Astronomy names award winner

Unique, multimedia approach to sharing astronomy with local community separates Washington club from the rest.

Published: September 14, 2006

Astronomy magazine editors selected Celestial North, Inc., an astronomy club in Freeland, Washington, to win the inaugural "Out-of-this-world" Award for public programming. This annual award honors ongoing outreach programming — not one specific event — as conducted by any educational or civic organization.

The $2,500 prize rewards Celestial North, Inc.'s sustained efforts to involve the Puget Sound community in the science and hobby of astronomy. Astronomy magazine editors chose Celestial North, Inc. from 32 clubs throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico, that submitted entries.

Celestial North, Inc.'s award-winning outreach includes:

A biweekly astronomy news radio show, "It's over your head" on local public broadcasting station KSER 90.7 FM. In addition to club members producing the show, Celestial North, Inc. invites kids to participate on the air and in the production process.

A partnership with the University of Washington's Project AstroBio program

Support of the state of Washington's Assessment of Student Learning through space-science presentations at different grade levels.

Multimedia presentations at local public schools, the Table Mountain Star Party, and Seattle's Pacific Science Center.

Celestial North, Inc. committed to putting the $2,500 toward enhancing and promoting their radio show and public presentations. The club believes the radio program, along with its extensive archive, can function as a dynamic classroom tool to help bring astronomy to students.

Runners-up for the 2006 award are Escambia Amateur Astronomers' Association in Pensacola, Florida, and the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers of Golden Pond, Kentucky.

Escambia Amateur Astronomers' Association (EAAA) brings astronomy to its community in a variety of ways. The club shares its interest in astronomy through events with scout troops, local schools, and a nearby Air Force base. In addition to these presentations, the EAAA also maintains an e-mail network to notify club members and local media of breaking space news.

The West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers conduct sidewalk programs with local schools, libraries, scout troops, and parks. These events include weekly summer sessions at the Kentucky Sheriffs' Boys and Girls Ranch — a camp for underprivileged children.

"Congratulations, and thank you to all the clubs that entered," Astronomy Editor Dave Eicher said. "Your tireless efforts and unwavering commitment sustain our beloved hobby. Indeed, today's public programs inspire tomorrow's scientists, astronomers, and astronauts."

To learn more about all the entrants in this year's Out-of-this-world Award please visit their web sites, listed below.

San Diego Astronomy Association
San Diego, CA
www.sdaa.org/

University of Denver's Chamberlin Observatory
Denver, CO
www.du.edu/~rstencel/Chamberlin/

Southwest Florida Astronomical Society
Cape Coral, FL
www.theeyepiece.org/

Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium
Fort Myers, FL
www.calusanature.com/

Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association
Pensacola, FL
www.eaaa.net/eaaasection.htm

Astro Day Institute
Hilo, HI
www.astroday.net/

Sangamon Astronomical Society
Springfield, IL
www.sas-sky.org/main.html

West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers
Golden Pond, KY
wkaa.net

North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club
Groveland, MA
www.nsaac.org/

Astronomical Society of Greenbelt
Greenbelt, MD
www.greenbeltastro.org/index.shtml

Tri-State Astronomers
Hagerstown, MD
www.tristateastronomers.org/

Westminster Astronomical Society
Sykesville, MD
www.westminsterastro.org/

University of Michigan Student Astronomical Society
Ann Arbor, MI
www.astro.lsa.umich.edu/sas/

Ford Amateur Astronomy Club
Dearborn, MI
www.boonhill.net/faac/

Eisenhower Astronomy Club
Chaska, MN
www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/district/CommED/fc-observ.html

Rochester Astronomy Club
Rochester, MN
www.rochesterskies.org/index.html

St. Louis Astronomical Society
St. Louis, MO
www.slasonline.org

Alliance for Astronomy, Inc.
Wentzville, MO
st-charles-astro.org

National Public Observatory
Radium Springs, NM
astro-npo.org

Rensselaer (RPI) Hirsch Observatory
Troy, NY
www.rpi.edu/dept/phys/observatory/home.htm

Miami Valley Astronomical Society
Bellbrook, OH
www.mvas.org

Cincinnati Observatory Center
Cincinnati, OH
www.cincinnatiobservatory.org

Norman North High School Astronomy Club
Norman, OK
www.norman.k12.ok.us/710/organizations/index.htm

Barinas Astronomy Group
Yauco, Puerto Rico

Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society
Brentwood, TN
www.bsasnashville.com

Gallatin High School
Gallatin, TN
ghs.sumnerschools.org/astronomy.htm

Brownsville Alliance for Science Education
Brownsville, TX
www.phys.utb.edu/base

Richmond Astronomical Society
Richmond, VA
www.richastro.org

Roanoke Valley Astronomical Society
Roanoke, VA
www.roavas.org

Celestial North, Inc.
Freeland, WA
www.celestialnorth.org

Tacoma Astronomical Society
Lakewood, WA
www.tas-online.org

Mukwonago area schools
Mukwonago, WI
www.mukwonago.k12.wi.us

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