A brand-new Space Scoop astronomy website for kids is being launched today in 22 different languages. Space Scoop provides exciting news about the latest astronomical discoveries in simple language and is accompanied by a stunning astronomical image. Space Scoop discoveries are delivered directly by world-class space agencies and institutes in the world, allowing children across the globe to read them without delay.
Space Scoop is inviting children across the world to explore up-to-date Astronomy news bites. The goal of Space Scoop is to feed children’s curiosity about the Universe, to share the excitement of the latest scientific discoveries and to inspire them to develop an interest in science and a passion for learning.
The Space Scoop website features vibrant, eye-catching visual designs alongside fun graphics, images and icons tailored to the younger audience. It allows children to access the latest science news from renown astronomy and space research institutes, including the European Southern Observatory (ESO), NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). Space Scoop is a flagship project of the educational programmes Universe Awareness and Space Awareness.
Children and adults from all over the world can learn about the latest developments in astronomy and space sciences as they happen. The Space Scoop website is initially available in 22 languages: English, Dutch, German, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Farsi, French, Greek, Icelandic, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Sinhalese, Slovenian, Swahili, Tamil and Turkish.
To date, there are 300 Space Scoops available with new articles are released and translated weekly. The website also contains a selection of popular topics and a glossary where difficult space words are explained simply, giving children the chance to explore astronomical vocabulary and phenomena. Therefore, Space Scoops are great for classrooms; not only to introduce students to the exciting aspects of space exploration, but also to teach them about science and technology and the history of the Universe while enriching their vocabulary.
Space Scoops are available as written stories, which can be read on the Space Scoop website, downloaded, printed or even enjoyed on a mobile phone or tablet. The stories and pictures are licensed under a Creative Commons license and can be used as a fun and interesting feature on websites, magazines, newspapers and newsletters. You can also access Space Scoop on its dedicated Android App, which is available to download free on the Google Play store.
More information
Universe Awareness (UNAWE) uses exciting aspects of astronomy to inspire children aged 4 to 10, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds and raise their interest for science and technology. UNAWE also uses the perspective and vastness of the Universe to foster tolerance for different cultures and develop a sense of world citizenship. UNAWE components are teacher training, production of outstanding educational materials and an interdisciplinary network. UNAWE is coordinated by Leiden University, the Netherlands
Space Awareness is an international project which uses the excitement of space exploration in order to raise students’ interest in science and technology as well as space related careers and stimulate their sense of global citizenship. To achieve that, the project is offering a wide range of tools and activities to inspire children, teenagers, and teachers to be involved in space related activities. Among others, our project will offer activities which will include professional development tools, educational resources, Space Scoops, citizen science and games, as well as space careers stories. Space Awareness is coordinated Leiden University, the Netherlands.
Space Scoop is partially funded by the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement n° 263325, Horizon 2020 Programme under grant agreement n° 638653, European Southern Observatory (ESO), National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) network.
Space Scoop partners are the European Southern Observatory (ESO), NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory, the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), theNetherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), Europlanet, the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope(LCOGT) network and the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope
Links
● Space Scoop website: www.spacescoop.org
● Background information about Space Scoop: http://www.spacescoop.org/en/about/
● Universe Awareness: www.unawe.org
● Space Awareness: www.space-awareness.org
● Space Scoop Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gdogaru.spacescoop
Images: www.unawe.org/spacescoop/
Image A
Space Scoop on iPad.
Credit: L. Flickinger/C.Provot/UNAWE/Space Awareness
Image B
Space Scoop screenshot.
Credit: UNAWE/Space Awareness
Image C
Space Scoop logo.
Credit: UNAWE/Space Awareness/C.Provot
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