Ten school pupils competed on June 24 in the final stage of a nation-wide quiz on astronomy and space research, initiated by the Ilan Ramon Center in cooperation with the science education association "Rosh Gadol".
1,300 elementary school children from all over the country entered the quiz, and the top 100 made it to the next stage hosted by the Ben Gurion University on May 25. The participants, accompanied by family members, spend a full day in workshops, answering quiz questions and writing an assay about the moon upon the 40th anniversary of man's first landing on the moon.
The finals took place at the presence of BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi and other dignitaries. The three winners are:
1st prize: Eden Azoulai ,Ashdod - telescope
2nd prize: Shai Chemni, Ma'agan Michael - advanced field binoculars
3rd prize: Netanel Ronen, Ashdod - star encyclopedia
The organizers hope to make the Astronomy Quiz into an annual event. "We believe that young children love challenges, and programs of this type offer them an enriching experience which makes them want to learn more".
The Ilan Ramon Physics Center for Youth at Ben Gurion University, initiated by the Rashi Foundation, operates in partnership with the Ministry of Education, BGU and the Municipality of Be'er Sheva.
