coal
Use Space Scoop astronomy news stories For children a5
the basis for 4 credtive uriking and crawing activity.
= Mulkiple copies of several Space Scoop releases
Cavdilable From wwu.eu-unawe.org/kids)
= Crayons
~ A pen and paper (or 4 computer)
Getting Familiar wich astronomy and science journalism;
: improving crective thinking, liveracy skills and Leam working skilsWhile professional astronomers strive to further our
understanding oF the Universe, science communicators are doing an
equally important. job: sharing this new knowledge with the public.
‘Astronomy communication is especially important. for children,
where the aim oF highlighting exciting new discoveries is to inspire
them to develop an interest in science and technology.
EU Universe Awareness (EU-UINAWE) has created an astronomy
news service For young children, called Space Scoop (wuu.eu-
unawe.orgikids). The idea behind Space Scoop is Lo change how
astronomy and space sciences are ofken presented Lo young children
45 historical subjects.
By sharing excicing new astronomical discoveries with them, we
aim to inspire them to develop an interest in science and
technology,
In addition Lo being q fankastic resource to introduce young
children bo the world of science, Space Scoop can also be used a5
reference material by teachers for developing lessons in credkive
uuriking and drawing,
Print out lots of different Space Scoops. Separace the children into
groups in different. pares of the classroom and distribuke the Space
‘Scoops 50 that the children only see Lhe Space Scoop that they are
working on.C
OAT WR eld
Tell the children Lo imagine thae they are in a spaceship (Lhey can be
human or an alien) and that they Saw the astronomical objeckis) or
event in the Space Scoop release.
Ask them to wrike 4 description of the object{s) or event in the
form of an eyewikness account. Emphasise the need to use obs
OF adjectives.
Alternative: Ask the children to re-tell the Space Scoop in the
form of q poem.
Tall the children bo swap their stories with someone from a
different. group. Then ask them to draw q picture of the
astronomical object. or event described by their classmate.
The drawing must be based solely on Lhe eyewieness accoun,
without looking dé. the original Space Scoop.
‘Ask the children bo pair yp with the person that they swapped
their story wich. Are the drawings similar Lo whde the storytellers
had imaged the objects or event would ook like when writing their
eyewitness accounts (or if they are similar to the picture used in
the Space Scoops)? IF they are different, ask them bo bry bo
figure Out why. Could the storyteller have included more description
to help the reader? Or is this astronomical object or event so
strange and bizarre that there are many possible ideas for what it.
may look like, which are li equally righ? Do professional aserono-
mers even know how ie really looks?
i ey