Universe Awareness outreach programme hosted locally at South African Astronomical Observatory honoured with prestigious international award
The Universe Awareness (UNAWE) programme, with which the S.A. Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is intimately involved, has been honoured with the Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE) award. Science Magazine introduced the SPORE award as a means to showcase the best educational resources that are available on the Internet and to bring them to a wider audience. The SAAO's involvement in the UNAWE programme has been very strong, and recently received EU funding to ensure the continuation of the programme locally, with the SAAO responsible for hosting the local manager for UNAWE.
"We are delighted to hear about SPORE award. UNAWE focuses on young disadvantaged children and with its activities we are succeeding in awakening their curiosity, stimulating their interest in science and also encouraging them to appreciate the multicultural origins of astronomy, particularly, Africa's contribution to science" - Sivuyile Manxoyi, manager of the SALT Collateral Benefits Programme at SAAO.