general presentation in PDF - IAU Office of Astronomy for

International Astronomical Union

Office of Astronomy for Development

For more information, please contact:

Kevin Govender – [email protected]

J.-C. Mauduit – [email protected]

OAD

www.astro4dev.org

1 IAU Office of Astronomy for Development www.astro4dev.org

IAU Strategic plan slogan:

“Exploring the Universe

for the benefit of

humankind”

International Astronomical Union

> 10,000 professional

astronomers wordwide

Builds on the

International

Year of

Astronomy in

2009 which

reached over

815 000 000

people


Elements of Astronomy for Development

Focus areas:

- Universities & Research

- Children & Schools

- Astronomy for the Public


The IAU Office of Astronomy for

Development

by mobilizing the human and financial resources necessary

in order to realize its scientific, technological and cultural benefits to society.

Mission:

Vision:

Astronomy for a better world!

To help further the use of astronomy as a tool for development


– Implementation of the Strategic Plan

– Strategic advice

– Coordination and Facilitation

– Funding and Infrastructure

– Implementation of special projects

The Roles of the OAD


OAD

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

Astronomy for

the public

Regional Coordinators

OAD Steering Committee

Structural overview of the OAD

IAU President, Gen Sec, Div C


OAD

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

Astronomy for

the public




IAU President, Gen Sec, Div C


Steering Committee members

• Claude Carignan (nominated by NRF)

• Megan Donahue (nominated by IAU)

• George Miley (nominated by IAU) – previous Chair

• Khotso Mokhele (nominated by NRF) – current Chair

• Kaz Sekiguchi (nominated by IAU)

• Patricia Whitelock (nominated by NRF)

OAD Steering Committee: 3 nominated by the IAU, 3 nominated by the NRF

8

IAU finances/endorsement decisions are taken by the Extended Development Oversight Committee (EDOC), made of the Steering Committee and:

• Norio Kaifu (IAU president) • Thierry Montmerle (IAU General-Secretary) • Mary Kay Hemenway (IAU Division C President)

IAU Office of Astronomy for Development www.astro4dev.org

OAD

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

Astronomy for

the public





The OAD global office team

Director Kevin Govender

Project Officer J-C Mauduit

Administration Nuhaah Solomon

+ Interns & Volunteers


Current interns & their projects

Laure Catala Eli Kasai

Eli has a strong passion helping develop the study of Astronomy in places that lack knowledge in

this field, especially in the Square Kilometer Array Africa partner

countries where Human Capacity Development programs are a high priority. He is currently

working on developing resources based on the Khan Academy

project and the Universe in a Box project

Laure is currently leading two projects at the OAD, the first one evaluating the impact of

different outreach and education programs in

collaboration with social scientists and education

researchers and the second one aimed at developing an undergraduate astronomy course for historically black

universities.

Rajin loves teaching science as well as topics related to

computing. He has just started working on a project

which aims at improving the skills of astronomical

programming for historically black South African universities and

undergraduate students in Africa.

Rajin Ramphul


OAD

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

Astronomy for

the public





OAD Regional & Language Nodes

East Asia, China

South East Asia, Thailand

OAD

Global Office, South Africa

Ethiopia,

ESSS

13

In white: established ROADs/LOADs In red: Follow-ups being made regarding proposal

IAU Office of Astronomy for Development www.astro4dev.org

Nigeria, CBSS

Armenia, BAO

Colombia, Andean Partners

In yellow: ROAD awaiting signing of agreement In blue: Working with OAD towards proposal

OAD

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

Astronomy for

the public



Task Force 1

(TF1) Task Force 2

(TF2)

Task Force 3

(TF3)



– Open call for nominations (January 2012)

– Selection of Chairs and Vice-Chairs by EDOC

– Selection of members by EDOC with input from

Chairs and Vice-Chairs

– Task Forces launched April 2012

– Role: Reviewing project proposals & advising OAD

OAD Task Forces


TF1: Universities and Research

OAD Task Forces

• Jean-Pierre de Grève (Belgium)

• Richard de Grijs (China)

• Michèle Gerbaldi (France)

• Edward Guinan (USA) – Chair

• Roger Hajjar (Lebanon)

• Edward Jurua (Uganda)

• Katrien Kolenberg (USA/Belgium) – Vice-Chair

• Hakim Malasan (Indonesia)

• Shengbang Qian (China)

• Nicole van der Bliek (Chile)

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research


TF2: Children and Schools

• Rosa Doran (Portugal)

• Edward Gomez (LCOGT, Cardiff) - Vice-Chair

• Mary Kay Hemmenway (USA)

• Robert Hollow (Australia)

• Ofodum Chukwujekwu Nworah (Nigeria)

• Rosa Maria Ros (Spain)

• Pedro Russo (Leiden University/UNAWE) - Chair

• Cecilia Scorza (Venezuela/Germany)

• Linda Strubbe (Canada)

• Akihiko Tomita (Japan)

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools OAD Task Forces


TF3: Public

• Thilina Heenatigala (Sri Lanka)

• Sarah Kendrew (EU - New Media)

• Lars Lindberg Christensen (Germany, IAU Commission 55)

• Carolina Ödman (South Africa) – Vice-Chair

• German Puerta (Colombia)

• Sarah Reed (Japan/UK)

• Ian Robson (UK) - Chair

• Komiko Usida (Japan)

Astronomy for

the public OAD Task Forces


IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO)

www.universedowntoearth.org

Works closely with OAD Task Force 3 and IAU Commission 55


Register online at www.astro4dev.org/work-with-the-oad/oadvolunteers/

Volunteers (~450) mapped by country of origin


• 1st Call for Proposals (for projects to be implemented in 2013) issued on 10th August 2012

• Translation support offered

• €80000 available for Task Force recommendations

• Projects recommended but not funded go onto “wish list”

• EDOC allocated IAU funds in December 2012

• Projects are currently being implemented in 2013

Task Force Calls for Proposals

• 2nd Call for Proposals (for for projects to be implemented in

2014) issued on 1st July 2013

• Translation support offered

• €90000 available for Task Force recommendations

• Online & automatic process

• Similar review process by panels of experts in Task Forces

• Projects will be implemented in 2014


TF1: Universities and Research

• Visiting astronomer programmes or exchange programmes

• National or regional astronomy schools and workshops

• Astronomy education research equipment and laboratory small grant

• Sabbatical leave visit programme

• Undergraduate astronomy courses

• Technology internships e.g. instrument specialists

• University twinning programmes

• Innovative university astronomy programs not listed above

Task Force Calls - Examples


TF2: Children and Schools

• Teacher training and development

• Resource development and vetting

• Produce guidelines for using robotic telescopes for school projects

• Distance learning options applicable to school level education

• Astronomy education research

• Reference group for curriculum evaluation

• Support existing networks for education

• Mobile education projects

• Study on the value of astronomy training

• Any other relevant projects



TF3: Public • Journalist/blogger/communicator and amateur training

• Citizen science projects

• Develop/Identify models for good outreach activities

• Traditional/Cultural astronomy for outreach and false beliefs

• Establish evolving list of existing celebrations

• Creation of images and multimedia resources

• Stargazing events and telescope making workshops

• Any other relevant project which may not be mentioned here

• Astro-tourism activities

• Outreach awards

• Establish evaluation guidelines



Annual Call for Proposals: 2013 results

Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

Astronomy for

the public

42 applications

€ 752 959 requested

94 applications


53 applications


Total Requested:

€1 835 820

After evaluations: € 968 940 on wish list

e.g. University twinning,

summer schools,

equipment grants, etc

e.g. Teacher training,

resource development,

curriculum research

e.g. Journalist training,

citizen science,

astro-tourism

16 projects funded;

€ 90 000 made

available from IAU;


Overview of funded projects in 2013

TF1

TF1

TF1

TF1 TF1

TF3

TF2

TF2

TF2

TF2

TF2

TF3 TF3

TF3

TF3

TF3

Online interactive overview of projects: www.astro4dev.org/funded-projects/


Strengthening Astronomy Research at the University level in Rwanda

Project leader: Dr. Pheneas Nkundabakura

• In 2009, IAU donated computers to help students & lecturers to learn and use astronomy software

• New era of Astronomy research: can be done locally anywhere using online data mining

need staff training [Petri Vaisanen, SAAO]

Short term: Workshop in Kigali to build a research team trained on data reduction software

Long term: Extend to the whole region and to build a pan-East-African research team able to reduce multi-λ photometric and spectroscopic data (making use of SKA & Entoto observatories)

TF1- funded projects Astronomy for

Universities and

Research

Completed workshop!


mailto:[email protected]

National Workshop on Astronomy & Astrophysics in Kathmandu, Nepal

Project leader: Prof. Binil Aryal


Universities and

Research

• June 24th – 27th, 2013, Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

• 9 lectures and 21 tutorials for ≈100 participants from everywhere in Nepal

• Provide an exposure to the virtual observatories (VO), databases, softwares and basic programming

• Aims to familiarize students with the process of problem identification as well as problem solving procedures

Completed

workshop!



The first “Guatemalan School of Astrophysics”, Guatemala

Project leader: Dr. Eduardo Rubio-Herrera

• Launch of the first ever GUAtemalan School of Astrophysics (GUASA) to be held in a rural area of Guatemala every 2 years

• Aims to bring together local Central American/Caribbean undergraduate students of physics/mathematics/engeneering, with experts from prestigious astronomical institutions from around the world

Motivate students to pursue degrees in Astronomy

• Organize outreach activities for the general public. These activities will encourage children and teenagers to get closer to science and to continue their studies aiming for higher education.


Universities and

Research


http://www.iau.org/administration/membership/individual/15520/



Starlight in the university: “Astrolab” in Belgium, Nigeria & Zambia

Project leader: Prof. Jean-Pierre de Grève

• Astrolab: research tutorial developed by Vrije Universiteit Brussel for the last 4 years

• Research tutorial allowing undergraduate students in sciences to perform real-time observations on a remote telescope and to transform them in to a scientific result

Purposes:

• Introduce students to the scientific research method by working scientifically through project development and preparation, data acquisition/treatment, analysis and conclusions

• Enhance interest in science studies by making them more attractive and getting the students involved in the learning process


Universities and

Research





Astronomy lectures for university students and teachers in Accra, Ghana

Project leader: Dr. Jacob Ashong

• A workshop for astronomy development at the Accra Planetarium to university students & teachers from Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal & Nigeria

• Reducing the “knowledge gap” between students and researchers in this region and those in other parts of the world where highly-developed astronomy research facilities exist

• Bringing together University students and international astronomy educators to promote and encourage the higher level study of Astronomy and make a contribution to taking it forward as part of the country’s development in science and technology


Universities and

Research



Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP), Nepal

Project leader: Mr. Sudeep Neupane

TF2 - funded projects Astronomy for

Children and

Schools

• 43 teachers

• 8 lecturers

• 12 students (9th grade) • 3 lectures, 4 workshops

Global impact in schools in Nepal

Completed project!



Astronomical kit for the visually impaired (kits to Asia, Africa, South America &

Galileo Mobile project)

Project leader: Dr. Amelia Ortiz-Gil


Children and

Schools

Kit will consist of: • A planetarium show with original soundtrack in

various languages and a half-sphere with constellations engraved

• Booklet of activities • Tactile 3D Moon with a booklet of Moon activities • Set of the FETTU braille sheets with an activity guide,

and (e) a book on tactile astronomy.

Help fund this project! Go to http://astrokit.uv.es/donate.html





Mathare Ambassadors of Astronomy, Nairobi, Kenya

Project leader: Ms. Katarzyna Tekien

• Training of Trainers: 12 selected teachers undergo training on astronomy

• Introduction of Astronomy to Mathare Schools: training of 54 school teachers

• 20 schools from Mathare will be provided with total of 35 Galileoscopes and toolkit & of lessons on practical astronomy to deliver in the classroom

• Workshops in classrooms: astronomy lessons for 1500 primary school students

• Mathare Astronomy Exhibition: display of astronomy artefacts created during teachers’ trainings and workshops for students


Children and

Schools




Astronomical measurements in Ancient Greece for students

Project leader: Dr. Athanasios Taramopoulos


Children and

Schools

1. Students carrying out these measurements can appreciate how an innovative mind can explore the universe

2. Have students reach out in the community and the public: everyone can realize that the cosmos is within everybody’s grasp to explore, as the Ancient Greek astronomers did.

Ancient Greek philosophers have made a number of accurate astronomical measurements and created successful models to describe the wonders of the Cosmos

Aims of the project:



Network for Astronomy School Education

Project leader: Prof. Rosa Ros


Children and

Schools

Purpose: To act before the university and research period in the curricula of children and teenagers Necessary to educate teachers in astronomy topics

• NASE specific to Secondary and Primary schools teachers

• Organising a Local Organising Committee (LOC NASE group of 6-8)

• Courses organised for teachers in Kenya, Ghana & Nigeria



Astronomy for the extremely ill/traumatically injured children & their families, USA

Project leader: Dr. Donald Lubowich


the public

The Ronald MacDonald Houses are a home away from home for families of critically ill / traumatically injured children undergoing medical treatment in hospitals

• Astronomical demonstrations conducted using telescope observations (Sun, Moon, planets, stars, and nebulae) in conjunction with astronomical demonstrations and family activities: a soothing effect on children

• The RMH-Chicago education staff will be trained on go-to telescopes, astronomy outreach software, demonstration materials to sustain momentum



Astronomía Periférica – art & astromomy, Colombia

Project leader: Dr. Jaime Forero-Romero


the public

Brings the poetic force of astronomy into the periphery of Latin-American cities blending art, design and science

• ‘Satelistica’ deals with sonorizations and visualizations of satellite observations

• ‘Macrocosmos & Domestic Microcosmos’ uses household items as sculptures reminding us that we live in a planet traveling through the Universe

• ‘Notebook Universe’, a year-long project focusing on amateur drawing of naked eye and small telescope observations.





Chinese Ancient Poetry Astrophotography, China

Project leader: Ms. Bing Li


the public

• Posted on the Beijing Planetarium website for the world to see

• Exhibited in Beijing Planetarium exhibition hall

• Used as examples to unite and inspire more people to provide different

culture astronomic poems and astrophotography for the next exhibition

and website content all over the world

Bring together Chinese literature teachers, Astronomers & Photographers to produce 40 pictures inspired from Chinese poetry

Our ancestors were closer to the night sky than we are. Celestial objects such (Sun, Moon, Milky Way, stars & comets) are mentioned in many Chinese ancient poems/stories which saw the same sky 1200 years ago.



Bringing Astronomy to Remote Areas in Vietnam

Project leaders: Dr. Nguyen Luong Quang, Dang Tuan Duy & Nguyen Tan Vu


the public

• Aimed at building up a coherent, unique website to coordinate activities of amateur astronomy clubs in Vietnam & spread astronomical news

• Organising various observing nights and hands-on activities in remote provinces to increase awareness of people about astronomy.





Dark Skies Outreach to Sub-Saharan Africa, USA/Africa

Project leader: Dr. Connie Walker

Optimize and implement the successful Dark Sky Rangers / GLOBE at Night citizen scientist program in 12 African countries: Algeria, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

The GLOBE at Night program, hosted by the US National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution

• Invites citizen-scientists to record the brightness of the night sky by visually matching the appearance of a constellation like Orion with star maps of progressively fainter stars or using meters

• Set of environmental/astronomy-based lesson plans for grades 3 through 12 that help students learn the importance of maintaining dark skies.


the public




Limpopo Astronomy Public Outreach, SA

Project leader: Mr. Kosma Coronaios


the public

Limpopo Astronomy Public Outreach: 13 visits to various towns in the Limpopo Province of South Africa over the course of a 5 month period. 29 March – Polokwane (Mall of the North) 06 April – Bela Bela (Warmbaths, Forever Resorts) 18 May – Modimolle (Nylstroom) 25 May – Forever Resorts Tshipise 15 & 16 June – Thoyandou and Giyani 02 August – Makhado annual show 08 & 09 August – Tzaneen (Letaba, Expo)



• International Centre for Theoretical Physics – Associate Scientists (5 per year)

– Networks (3 per year)

– Individual travel grants (5 per year)

– Meetings and Workshops (2 per year)

– Schools for young scientists (2 per year)

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/ictp-oad/




• Royal Astronomical Society – Visiting experts

– Approximately 5 visits per year

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/rasexperts/

http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/rasexperts/

• Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research – Visiting experts

– Approximately 3 per year

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/nwooadexperts/

http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/nwooadexperts/

• International Science Programme (Uppsala) – Workshop for Physics lecturers

– Use Virtual Observatory and small telescope

– First workshop targets “historically black” universities in SA

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/activities/astrovarsity/astrow/

http://www.astro4dev.org/activities/astrovarsity/astrow/

• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics – Human Capital Development

– Visiting Experts

– Testing educational Resources

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/iucaa/

http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/iucaa/

• University of Central Lancashire – Distance learning scholarships (12 per year)

– Visiting experts

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/uclan/

http://www.astro4dev.org/partners/uclan/

• Microsoft Research – WorldWide Telescope Workshop

– Targeting science teachers

Collaborations


http://www.astro4dev.org/activities/wwtworkshop/

http://www.astro4dev.org/activities/wwtworkshop/

• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) – Celebration of World Space Week 2012

– Targeting science teachers in Ethiopia

– In partnership with Las Cumbres Observatory and Ethiopian Space Science Society

Collaborations


http://bit.ly/14CSBbM

http://bit.ly/14CSBbM

– Science Hack Day (“Hacking for Development”)

– Microsoft Worldwide Telescope Workshop

– Programming Workshops (Sutherland)

– Astronomy Teaching and Research Orientation Workshop

(instrumentation and data - HBUs)

– Undergraduate astronomy courseware

– East African Astronomy Workshop – Kampala

– Khan academy/astronomy videos

– AstroPack – global resource collection

– Evaluation of impact – Sutherland case study

– World Space Week (Ethiopia)

– Francophone Africa – Eclipse meeting 2013

Project Highlights (2012-2013)


– PPC visit to OAD/SAAO

– Brussels – EU Global Science Global Challenges

– OAO establishment – Japan

– AMCOST – Republic of Congo

– SALT Board Meeting

– JEG-8 at OAD/SAAO

– Angolan Delegation to OAD/SAAO

– Algeria – Astronomy festival and North Africa regional meeting

– SKA Human Capital Development Workshop

– NRF Science Awareness Workshop

– IAU General Assembly - China

Event Highlights (2012-2013)


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2015 Strategic Goals

• Active regional nodes on all continents

• Active Task Forces with yearly funding cycle

• Sustainable volunteer programme

• Secured funding for the OAD in the 2016 to 2020

period.

• Total accumulated fundraising exceeding those

made through the IAU-NRF agreement.


The way forward: a global impact


Regional nodes across the world coordinating activities that use

Astronomy for a Better World

Astronomy for a better world!

What you can do...

Spread the word: Follow us on - Facebook fb.com/astro4dev - Twitter @astro4dev - Mailing list

Become an intern or volunteer Log on www.astro4dev.org - Register as a volunteer - Browse our internships (to come)

Brainstorm & share ideas with us at [email protected] or contact us at astro4dev.org/contactus/ Apply for funding:

Call for Proposals open.


Documents

general presentation in PDF - IAU Office of Astronomy for