iau strategic plan “astronomy for the developing world” building from iya 2009 why astronomy for...

IAU STRATEGIC PLAN “ASTRONOMY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD”

BUILDING FROM IYA 2009

• Why astronomy for capacity building?

• Present IAU activities - education and development

• Vision goals and strategy of plan

• Implementation and present status

GEORGE MILEY Leiden University

IAU Executive Committee

http://iau.org/static/education/strategicplan_091001.pdf

ASTRONOMY

TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

CULTURE AND SOCIETY

WHY ASTRONOMY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD?

ASTRONOMY

OPTICS High-precision adaptive

optics COMPUTERS Fastest hardware

Complex software

ELECTRONICS Most sensitive

detectors Fastest clocks

SPACE Satellites Miniaturization

Precision


ASTRONOMY


opticsCOMPUTERS Fastest

hardware Complex software




Precision

PHYSICS

Laboratory of extremes Making heavy elements

CHEMISTRY

Producing organic molecules

BIOLOGY

Building blocks of life

MATHEM-ATICS Abstract thought



ASTRONOMY AS SCIENCE

• Inexpensive laboratories for studying laws of physics under extreme conditions:

– Largest energies (~ 1061 erg). – Largest densities 1018 kg/m3. – Most tenuous vacuum – Largest sizes > 10 million light years

• Frontier science do-able from anywhere in world

ASTRONOMY







Precision

PHYSICS


CHEMISTRY


BIOLOGY


MATHEM-ATICS Application of sophisticated formalisms

INSPIRATION

Career in science and technology

ANTHRO-POLOGY

Ancient civilizations

Our roots



CULTURE AND SOCIETY

ASTRONOMY







Precision

PHYSICS


CHEMISTRY


BIOLOGY



INSPIRATION


ANTHRO-POLOGY


Our roots

HISTORY

Evolution of Universe

Our roots



CULTURE AND SOCIETY

HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE

Everything came out of the Big Bang!!

ASTRONOMY







Precision

PHYSICS


CHEMISTRY


BIOLOGY



INSPIRATION


ANTHRO-POLOGY


Our roots

HISTORY


Our roots

PERSPECTIVE

IMMENSITY OF UNIVERSE

Tolerance and global citizenship



CULTURE AND SOCIETY

ASTRONOMY


opticsCOMPUTERS

Fastest hardware Complex software




Precision

PHYSICS


CHEMISTRY


BIOLOGY


MATHEM-ATICS Abstract thought

INSPIRATION


ANTHRO-POLOGY Ancient civilizations

Our roots

HISTORY


Our roots

PERSPECTIVE IMMENSITY OF

UNIVERSE

Tolerance and global citizenship



CULTURE AND SOCIETY

PRE-IYA IAU CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES Commission 46 (President: Rosa Ros)

PROGRAM GROUP

PURPOSE ACTIVITY LEAD

World Wide Development of Astronomy (WWDA)

Initial contact with developing country

Visits and scientific lectures

John Hearnshaw

Teaching for Astronomy Development (TAD)

Astronomy education at university level

Visits and national schools for undergraduates

Ed Guinan + Larry Marschall

International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA)

Stimulate young researchers in developing countries

Regional schools for graduate students

Jean-Pierre De Greve

IAU COMMISSION 46 PROGRAM GROUP

TEACHING FOR ASTRONOMY DEVELOPMENT (TAD)Present Co-Chairs Ed Guinan and Larry Marschall

• Assist in development of astronomical education– Visits, development of courses, sponsoring of national schools– Oriented towards university education

RECENT COUNTRIES TARGETED BY TAD

TAD SCHOOL MONGOLIA 2008

IAU CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES (PRE-IYA)Commission 46 (President: Rosa Ros)

PROGRAM GROUP


World Wide Development of Astronomy (WWDA)

Initial contact with developing country

Visits and scientific lectures

John Hearnshaw

Teaching for Astronomy Development (TAD)

Astronomy education at university level

Visits and national schools for undergraduates

Ed Guinan + Larry Marschall

International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA)

Stimulate young researchers in developing countries

Regional schools for graduate students

Jean-Pierre De Greve

BUILDIN

G RESEARCH C

APACITY

NEW IAU CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES(Pre-University Education)

PROGRAM GROUP


Galileo Teachers Training Program (GTTP)

Teacher training.

Complementary to NASE

High-tech tools and resources.

Rosa Doran

Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE)

Teacher training.

Complementary to GTTP

Regional schools, particularly in developing countries.

Develop and translate material.

Rosa Ros

Universe Awareness (UNAWE)

Use astronomy to inspire very young children:

Give perspective, broaden minds, introduce rational thought

Expose children aged 4 – 10 to inspirational aspects of astronomy.

Concentrates on under-privileged children

Carolina Ödman

ASTRONOMY EDUCATION PROGRAM WITH SOCIAL GOALS

UNIVERSE AWARENESS

“UN-AWE”

Programme thatExposes DISADVANTAGED young children (4 – 10)

to INSPIRATIONAL aspects of astronomy

* Bottom-up network* ~ 500 dedicated multidisciplinary experts * in ~ 40 countries

UNAWE - MOTIVATION• Ages 4 - 10 are crucial for child development

• Beauty and size of the Universe excite young children– Gives perspective – stimulates tolerance and sense of world citezenship– Gateway to science and rational thought

• Most need for economically disadvantaged children

• Combat fanaticism

"Fanatic ethnic, religious or national identifications are difficult to support when we see our planet as a fragile, blue crescent fading to become an inconspicuous point of light against the bastion and citadel of the stars. “ CARL SAGAN

EARTH FROM SATURN (CASSINI)EARTH FROM SATURN (CASSINI)

MOTIVATION FOR IAU DECADAL PLAN

• Fostering astronomy in developing countries is important part of IAU mission

• Continue momentum of IYA and relevant cornerstone programs– “Building from IYA 2009”– e.g. Developing astronomy globally

• Plan for Astronomy Education and Outreach in Africa

• Rationalise and coordinate diverse existing Commission 46 activities– Much achieved already with volunteers and relatively meager resources

• 10,000 members + postdocs + PhD students etc.– Cannot be expanded further purely on voluntary basis

• Exploit new opportunities in development and education

• Prerequisite to external fund-raising

IAU STRATEGIC PLAN

• Long-term vision– All countries participate at some level in astronomical research

– All children exposed to some knowledge about astronomy as part of their education

• Goals for 2010 – 2020– Raise the level of astronomy in as many countries as possible by one or

more category, while maximising the size of the population affected.

– Work to include aspects of astronomy in primary and secondary education of as many children as possible

ELEMENTS OF PLAN - 1 • Integrated STRATEGIC PHASED approach (e.g. IYA Cornerstone “Developing astronomy globally)

– Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach

ELEMENTS OF ASTRONOMY FOR DEVELOPMENT

ASTRONOMY

Primary Education

Secondary Education

Tertiary EducationResearch

Science Public Outreach

Excites Stimulates imagination

Introduces scienceGives perspective

Inspires Gateway to sciences

Stimulates career in science and engineering

Analytic skillsWork in international teams

Preparation for careersin technology & management

Inexpensive entry to visible world-class researchand cutting-edge technology

Most approachable scienceWide interest

STAGES OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

• Developed Group 1A• 4 IAU Members per million

• Developed Group 1B• 0.5 - 4 IAU members per million• Participate in or host front-line facilities

• Emerging Group 2• 0.5 - 4 IAU members per million• Do not yet participate in or host front-line facilities

• Developing Group 3• Not yet national member of IAU, but > 1 individual IAU members

• Potential developing Group 4• No astronomers as yet, but well-developed tertiary education

• Underdeveloped Group 5• No astronomers. Tertiary education not yet well-developed

STAGES OF ASTRONOMICAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

• Developed Group 1A• 4 IAU Members per million

• Developed Group 1B• 0.5 - 4 IAU members per million• Participate in or host front-line facilities

• Emerging Group 2• 0.5 - 4 IAU members per million• Do not yet participate in or host front-line facilities

• Developing Group 3• Not yet national member of IAU, but > 1 individual IAU members

• Potential developing Group 4• No astronomers as yet, but well-developed tertiary education

• Underdeveloped Group 5• No astronomers. Tertiary education not yet well-developed

TARGET FOR STIMULATING RESEARCH GROWTH

TARGET FOR STIMULATING RESEARCH GROWTH

TARGET FOR INITIATING RESEARCH GROUPS

TARGET FOR STIMULATING PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

ELEMENTS OF PLAN - 2 • Integrated STRATEGIC PHASED approach

– Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach• New Comm. 46 Program Group for primary and secondary education• Coordination with complementary programs and amateur astronomer groups

• Increase regional involvement – Regional nodes– Better appreciation of special conditions and closer to the targets– Bottom-up approach

ASTRONOMY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

• Considerable differences between regions• Sub-Saharan Africa is least developed

No. of countries

GENERAL WORLD EDUCATION STATE

• Considerable differences between regions• Sub-Saharan Africa has most need for education

Literacy etc

ELEMENTS OF PLAN - 3 • Integrated STRATEGIC PHASED approach

– Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach• New Comm. 46 Program Group for primary and secondary education• Coordination with complementary programs and amateur astronomer groups

• Increase regional involvement – Regional nodes– Better appreciation of special conditions and closer to the targets– Bottom-up approach– Special attention to Sub-Saharan Africa

• Enlarge number of active volunteers– Potential people resources

• ~ 10,000 IAU members (established professional astronomers)• Postdocs and graduate students• Astronomy teachers, educational experts, outreach specialists• Amateur astronomers• Mobilize expatriates

ELEMENTS OF PLAN - 4 • Integrated STRATEGIC phased approach

– Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach• Increase regional involvement

– Special attention to Sub-Saharan Africa• Enlarge number of active volunteers

• Initiation of new programs– Endowed semi-popular lectureship program

• Also astronomy-related technology– Long-term (sustainable) institute twinning

• Use IYA as springboard– Continue and stimulate relevant cornerstone projects

• e.g. Developing science globally, Teacher training, UNAWE, Galileoscopes– Build on IYA networks (SPOCS etc)

• Exploit new possibilties– Internet– Archives of large astronomical facilities

USEFUL EDUCATIONAL TOOLS – 1ASTRO-BUS

• Innovative activity of La Cité des Sciences, Tunis. • Transports small telescope + mini-planetarium + exhibition. • Inspiring children throughout Tunisia, even in remotest villages.• During 2008 > reached 150,000 children!

Idea could be exported to many countries

USEFUL EDUCATIONAL TOOLS – 2

USEFUL EDUCATIONAL TOOLS – 3 ROBOTIC TELESCOPE NETWORKS

• Faulkes Telescope Project– Las Cumbres Observatory

• For use by schools

Small telescopes and planetaria donated by Official Development Assistance (ODA) of JAPAN

Astronomical Equipment (reflecting telescope and

accessories)

Planetarium

USEFUL EDUCATIONAL TOOLS – 4

7 telescopes, 20 planetaria to 22 developing nations

ELEMENTS OF STRATEGIC PLAN - 5 • Integrated STRATEGIC phased approach

– Education (primary, secondary, tertiary ), Research, Public outreach• Increase regional involvement

– Special attention to Sub-Saharan Africa• Enlarge number of active volunteers• Initiation of new programs• Use IYA as springboard

– Continue and stimulate cornerstone projects• Exploit new possibilities

– Internet– Archives of large astronomical facilities– Astro-buses – Galileoscopes– Robotic telescope networks

• Creation of small professional IAU Global Development Office (2FTE) for coordination– Essential to facilitate expansion of activities, realise potential and demonstrate

professional management for fund givers • e.g. IYA, UNAWE

ASTRONOMY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD SOME ELEMENTS OF DECADAL PLAN

IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN • Flexibly

– In step with available funding

• Establishment of GDO/OAD has priority– Fund-raising and coordination

PRESENT STATUS • AO for Global Astronomy Office of Development

– Letters of intent – 31 December 2009• Overwhelming response: ~ 40 submitted

– Proposals - 28 February 2010• 20 submitted

– Selection by IAU Executive Committee (10 people) May 2010• Confidential independent ranking, telecon discussion• 2010 face-to-face meeting Baltimore :11 – 13 May

– Recruitment of Director

– Iteration of strategy

– Announcement of opportunity for regional nodes

– Fund raising for activities

IAU BUDGET FOR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

General Assemblies10%

Scientific Activities27%

Educational Activities

10%

Executive Committee

16%

Secretariat/Admin37%

General Assemblies15%

Scientific Activities24%

Educational Activities

17%

Executive Committee

17%

Secretariat/Admin27%

2007 - 2009 2010 - 2012

10% 17%€ 144,000 annually

Culture

INSPIRATION

Technology

Science

• Long-term vision

• Goals for 2010 – 2020

• Strategy– Build on IYA momentum and

cornerstones– Integrated strategic phased approach– Increase regional involvement

(bottom-up)– Enlarge number of active volunteers– Initiate new types of activity– Advance UN Millennium Goals– Exploit new tools and opportunities – Create small “Office for Astronomy

Development”

• Implementation roadmap

• Fundraising possibilities

“Exploring the Universe

for the benefit of humankind”

IAU STRATEGIC PLAN “ASTRONOMY FOR THE DEVELOPING WORLD”

http://iau.org/static/education/strategicplan_091001.pdf

ANNUAL DIRECT COSTS

Astronomy for universities and research

Visits Training schools Institute twinning

€ 300,000

Astronomy for Schools Training schools € 100,000

Public outreach Endowed lectures € 100,000

5 regional node institutes

5 x € 30,000 € 150,000

Regional coordinator support

5 x € 15,000 € 75,000

IAU Global development office

DirectorAdministrative assistant

€ 250,000

FUNDING ACTIVITIES

• ~ € 1M per year needed for IAU programs and coordination• Larger amount (> € 10M) needed for complementary programs (primary,

secondary education) – Ambitious but feasible goal for decade as whole

• Small voluntary levy on astronomical projects and institutes in developed countries (~0.7%?)

• (Voluntary?) “development levy on IAU membership dues

• In-kind contributions from host institutes

• International and national foundations

• Multinational companies operating in developing countries

• International and regional development agencies

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