Each year the Stockton Astronomical Society awards five telescopes to winners of their Striking Sparks Contest, which aims to promote science education and engender interest in astronomy in San Joaquin youth.  Three members of North Stockton 4-H, Lilianna Guadagnolo, Emily Stenzler, and Elliot Stenzler, all entered the contest and each were recently awarded a reflecting Dobsonian-mount telescope.

Contestants had to be sponsored by a teacher, and they also had to attend a minimum of three events which included star parties and SAS meetings.  They then had to write an essay about what they love about astronomy and what they would do with the telescope if they won.  Lilliana wrote about wanting to know more about the unknown. Emily expressed being interested in astronomy at the young age of 3 and wanting to further her knowledge by having a telescope to use at her cabin in the mountains. Elliott wrote about using his telescope for a new astronomy project for 4-H.

You can learn more about the Stockton Astonomical Society and the Striking Sparks contest at http://www.stocktonastro.org/StrikingSparks.html. 

Congratulations to these members, and we look forward to hearing more about your new astronomy project!