This year I participated for the first time at the Olympics in Astronomy. As a member of the national jury, because 'the age' does not allow me, for some time, to participate as 'young athlete'! In addition, even the right age (14 to 17 years) I attended because I was so interested in science, astrophysics, but had not yet taken over, and I struggled between the study of the human body, and generally of living beings, and that of the Earth and volcanoes. Astrophysics came after, the university, Like many other astronomers, as I have read on this blog.
But back to us, or better to them, the astronomers and budding astronomers.
The scenery is beautiful Capodimonte in a weekend in mid-May. The atmosphere is tense: you select the 'athletes' for the 'Italian national team', which will participate in the International Olympiad in Hangzhou, China 8 to 16 November 2009!
important opportunity very proud parents, realized as a tireless companions, some, in fact, have faced a long journey by car, leaving from Trieste, Bari, from Cuneo, Ray Calabria. Are armed with camera and the best possible advice, which is the motto of the Baron de Coubertin, Pierre de Frédy: The important thing is to participate.
And here, the players, 30 boys between 14 and 17, who think not only become papers or players, but they also have other interests and passions. And then, after all, one thing could not exclude the other. Compete in a demanding race, ranging from earnest Kepler's laws, to the inhabitants of the planet Radar IV, who like to compete in speed sports cars with ultra-secure, or adventure travel on technologically advanced spacecraft to explore the solar system.
short, non-trivial exercise, which measure knowledge of the subject, curiosity and the ability to be future researchers, but also curious future of the world and the universe, regardless of the road and the profession that they choose to do as adults.
A test ended, he began the arduous and difficult task of the jury to evaluate the scientific accuracy (because the race is still a serious matter) the work done by each participant and give a vote inevitable in order to form a national team no more than 5 guys. A daunting task, because it is such a surprise (mine, in the grass court, yes) for the skill, determination and imagination put into each field to solve problems. We made the night, with the other jurors, to correct the exercises carefully and do not miss a detail, no effort on the part of the 'athletes' faces at the solution.
the end, only five will go to Hangzhou, the maximum number of athletes per country. For the other will be the enthusiasm of having lived a good experience, getting to know new people, visiting a magnificent city and, perhaps, the desire to try again next year: GOOD LUCK!
Gabriella
From the website of the Italian Olympic Astronomy:
"Under the pretext of the competition, the Olympics of Astronomy of the Italian schools offer students an opportunity to meet with researchers and comparison with other boys, the possibility of growing interest and passion for astronomy and a broad scientific arena, in full respect for their moral and cognitive. "
http://www.ts.astro.it/olimpiadi/index.html
(Italian site)
http://www.issp.ac.ru/iao/
(international site)
(Picture: credits to NASA and STScI).
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