Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand Annual Astronomy Conference
The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) offers 10 to 15 secondary students scholarships to enable them to attend the RASNZ annual astronomy conference.
The conference will take place this year in Wellington, Friday 9 (afternoon) to Sunday 11 July 2021 (about 4 pm) – provided Covid-19 doesn’t affect our plans.
NZ residents currently attending a NZ secondary school in years 13, 12 or 11 may apply. The scholarships comprise free registration for the conference (value $265), free travel from their home to Wellington*, free backpacker accommodation in Wellington for 9 and 10 July*, and a free banquet ticket for the conference banquet on Saturday 10 July (value $95).
*Accommodation and travel only if required for non-Wellington residents
To be considered, students should email a short statement of no more than 300 words explaining why they would like to attend the conference and why they are interested in astronomy. This statement should be sent to the RASNZ Immediate-Past President, Dr Nicholas Rattenbury (n.rattenbury@auckland.ac.nz) by 5 p.m. Monday 10th May 2021. Please include the words "SWAPA 2021 APPLICATION" and your name in the subject of your email.
Include your name, gender, age, school, year of study at school in 2021, city, email address, telephone contact and science teacher’s name, phone and email.
Notes for Applicants
- You organise and pay for your own flights to/from Wellington. You will be reimbursed immediately following the conference.
- Your stay in Wellington will be managed by police-vetted members of the local astronomical society.
- You will stay at a backpackers or youth hostel within walking distance of the conference venue. The cost is covered by the SWAPA scheme. If you live in Wellington, you'll probably commute from your home.
- Your conference registration and Saturday night banquet ticket are paid for, thanks to a kind RASNZ (SWAPA) benefactor.
- You are encouraged to present a ~5-minute talk at the conference - what got you into astronomy, what areas interest you, what you plan to do in the future, etc.
- You are expected to write a couple of paragraphs about how you found the conference experience, etc - for publication in the Society's journal, Southern Stars. See the attachment as an example.
- I know from previous SWAPA students that I don't need to write this, but good behaviour and adherence to the conference Code of Conduct is expected at all times.
- Have fun! You'll learn so much from talking to the professional and amateur astronomers there - and drool over the astronomical equipment on display!