Last October, in celebration of the World Space Week 2017, UNAWE Ambassador Sobina Yu from the Philippines hosted a Space Quiz Friendly Competition for 10 high schools, which was aimed at senior high school students based on themes around space science and astronomy, with a special emphasis on space exploration. The event was officially recognised by WSW 2017.
The objective of the competition was to contribute to the improvement of awareness, interest, understanding, and insight into the space sciences and basic astronomy. Also to celebrate the participation of different senior high schools in World Space Week so as to foster the interest in career opportunities in astronomy and space sciences. The culminating activity for this event was a free telescope viewing, courtesy of the Manila Street Astronomer (MSA).
Participants of the WSW 2017 quiz with their certificate of recognition. UNAWE Ambassador Sobina Yu on the right.
The competition, which was thoroughly planned for over 2 months, was a huge success. Sobina put a lot of effort into the contest: “Honestly, me and Achie Angelica Tang (BSYA) were packed with tasks, from the time we were sending out the letters to the school up until we were printing out the certificates to the schools.” Aside from the fact that there were more than 10 schools present at the said event, World Space Week 2017 recognised this event officially.
The competition was a collaboration between the Bedan Society of Young Astronomers (BSYA), a senior high school organization of San Beda Manila, in collaboration with the Judenite’s Astronomical Organization (JAO), a senior high school and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) organization of Saint Jude Catholic School.
Sobina is the founder of the Judenite's Astronomical Organization and is also the current president of the said organization. Find out more about Sobina on her The Cosmic Wonderer blog!