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Four hundred years ago this year, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei pointed his astronomical telescope toward the starry sky. Among other fabulous discoveries, he observed craters on the Moon, the phases of Venus, the moons of Jupiter and spots on the Sun. Galileo forever changed our vision of the Universe and our place in it.

To salute these remarkable discoveries, UNESCO and the International Astronomical Union have declared 2009 the “International Year of Astronomy.” The Montréal Planetarium hopes that everyone will experience a “Galileo moment” in 2009. How? You can gaze at the sky through a telescope, visit a planetarium, stretch out under a starry sky or enter our The Stars Go to School! contest.

Contest description

The contest is intended to encourage students to become aware of the sky and all its marvels, while demystifying astronomy. It suggests opportunities for observing the sky and learning more about it.

The contest is for elementary classes from all three cycles.

This activity is meant to be easy for both the teacher and the students. Depending on how much time you have available and how interested you are, it could take anywhere from one hour to several days.

How to enter

There are various ways to enter. Some possible suggestions, to spark your imagination:

• Organize a drawing or reading contest on the theme of the Moon, the Sun, the planets, space exploration, black holes, etc.
• Complete a classroom activity drawn from the educational fact sheets available on the Montréal Planetarium Website
• Contact your local amateur astronomy club (www.faaq.org/menumembres/membresregion.htm) and ask a member to come and talk to your class or organize a stargazing session with a telescope
• Organize an educational outing to the Montréal Planetarium with your students or visit a local science museum
• Have your students take part in a book marathon by reading popular astronomy books or science fiction stories set in space (list forthcoming)
• Watch one or more astronomy or science fiction films (list forthcoming)

Everyone can enter

You can submit as many projects as you like. Each project must be clearly identified with an entry form.

Prizes to be won

One prize per school cycle.

Cycle 1

1 pair of binoculars
3 junior books about astronomy

• See Inside Space, Katie Daynes
• Moon, Steve Tomecek
• Big & Busy Space, Priddy Books

1 2000.0 star finder
1 trip to the Montréal Planetarium for the entire class*

Approximate value: $270

Cycle 2

1 pair of binoculars
3 books about astronomy

• Stars & Planets, Mike Goldsmith
• Space, Alan Dyer
• First Space Encyclopedia, DK Books

1 2000.0 star finder
1 trip to the Montréal Planetarium for the entire class*

Approximate value: $300

Cycle 3

1 SkyWatcher telescope
With this telescope, observe craters on the moon, the planets, nebulae, star clusters and a few of the nearest galaxies, including the Andromeda galaxy.
2 books about astronomy

• Night Sky Atlas, Robin Scagell
• Planets, David Aguilar

1 2000.0 star finder
1 trip to the Montréal Planetarium for the entire class*

Approximate value: $745

* The prize includes admission for the entire class and accompanying adults and must be used before the end of the 2008-2009 school year. The winner is responsible for all other trip-related expenses.

Contest rules

All contest entries will be eligible for a draw, and the winners' names will be chosen at random. One draw per school cycle.

Dates to remember:

• Friday, November 6, 2009: contest entry deadline
• Wednesday, November 11, 2009: draw

Your entry must include:

1. Duly completed entry form
2. Your project

Send your projects to:

The Stars Go to School! Contest
Montréal Planetarium
A/S Lucie Rochette
Biodôme de Montréal
4777 Pierre-De Coubertin
Montréal QC H1V 1B3
514 868-3008

Entry form

The entry form for the The Stars Go to School! Contest can be downloaded here. (162 KB PDF Document)