Universe in a Box is a low-cost activity kit developed to assist teachers and educators in bringing astronomy to the classroom and outreach programmes in science centres and planetariums. Several schools around the world have already begun to introduce astronomy at the elementary school level. But despite the enthusiasm of primary school teachers, the resources available are not always suited for practical activities, which are regarded as necessary elements to promote the understanding of scientific principles for children of all ages. Universe in a Box is consequently designed to explain the difficult and sometimes abstract concepts of astronomy to young children by providing both practical activities as well as the materials and models required to do them.
Educational Goals
- Support elementary school curriculum with a didactic tool for teachers to help them overcome the hurdle of initial preparation by choosing appropriate focus areas and providing appropriate learning content and materials.
- Encourage inquiry-based learning among children, involving discussing, drawing conclusions, and presenting. Based on their own ‘horizon’ system (Earth), children discover the celestial phenomena in a step-by-step manner and are capable, because of their own observation, to adapt their world view to the true nature of things (e.g., the sphericity of the Earth).
- Link astronomical topics with other subjects such as mathematics, art, religion, etc. to support the interdisciplinary learning and present a more holistic view of our universe.
- Raise awareness of children to respect other cultures, the miracle of life, and protecting the Earth through the realization that we are all inhabitants of a small, blue planet Earth.
What's in the Box?
Universe in a Box has a modular design and comes with three modules: Earth-Moon-Sun System, The Planets, and The World of Constellations. Apart from the relevant background and activity descriptions, a handbook, which is in loose-leaf folder format, also offers ideas for teaching integrated astronomy with other disciplines, guidance on further experimentation, and photocopiable craft templates to extend and apply the newly learned knowledge.
Add-on modules on the life of a star, galaxies, and the Earth-Human system are currently in development, and educators are also encouraged to customize the box with additional activities and material of their own.
Who Can Use Universe in a Box?
Either individual activities or entire modules can be used in a classroom or a playroom, with an ideal instructor to student ratio of 1:20. The box has been designed for any instructor, including but not limited to
- Schools / Teachers
- Playgroups and Activity Centers
- Science Centres, Planetariums, Museums
- Amateur Astronomer Associations
- Outreach Programmes
- Independent Educators
Prototypes (English)
UNAWE is currently working on establishing a framework for the production and distribution of Universe in a Box and hopes to reach localized versions of the box to its network countries within one year.
We have developed 50 prototypes (in English) under the project. These prototypes will be distributed in January 2013 to educators to test it out among teachers in their country, and propose changes for localized development (e.g., making changes relevant to hemisphere and language, etc.).
Do-it-Yourself kits for the Box will also be made available in 2013 for educators / countries to assemble their own versions.
If you are interested in knowing more about Universe in a Box and would like to order one in the future, please contact us at: jayar@strw.leidenuniv.nl or info@unawe.org
We are eager to get your comments and remarks!
Credit List
Concept: Cecilia Scorza (EU-UNAWE Germany/House of Astronomy)
Project Management: Pedro Russo (UNAWE/Leiden University)
Educational Development: Cecilia Scorza and Natalie Fischer (EU-UNAWE Germany/House of Astronomy)
Business Development: Jaya Ramchandani (UNAWE/Leiden University)
Educational Support: Sara Khalafinejad (UNAWE/Leiden University) and Jos van den Broek (Leiden University)
