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Galileoscope Honored For Excellence

March 1, 2010

Project named second runner-up for Mani Bhaumik Prize

A project spearheaded by Carthage physics professor Doug Arion has been honored as a runner-up for the International Year of Astronomy 2009/Mani Bhaumik Prize for Excellence in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach.

The Galileoscope was named second runner-up for the Bhaumik Prize for its achievement of having designed, produced and shipped more than 180,000 low-cost telescope kits and associated educational materials to more than 96 countries, including 6,000 that were donated to developing nations.

The Galileoscope project team was led by Dr. Arion; Rick Fienberg, now press officer for the American Astronomical Society; and Stephen Pompea, manager of science education at the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson, Ariz.

"The Galileoscope was designed to enable people of all ages, whether living in the largest cities or the most rural areas, to make their own observations of mountains on the moon, the four largest moons of Jupiter, and the glowing nebula in Orion," Pompea said. "We are extremely proud that we were able to produce a rugged top-quality kit that is also ideal for the classroom. Thanks to a recent donation of 15,000 Galileoscopes by Ric and Jean Edelman, 100,000 more students will be having a marvelous time this spring observing the rings of Saturn and learning how science works."

The first-place Bhaumik Prize was awarded to From Earth to the Universe, which developed, organized and helped distribute large-scale astronomical images in non-traditional locations such as airports, bus and rail stations, outdoor plazas, and public festivals. FETTU fostored more than 500 exhibits around the world in nearly 70 countries, with dozens more locations slated for 2010 and beyond.

First runner-up was the global 24-hour live Webcast "Around the World in 80 Telescopes," which featured 80 professional telescopes in seven continents and reached more than 110,000 viewers.

The IYA2009 Galileo Teacher Training Program, which has helped more than 5,000 teachers in 40 countries improve their science teaching skills using the powerful appeal of astronomical concepts, also received a second runner-up prize.

Related links:
Putting the Stars in Plain Sight
Galileoscope project continues in 2010 and beyond