BOISE, Idaho — Telescopes are a fun and interactive way for teachers to teach students about space. However, the price tag of a quality telescope is high, which can prevent teachers from ever getting one into their classrooms.
Teachers now have a chance to receive a robotic telescope from Boise State University (BSU) after NASA donated $125,000 to the Telescopes for Teachers program for the purchase of 50 telescopes, providing a 'glimmer of hope.'
"What's special about these telescopes is because they are fully robotic, so they are operated by a smartphone." Dr. Rachel Huchmala at BSU told KTVB. "You can aim it anywhere in the night sky, and it helps you find objects. You can go out there with curiosity and be able to see some very cool things during the night."
According to a BSU news release, those who are chosen will receive training on how to use the telescope and "become a member of our citizen science team, which will conduct observations of extrasolar planets."
Dr. Huchmala said there will be a focus on teachers in the area of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve. During the summer, people can see the Milky Way and other planets with the naked eye.
All of the telescopes are named after influential women in science. Dr. Huchmala said, "It's so we can get more [women's] stories out there."
Educators who want to receive the eQuinox2 telescope must apply at BSU's website here.
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