Jay, your post just gave me an idea. (So if it doesn't work I'll know who to blame. :) ) Maybe rather than spend lots of money on telescopes which are given away, even if it happens to be a person who just happened to be shopping at Harmons and happens by and wins a scope, maybe do as has been suggested and give away books, charts, subscriptions and maybe binoculars. And then put the real money towards classes where the students spend a couple of afternoons learning about astronomy, telescope use and building a good quality telescope that they then get to keep. And, BTW, I see no problem with discussing most SLAS matters here. After all, all SLAS meetings are open to the public. Of course no SLAS matter can be officially approved here but discussion is ok and if there's enough interest discussions here can be continued in an official SLAS meeting. And speaking of SLAS meetings, next Wednesday is the annual transitional board meeting where the outgoing and incoming boards meet along with any other interested persons to lay out plans for the upcoming year. Seems to me that would be a great place to officially discuss this sort of thing. patrick On 02 Dec 2013, at 23:35, Jay Eads <jayleads@gmail.com> wrote:
Clark Planetarium until a few years ago when I assume funding from the legislature got cut had a program where teachers and students could sign up for a 3 day course and at the end of the 3 days they put together a base for either a XT8 (teachers) or a XT6 for students. I had several students from my astronomy program apply, and get accepted to that program and got a XT6. I know that out of 6, 3 are still using them 5 years or more later. Actually one via her mother contacted me on Facebook about a solar filter for her XT6 just last week and I was able to help her. I know what she is getting for Christmas. So with the Clark program kids were taught the constellations, given an Uncle Al star wheel and taught to use, and then taught how to use the scope. More was in there as well. I don't think that a fifty percent retention is bad. I'm sure for the program it may have been lower as my students got further support after the class while using the scope.
In terms of my own opinion as an educator, kids don't need to be lectured. They need to be taught some basic skills, then scaffolded as they learn to use the telescope. Show them, then get out of the way because they will learn, apply and go. I believe firmly it is best to give a basic level of rudimentary knowledge, then get the kids actively engaged in the learning process by applying what they learned.If they need you, you can tell if your attentive or the kids will simply ask.
I also agree with Brent that binoculars and a good atlas and book can accomplish the same thing. I guess it just depends what the goal is. I also think it is important for people to know that this is coming from the ZAP grant (correct) from SL County Zoo and Parks, not coming from SLAS funds. The grant is made to be used in activities like this I believe but someone can confirm that. The question for members of SLAS and the board is what is the best way to use the grant money to accomplish the goal that the give away is trying to accomplish. Is it fewer items with a higher quality telescope and good supports, or is it binoculars with supports?
I think the thread is getting into what to do if there is a give away and I think that is best for either a board meeting or a general meeting (up to the board) for SLAS, since this isn't a SLAS message board. The discussion here is on WHAT to give away, a quality scope or a set of binoculars, or something else. Perhaps besides the scope or binoculars the discussion has to be on what other pieces of equipment should be a part of hte give away with the scope. Just some thoughts, feel free to disagree or state your own view. I'm done now as I mentioned equipment for scopes that couldbe mentioned. What binoculars for say $100 to $200 would you give away?