Stockton Astronomical Society

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Striking Sparks Telescope Awards Program

2011 Sonoma County Astronomical
Society Striking Sparks Winners and Sponsors

2011 Sonoma County Astronomical Society Striking Sparks Winners and Sponsors

This is the introductory year of the Stockton Astronomical Society's Striking Sparks Telescope Awards Program. We aim to promote science education in San Joaquin County and engender an interest in Astronomy in our youth. We think it's time to strike some sparks of interest by providing telescopes and mentoring to open up the Universe to young minds.

Our program is based on the program of the same name run by the Sonoma County Astronomical Society. They have given away over 120 telescopes over the past 26 years. Some of those recipients are now professional astronomers and astrophysicists. Some have maintained a lifelong hobby interest in astronomy. Sparks were struck and fires were lit. We looked at their program and asked, "Why aren't we doing that?" Next year, the photo above will show San Joaquin County students with new telescopes.

The contest is open to students in grades 1-12 who are either in San Joaquin County, or live in an area with an active Stockton Astronomical Society (SAS) mentor. We will award the contest winners new, easy-to-use, reflecting (6-inch mirror), Dobsonian-mount telescopes to students that have been nominated by their teachers or by SAS members.

Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to obtain an entry packet here: Striking Sparks Entry Packet (503KB PDF file)

All contest entries must be postmarked no later than Saturday, February 11, 2012. Telescopes will be presented to the contest winners at the Stockton Astronomical Society meeting on Thursday, March 8, 2012.

Questions? Call the Striking Sparks Coordinator:
Jerry Hyatt (209) 565-1424 Email: iamstillinthedark@gmail.com or
Jeff Baldwin (SAS - President) (209) 594-1894 Email: baldjeff@comcast.net