[AstroNet] A well deserved Science Prize goes to Carolina Odman

[Thembela Mantungwa]

Universe Awareness outreach programme hosted locally at South African Astronomical Observatory honoured with prestigious international award 
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The Universe Awareness (UNAWE) programme, with which the S.A. Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is intimately involved, has been honoured with the Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE) award. Science Magazine introduced the SPORE award as a means to showcase the best educational resources that are available on the Internet and to bring them to a wider audience. 

The SAAO's involvement in the UNAWE programme has been very strong, and recently received EU funding to ensure the continuation of the programme locally, with the SAAO responsible for hosting the local manager for UNAWE. "We are delighted to hear about SPORE award. UNAWE focuses on young disadvantaged children and with its activities we are succeeding in awakening their curiosity, stimulating their interest in science and also encouraging them to appreciate the multicultural origins of astronomy, particularly, Africa's contribution to science", said Sivuyile Manxoyi, manager of the SALT Collateral Benefits Programme at SAAO. 

The prize goes to Dr. Carolina Ödman-Govender the developer of the UNAWE programme. Dr. Ödman-Govender has worked in science for development for many years, before joining the South African Astronomical Observatory and the African Institute for Mathematical Science (AIMS) in 2010. She is now holding the position of director of academic development of the AIMS – Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS – NEI). “One of the key features of UNAWE is its openness, it is a form of crowd-sourced education. A vast network of educators contribute educational materials and resources, which are uploaded to the UNAWE website. They can then be distributed, adapted and translated for use in other countries”, says Carolina who is passionate about openness and availability of education. 

UNAWE is an international programme that uses the beauty and grandeur of the Universe to inspire children aged 4-10 years, particularly those from an underprivileged background. The programme uses astronomy to cultivate a sense of perspective, foster a global citizenship and stimulate interest in science at a crucial age in a child’s development. The UNAWE website hosts a vast repository of educational materials that are produced by the programme’s network of almost 500 educators and astronomers in 40 countries – one of the biggest international networks of science educators. UNAWE is a programme endorsed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). 

For UNAWE press release see: www.unawe.org/press/UNAWE1103/ 
For IAU press release see: www.iau.org/public_press/news/detail/iau1104/ 
For AIMS-NEI press release see: http://www.nexteinstein.org/aims-nei-director-of-academic-development-awarded-prestigious-science-education-prize-by-science-magazine 


Contact Information 

SAAO 

Dr. Enrico Olivier 
SAAO, PO Box 9, Observatory, 7935, South Africa 
Tel: +27 21 447 0025 
olivier at saao.ac.za 


AIMS 

Ms. Linda Camara 
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences 
6 Melrose Rd, Muizenberg, 7945, South Africa 
Tel: + 27 21 787 9263 
Fax: + 27 21 787 9321 
linda at aims.ac.za 



AIMS - NEI 

Ms. Vicky Mbalo 
AIMS – NEI Secretariat 
5 Hillcrest road, Muizenberg, 7945, South Africa 
Tel: +27 21 709 0617 
vickyn at nexteinstein.org 


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Regards 

Thembela Mantungwa 
S.A. Astronomical Observatory 
Tel: 021 460 9319 
Fax: 086 612 7502 
Email: tm at saao.ac.za 
Website: www.saao.ac.za / www.salt.ac.za 


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