Contents of a Universe-in-a-Box toolkit

In January 2014, the Cardiff University’s Universe in the Classroom project began providing welsh primary schools with new and innovative tools to teach improve the teaching of science across the country. One of these resources was the Universe-in-a-Box educational toolkit

Universe-in-a-Box is a selection of hands-on astronomy materials — including a scale model of the Solar System, an inflatable Earth ball and a planisphere — and an accompanying guide with over 40 astronomy-based activities.

The toolkit was designed to assist primary school teachers in bringing science into the classroom through enquiry-based activities, with the aim of sparking a curiosity about the Universe, and a thirst for knowledge, in young children.

Children learn about their place in the Universe with UNAWE Earth Balls

Now, the developers of Universe-in-a-Box, Universe Awareness, are aiming to make the resource available to children all over the world — particularly those in underprivileged communities — through a crowdfunding campaign.

The funds raised by the campaign will be used to distribute Universe-in-a-Box toolkits to underprivileged communities and train primary school teachers to use it.

The Kickstarter campaign runs from 9 May until 10 June and aims to raise €15,000. For more information about the campaign and to contribute, please vist the Universe in a Box Kickstarter Campaign page below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unawe/universe-in-a-box