Do you want to gain first-hand experience in astronomy outreach and help to inspire the next generation of scientists? UNAWE's Student Ambassador project invites university students from all over the world to help us inspire children about our wonderful cosmos, and in return we offer valuable experience. Today marks the project's one year anniversary, and we're always looking for new people with to join the cause, so why not help us celebrate by signing up? All you need to get started is a lot of enthusiasm and a passion for astronomy!
Over the last year 80 students from six different continents have joined the project and are actively supporting the work of UNAWE through a diverse range of activities: translating Space Scoops (now available in 21 different languages), activity guides and books for distribution all over the world; organising and supporting planetarium events, observing events and teacher training sessions, taking part in astronomy science festivals and much more!
The position is voluntary with no enforced membership period, all we ask is that you contribute with at least one activity every six months – although you're encouraged to do as much as you can! Ambassadors are offered as much support and guidance as they need. To help you get started we have created a Student Ambassador Quick Guide that can be downloaded here. This includes advice on how to promote your event , how to evaluate your progress and how to sustain a long-term activity. It also provides a list of possible activities you could do:
- Organise an activity: UNAWE has a large existing repository of educational resources and activity guides that can provide inspiration and detailed guidance for you activities.
- Translate resources and help with online services: the UNAWE project now spans 54 countries and dozens of languages, help us to translate all of our free educational resources for distribution to all corners of our network.
- Develop and support existing local and international projects: Find out more about projects happening near you by contacting your national coordinator, you can their details here.
In October 2013 Heidelberg (Germany) will host the UNAWE International Workshop. The two most active Student Ambassadors will receive a travel-grant for attending the meeting! The selection will be based on the quality and impact of their work in the period between February and July. So get started, register here! If you'd like to help out, contact us at ambassadors@strw.leidenuniv.nl
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