Editor:

The Opinion piece in favor of “”Axing Outreach”” by Kaj Rozga, in the Monday, Jan. 5, 2004 issue of the Guardian, cites one campus-based program, Project A.S.T.R.O., as an example of an “”exorbitant [state-funded] program”” which should be “”temporarily cut.””

In fact, this article misrepresents Project A.S.T.R.O. in every possible way. Two basic tenets of journalism, checking your facts, and giving those you criticize the opportunity to respond, seem to have been too much trouble for this freshman author. Had he bothered to contact me, or at the very least scroll down our Web site, he might have learned:

1. For 2003-04, we proposed for and were awarded a modest $3,800 grant from NASA. These funds were generously matched, 2-1, by the Edwards Foundation ‹ a private, out-of-state charitable organization which also received a proposal. So, in fact, we are bringing outside money into the state and spending it here! If only larger programs could do this! Even our logistical support from UCSD (phone, Web site, etc.) has been provided gratis by a campus Organized Research Unit, Center for Astrophysics and Space Sciences, which operates mainly on federal funds (NASA, National Science Foundation) ‹ and pays a hefty overhead into the UC system as a result. With these and other donated resources, mainly from San Diego State, Project A.S.T.R.O. volunteers provide 7,200 hours of hands-on student instruction in 25 San Diego County schools, in addition to training for 30 teachers in many of the California Earth Science curriculum standards. This is all for $3,800 in federal funds ‹ hardly an “”exorbitant program,”” are we?

2. We are not an “”Astronomy for Educators”” program “”to help fourth grade teachers ….”” Our Web site, the author¹s sole information source, says no such thing! Our manpower is provided by local professional and amateur scientists who volunteer to work with kids directly in the classroom, and these people should be praised for their service in educating our local children. (We work with grades four through nine by the way ‹ it¹s right there on our Web site).

Our main goal is to inspire children to engage in scientific discovery. Astronomy is a great vehicle for doing this (e.g. how many amateurs do you know in any other scientific field?). And our program puts the talents and enthusiasm of local volunteer scientists where it¹s needed ‹ in the classroom, alongside the teacher.

You can learn more about our frugal, non-state-funded, highly successful and enjoyable program, Project A.S.T.R.O., from me personally or by carefully reading the words on our Web site. We are always looking for volunteers who have some knowledge of astronomy (amateur, professional or student) to work in the classroom, and for private donations to provide workshops, classroom materials and year-round support for our volunteers. Donations will be matched by the Edwards Foundation for the rest of the school year, and we are always pleased to provide a detailed account of how our funds are spent.

– Philip Blanco, Ph.D.

Coordinator, Project A.S.T.R.O.

San Diego