UNAWE Sri Lanka has been working steadily in the past year to bring the wonder of our Universe to children around the country. Here is a recap of their activities from the past year:
1) Most recently, UNAWE Sri Lanka has adapted the weekly Space Scoop to the local language of Sinhalese. They are currently in the process of looking for a translator to also make Space Scoop available in Tamil, making this exciting resource available to a broad range of Sri Lankan children.
2) From 27-28 March, 2010, the Sacred Heart Convent in Galle (South) Sri Lanka welcomed astronomers for a workshop on the Universe. The workshop included short lectures and demonstrations, as well as creative astronomy theatre, and, most memorably, a chance to look through telescopes at the Moon and Saturn. For many of these young girls, this was their first experience seeing our Universe on a more personal level.
3) To celebrate his 24th “Orbit around the Sun” on 18 April, 2010, UNAWE Sri Lanka coordinator Thilina Heenatigala made a visit to a nearby orphanage for girls. The activities for the day included Earth Ball demonstrations, short talks about our Universe, a Solar System walk, exhibitions, rocket launches, and, of course, birthday cake! What a wonderful way to share a new year of life!
4) Last summer, the FIFA2010 tournament captured the hearts of sports-fans internationally. To commemorate this event, UNAWE Sri Lanka participated in A Match Under Starlight, a nighttime football match for children around the world. After the match, children were able to look through telescopes at the night sky above them. In numerous countries, on several continents, children played the same game, and observed the same sky, bringing together the UNAWE ideals of teamwork, playfulness, international mindfulness, and an appreciation of our Universe.
5) On 30 October, 2010, visiting astronomer Michael Snowden met with six Sri Lankan high school students to discuss new advances in Astronomy as well as potential opportunities in astronomy higher education. By talking directly with a professional, these young people were directly inspired to pursue potential careers in astronomy.
6) The international Naming Planet X contest, held last year, asked children from around the world to come up with a name of a new planet, should it be discovered. Sixteen-year-old Nuwani Ishara Thotawatta represented Sri Lanka as a runner-up, proposing the name “Anima” for Planet X. Anima translates roughly to “soul,” and as Nuwani says, a new planet brings “new expectations to our soul to live on a new planet [such] as the Earth.”
Future Plans for UNAWE Sri Lanka:
In the following year, UNAWE Sri Lanka hopes to focus more on children in orphanages, as these children receive little education, and have no support from family members. \
More information about the UNAWE programme in Sri Lanka: http://unawe-srilanka.blogspot.com/
Links
http://unawe-srilanka.blogspot.com/
Share:
