First Prize in High School project with TASS data.

["Pittinger, Martin J." <PittiMJ1@central.SSD.JHUAPL.edu>]

Hi Folks,
   Late last year a member of The APL Astronomy Club ask us for some ideas
for his daughter's high school astronomy project. Well that was easy, we
provided to him a CD-ROM of raw TASS data (~600Mb), TASS related programs
and some Internet resources so she could do a science project at her high
school.
   Many weeks later she won first place in her division of Earth Sciences
and was given "Reserve Grand Champion" out of 500 students. She went to the
Regional Science Fair where she was one of ten finalist, but still won 1st
place in her category. Later, she was one of only a handful of students that
were interviewed by the Army's High School Recruiter as a opportunity to get
an award. From this one astronomy project (and some TASS data) she has been
invited to talk at the Harrisburg, PA  Planetarium and has received
recognition by the "International Women's Earth Sciences Society. 
    We have invited her to give us the same presentation here in August.
This will coincide with an "Educational Outreach Project for Gifted
Children" being hosted by JHU/APL. Attending with be representatives from
The Howard County Schools of Maryland, Maryland Department of Education and
others county, state and federal agencies. I'm waiting on the brochure, so
more on this later.
     I think she should give a presentation at the AAS meeting, let everyone
see that we could provide some really awesome stuff to High Schools. I also
think we need to recognize her achievement in some way; include she work in
the next paper to the AAS or provide her with certificate of recognition.  I
don't know what, but would be nice.
      As for right now she is enjoying her Spring Break and starting
softball.

(I am working on the detailed information and getting it together so it can
be send to Mike for posting of the TASS-SURVEY web site.  I expect to have
it all by the end of the school year (May/June).

	"As astronomers, we must find new star here on Earth. When we gather
together, please remember to a bring friend along and find a new star."
Marty Pittinger, 1996.