GHAAS - Grant Application

GREATER HAZLETON AREA
ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

The Luzerne Foundation Grant Application

I. PROPOSAL SUMMARY:

The Greater Hazleton Area Astronomical Society (GHAAS) was founded in 1977 as a non-profit educational organization to promote the study of astronomy and to provide an educational function for area residents. We are requesting a grant in the amount of $1500 towards the purchase of a portable computer display projector to replace an aging slide projector used in the delivery of our educational programs. Another source of funds for the project will be a $500 match earned from the Patchtown Days Fundraiser to cover the $2000 total cost. The $500 match will result from our collaboration with the PA Historical and Museum Commission and Eckley Miners' Village Associates. All residents of Luzerne County attending our astronomy programs will benefit from this enhancement of our program delivery.

II. INTRODUCTION:

Since the Society's inception, members have been involved in science education by providing special astronomy programs in collaboration and cooperation with public and private schools in our area. The society also provides astronomy programs for local organizations, scouting groups, the gifted-student program, state parks and the general public. GHAAS operates the Eckley Astronomical Observatory Site located in lower Luzerne County, where we conduct astronomical studies and hold public observing events for viewing the night sky with society telescopes. GHAAS is recognized by the astronomical community nationwide for the contributions by its members to the science of astronomy.

As a non-profit organization, GHAAS relies on member contributions, donations and fund-raising events for funding. Programs are provided by our members at no charge who volunteer their time, using their personal and society owned equipment and who receive no compensation.

Sherrie is a 3rd grade student at the Hazle Elementary School. Her thank you note is one of many her teacher has assembled as a way of thanking the GHAAS volunteer for a presentation on the night sky: "Thank you for coming to our class. I like stars and planets. Saturn is the best. I like to read about space."

How can we ensure that our children will excel in math and science? One way is to get students excited about math and science through the study of astronomy. GHAAS volunteers are catalysts for this in many ways:

Slide show presentations that explain the wonder and beauty of the night sky.
Safe daytime viewing of the Sun using projection telescopes
Nighttime telescope observing of stars, planets, galaxies and nebulae.
Programs to learn and observe star constellations in the night sky.
Telescope and binocular observing of special astronomy events such as comet appearances and solar and lunar eclipses.
Demonstrations of telescope types and their use.
Star parties to observe meteor showers.
Student workshops on model rocketry and model rocket launch events.

Many science teachers and scouting leaders in our area rely on GHAAS volunteers for their expertise to make astronomy presentations in the classroom and in the field. GHAAS regularly makes slide show presentations and provides telescope observing at night for students, scouting groups, state park visitors, civic groups and the general public.

III. PROBLEM STATEMENT/ASSESMENT OF NEED:

The society owns an old Kodak slide projector and a library of astronomy slides that have been used for many years to conduct our educational programs. Sources of astronomy education materials have moved away from the film slide media and are now mostly available on computer based media. In recent years we have been able to use a newer technology for presentations: computer display projectors.

Computer display projectors allow for more than a static image slide show. Animations of astronomical events such as eclipses, occultations, lunar phases and meteor appearances can be easily shown with a computer display projector. The excitement of a large city planetarium can be brought into a darkened classroom using the projector and a planetarium software program to display the night sky. In addition, live streaming video feeds over the internet from astronomical centers such as NASA and major observatories can be displayed. Society telescopes can be used to display live video images of the Moon and planets for group viewing.

Our society has decided to acquire a portable indoor/outdoor computer display projector because of the advantages it provides over our slide projector and the improvements that would result in the delivery of our educational programs for many years to come.

IV. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

The goal of this grant is to improve the quality and content of our educational programs to residents of all ages in our local communities. The grant will greatly enhance the delivery of our astronomy programs that assist local schools and scouting groups to encourage student interest and proficiency in math and science. Specific measurable outcomes of the grant include: increased availability and use of astronomy educational materials such as astronomy astrophotographs and animations, planetarium type presentations of the night sky using computer software, display of live streaming video feeds from NASA and major observatories and group viewing of live video images of the Moon and planets.

A record will be maintained of all use of the computer display projector. A logbook will be used to record the place, date and times used along with the names of the society presenter and group receiving the program and number of participants. The Society Director will make an annual report in January of each year summarizing the use of the projector and program accomplishments.

Thank you for your consideration of this grant request. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our society and its programs.

Scott McAndrews
Director - GHAAS