From the 5th to the 11th of July UNAWE´s team from Leiden University held a science communication residency at the Museu da Luz in Alentejo, Portugal. We participated in a program intended to get children from nearby towns excited about space and astronomy. We introduced topics to the children in more approachable and interactive ways that are fun learning experiences for the children. This helped make certain topics we covered about space and light less overwhelming to learn about for young students.
This programme was an initiative of Leiden University to foster some of the International Year of Light 2015 goals. The aim was to raise awareness about the importance of light for science and society, and the use of technology for greater energy efficiency and the importance of preserving dark skies as a natural resource.
The weeks of work culminated into three days of workshops with school children about Light & Shadows. The topics covered parralleled some of those represented in the exhibition the team installed at the museum, “Cosmic Light: Beyond the Bulb”, open until September 2015. Museu da Luz was responsible for the opening and welcome of more than 40 people, including Representatives of the National IYL2015 Commission and professionals from very different fields from all over the world.
Among the speakers were: Elisabeth Silva, member of the National Commission for the AIL-UNESCO; Teresa Peña, President of the Portuguese Physical Society and also member of the National Commission for the AIL; Maria José Roxo, University Professor of Geography at FCSH-UNL; Miguel Proença, Photographer and Rosa Doran, chair of the Galileo Teacher Training Program. The program also included a guided tour of the night-sky through a telescope.
According to UNAWE´S team, the science-in-residence programme was an opportunity to develop content for fun and interactive educational activities about the importance of Light & Shadows in science, namely in the Alqueva region in Portugal. Team members designed and performed hands-on activities with 80 children from 6 to 16 years old. These included making a sundial, exploring characteristics of indivudal planets, designing your own alien, and understanding the moon phases and the science behind some optical illusions.
Part of the challenge was trying to adapt the activities according to the age and language of students. Trying to explain topics, such as what causes night as day, in a way that does not come off as not dull or overwhelming to young children is not the easiest task. The activities were based in English, but translated to Portuguese so that the students could understand completely. Explaining the activities in both languages could encourage a more global view of space and light. We felt that the kids enjoyed and learned a lot from the activities. This program was a success and the team feels that the learning goals were accomplished.
UNAWE Leiden Team
Pedro Russo, Leiden University
Iris Nijman, Leiden University
Maria Gaivão, Leiden University
Anne Kerkhoven, Leiden University
Arianna Weingarten, University of California Santa Cruz
Odile Bouchard, University of California Santa Cruz
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