40 Years of Space Age & Beyond

Under the International Year of Astronomy 2009 programs, the Royal College Astronomical Society has organized an innovative program called “40years of Space Age & Beyond”.

This is the largest school based IYA2009 program in Sri Lanka and it consists of a workshop, Science Fiction Competition and an Exhibition of Apollo 11 moon rocks which will be held from 8th to 9th of December 2009.

Royal College Astronomical Society (RCAS) has been in forefront among the school astronomical societies. It has a prestigious history of more than 40years. The society has inspired many students to pursuit science as a career and few made it to become professional astronomers as well.



The workshop is the long running annual project of RCAS and a much waited event in the local astronomy community. This year, it will have a look back at the 40years of space programs and a look ahead with future missions to space and colonization.
Each year the workshop gets a participation of students and teachers from 50 schools around the country. This year participants will get an opportunity to explore future moon colonization ideas by being part of an activity to construct moon colonies.
http://rcas.lakdiva.net/fyosa/workshop.html



The RCAS will be running an exhibition and a Science Fiction competition along with the workshop as well. The moonstones from Apollo 11 mission which were gifted to Sri Lanka by the former US President Richard Nixon will be on display for two days. This is a rare opportunity to witness the history as these moonstones are rarely on public display. There will be some unforgettable photographs from Apollo 11 mission displayed at the exhibition along with the moonstones.
http://rcas.lakdiva.net/fyosa/exhibition.html



The Science Fiction competition is another annual project of the society, which is open to all the students around the country. It’s launched with the purpose of exploring vivid imagination of young minds. The competition is underway and the award ceremony will take place along with the workshop.
http://rcas.lakdiva.net/fyosa/sf_competition.html

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Cheers!

Thilina Heenatigala
Secretary
IYA2009 – Sri Lanka Node
http://iya2009.lakdiva.net

Adviser
Royal College Astronomical Society
http://rcas.lakdiva.net/fyosa