY KIT
Educational messages through the “Journey of Ideas”
Contents
1. The roads of knowledge. Example of the house of wisdom in Bagdad 2.The first university of the World founded by a woman (Fatima´s Muhammad Al-Fihri story)3.Observing the Sun and the Moon (Time – Calendar / Cardinal directions)4.The astronomer Al-Sufi: Observing and naming the stars /
Measuring positions Coordinate system (Zenith / Nadir)
5. The physicist Alhazen and his works on optic. Camara obscura and the eye (vision)6.The life of the brightest stars: Linking Al-Sufi´s work with modern astronomy7.Islamic countries striving against Earth warming Climate box
CONCEPT: JOURNEY OF IDEAS
ISLAMIC HERITAGE ASTRONOMY KIT
HOUSE OF WISDOM
(BAHGDAD)
AL QARAWIYYIN UNIVERSITY
CONCEPT: JOURNEY OF IDEAS
ISLAMIC HERITAGE ASTRONOMY KIT
Fatima Al Fihri founder of the Qarawiyyin University, Fez, Morocco, 9th century
Four Muslim Scientists/Figures for the kit
Meriam Al Ijlilia Al Austaurlabi, 10th century ,Aleppo, Syria. She was a famous scientist who designed and constructed astrolabes.
Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (902-960), Rey, Iran. He identified the Large Magellan Cloud, which is visible from Yemen. He also made the earliest recorded observation of the Andromeda galaxy in 964.
Ibn Al Haytham (Alhazen, 965-1040), Basra, Iraq. He is considered as one of the most influential scientists of all time. Referred to as the father of experimental physics and modern optics and scientific methodology.
Islamic Heritage Toolkit• Islam and its influence on the development of science• Using history of science for cultural convergence
Alhazen (965-1040 AD)
Book of OpticsScientific method!Experiments with lenses and mirrors
Great influence on Roger Bacon, da Vinci, Galileo, Huygens, Descartes and Kepler!
Booklet for the teachers/students
He identified the Large Magellanic Cloud, which is visible from Yemen; it was not seen by Europeans until Magellan's voyage in the 16th century. He also made the earliest recorded observation of the Andromeda galaxy in 964 AD; describing it as a "small cloud".
He observed and described the stars, their positions, their magnitude and their colour, setting out his results constellation by constellation.
Islamic Heritage Toolkit• Astronomical and cultural approach: We share history
Al-Sufi(902-960 AD)
First activities of the Islamic heritage kit: The arabic star names, their meanings and pronunciation
The kit/Astronomical and cultural approach: We share the sky
ISLAMIC HERITAGE ASTRONOMY KIT
Cultural “fusion“: Greek constellations and the arabic names of the stars
• Foster the development of scientific thinking• Emphasize that science is cultural independant
Islamic Heritage ToolkitThe moon in our lifes: The islamic and western calender
Ramadan
Build telescopes to observe the Moon
Our fragile planet
Our fragile planet
• generate awareness for environmental challenges of the Earth
• climate change
• role of satellite observations
• comparison with other planets (solar system and extrasolar)
Educational resources
• experience with developing educational resources
• Scientix award winning “Universe in a box”
• Example: Infrared Box
Educational resources
• comprehensive educational kit• covers a wide range of topics:→ the astronomical perspective: habitable zone→ Solar system: The evolution of Venus – Earth – Mars→ Weather phenomena→ Climate (zones, variations, atmospheric and marine
influences)→ Climate change (natural and manmade)→ What can we do?
The Facts
• comprehensive educational kit• covers a wide range of topics:→ weather phenomena→ climate (zones, variations, atmospheric and marine
influences)→ climate change (natural and manmade)→ chances of mitigation (What can I do?)→ the astronomical perspective: habitable zone→ Solar system: Venus – Earth – Mars
The Facts
• some 20 experiments and activities
• enquiry based where suitable
• age range from 10 to 16 years
• comes with a comprehensive manual (scientific background)
• based on latest scientific research
The Didactics