Information for Bentley Colleagues
2019 Allocation: UCHS Telescope (Sharepoint)
This website was written to support a school-based Library Telescope Program. It provides a very good foundation to provide sky, equipment and program information to start a similar Telescope Program.
In theory, little expertise beyond that contained in this site is required to start and run a program (okay, little expertise beyond this site and Google). In practice, it's good to have someone who knows scopes. Short of an in-house expert, there are many astronomy associations scattered throughout the world. There is probably one near you able to loan you an expert to help you along (outreach is a major part of many organization's charters).
Bentley Employees are usually able to allocate $250 per year to a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) program.
Allocating your Grant
If you would like to use your STEM Grant towards a Telescope Program there are a number of ways you can do so. Note that there are internal administrative requirements that must be met prior to approval of the Grant. Note that in most cases $250 will not fully meet starting costs in and of itself. Bundling your grant with another is an effective strategy.
1. Start your own program.
Alternate 1: Find a school with interest. Find a scope "minder," either a local on-site "expert" (a parent or teacher) or from a local astronomy club. I can help find you an expert. Find additional funding. Start your program.
Alternate 2: Find a local astronomy club. Notify them of your individual or bundled grant money. Condition the funds upon development of a school scope program (the resources at the site should buy into the program also).
2. Contribute to an existing program.
Check with Bentley Grant Administration that the existing program meets the criteria for approval of funds. Make sure recipient understands the requirements of the grant.
3. Designate or bundle your Grant to someone beginning or running a program.
Allocating your Grant to a Bentley Colleague can be done via a simple email.
Help/Info
Please contact me, Jeff Martin, if you have any questions whatsoever. I'll share with you what I know and won't do a hard-sell on using your Grant for astronomy.