Awards and Recognition

Certificates, Contests and Scout Badges

Want to have fun and learn at the same time? Several organizations give recognition for observing stars, planets, the moon, other celestial objects, and discovering the cosmos by yourself. Back to Student Center

Observing Awards | Scout Badges | Contests | Organizations

New Contests!
Go to Contests to find out about Flying Cars, Design a Mission to Mars,
and making your own science radio programs.

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Observing Awards

Jack Horkheimer Award

The Jack Horkheimer Award is presented to an Astronomical League member under the age of 19 on the date of the application deadline and based upon service to the League, either directly or service to any Astronomical League society. Service could be in the form of educational outreach, knowledge and skills at public star parties or other astronomical service. Young astronomers could apply for both National Young Astronomer Award (below) and the Horkheimer award.

The Horkheimer Award for Exceptional Service by a Young Astronomer is made possible thanks to the generosity of Mr. Jack Horkheimer, The Star Gazer on PBS television. The winner receives a check for $1,000 at the AL annual National Convention, ALCon. The award is named in Honor of Arthur P. Smith, Jr. Art Smith was the president of the Astronomical League from 1964-66, and he inspired Mr. Horkheimer to become active in astronomy.

National Young Astronomer Award

The National Young Astronomer Award recognizes outstanding work, by amateur astronomers of high school age, in the areas of research, public education, academic scholarship in astronomy or science, observing, imaging, telescope or equipment design or construction, publications and writing, local club activities, and regional and national organizational activities.

The first place winner will receive a Meade 10 inch LX-200, Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope valued at about $3,000.00. This prize has been made possible by the generosity of the Meade Instruments Corporation who is also contributing significantly to the operation of the N.Y.A.A. In addition, the winner receives an all-expense paid trip to the Astronomical League's annual national convention to receive the award.

Astronomical League Observing Awards

Messier Objects
In September, 1758, French comet hunter Charles Messier came across a stationary object in the constellation Taurus, the Bull, while following the comet of that year. That object is now known as M1, the Crab Nebula. Over the next 30 years or so he came across many more objects during his comet hunting and decided to catalogue them so other comet hunters would not mistake them for comets. That list now contains 107 of the finest deep sky objects in the sky, especially for small scopes. Today, the Astronomical League offers a pin and certificate to members who successfully views all 107 objects.

Lunar Club
Because the moon is easier to see in urban areas, under poor seeing conditions and more days of the month than other objects it is well suited to inexperienced observers as well as more seasoned amateur astronomers. This Astronomical League program can be done by schools as well. The challenge is to observe 100 selected items on our moon. The list is divided into 18 naked eye items, 46 binocular features and 36 for telescope observation. The binoculars can be 7x35 or larger and the telescope can be as small as a 60 mm refractor.

Other recognition like the Double Star Club, Urban Club, Deep Sky Binocular Club, and/or Meteor Club Certificates are available, too.

Scout Badges

Here are some examples of activities that you can do to earn a Scout badge. Not all requirements are listed so you will need to contact your scout leader for more information.

Bear Cub Scout Space, Elective 1
Identify two constellations and the North Star
Read and talk about one man-made satellite and one natural one
Find a picture of another planet in our solar system and explain how it is different from Earth

Boy Scout Astronomy
Identify 10 constellations including four from the zodiac
Identify eight conspicuous stars (five first magnitude)
Explain what we see when we look at the Milky Way
Describe and explain the different types of telescopes
Spend 3 hours observing with a telescope or field glass and write a report

Brownie Scout Space Explorer
Try to find the North Star, Big Dipper, Milky Way, planets or constellations
Why does the Moon look like it changes shape?
Share something you have learned with someone

Junior Girl Scout Sky Search
Learn how to use a star map
Learn which planets are visible to the naked eye and try to find at least one
Using a star map, find six constellations
Observe valleys, ridges and mountain ranges on the moon through a telescope or binoculars
Ask how you can help your local astronomy club

Girl Scout Space Exploration
Find out about supernovas, cosmic clouds, globular clusters.
Demonstrate what happens during a solar or lunar eclipse
List five ways that you can maintain your interest in space and/or astronomy
Find out what careers are related to space exploration

Contests

On occasion various organizations like the ones below run contests for students such as naming a space probe, essay and art contests, developing a science project and other events. Your local astronomy club and school may have additional information on upcoming contests.

Design a Flying Car for NASA (9-12)
The NASA Langley Research Center's Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology Office invites high school classes and/or student teams to submit their ideas for a practical flying car. The competition encourages all levels of high school students to engage in the process of submitting an entry.
The competition officially opens Sept. 9 and will be completed by June 1, 2003. Letters of intent from schools wishing to compete must be filed by Jan. 30, 2003. For more information, go to Design a Flying Car.

NSIP Resource Guides Available (K-12)
The 2002-03 resource guides for the NASA Student Involvement Program (NSIP) are available on NASA Spacelink. NSIP is a series of K-12 student competitions. Students may participate as individuals, teams, or whole classes, depending on the competition.
Competition titles are: Aerospace Technology Engineering Challenge (5-8); Design a Mission to Mars (5-12); Space Flight Opportunities (9-12); My Planet, Earth (K-4); Science and Technology Journalism (K-12); and Watching Earth Change (5-12) Entry deadlines are Jan. 15, 2003, for Space Flight Opportunities, and Jan. 31, 2003, for all other competitions. The NSIP 2002-03 guides may be accessed at NASA Student Involvement Program.

Earth & Sky Young Producers Contest (K-12)
The Young Producers Contest is an annual event sponsored by the Earth & Sky radio series and the National Science Foundation. Each year, students around the world create their own science radio programs. Earth & Sky chooses the five best and airs them in the spring. All entries must be postmarked on or before Dec. 16, 2002. For more information, including guidelines and entry form, see Young Producers Contest.

Essay Contest on Agriculture and Science (Grades 6-8)
"Boundless Science for Bountiful Agriculture," a national essay contest for students in grades 6-8, focuses on a variety of agricultural science topics include producing food in space and using lasers, robots, and computers in agriculture. Essays should be no more than 500 words and must be submitted online by November 1, 2002.
The national grand prize winner will receive a $3000 savings bond plus an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC for the student, the student's parents, and teacher. Congressional district winners will receive a medal and be invited to visit their state's land grant university to meet with a researcher working in the same field as their essay topic. The contest is sponsored by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), a nonprofit organization comprised of scientific societies and other members. For contest information including rules and submission information, go to www.cast-science.org/contest/index.html

Organizations

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