2nd National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad Contest in Sri Lanka

Applications are being called from Sri Lankan students (under 20 years of age as of 1st August 2008) for the 2nd National Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad contest to be held on 29th March 2008. Closing date for entries is 15th March 2008. Full details at: http://www.ip-sl.org/astro/astro.html

Those who sat for the National Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition held in 2007 won 10 national awards (2 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze medals) presented by the National Science Foundation at a ceremony held at the BMICH, Colombo 7. Furthermore, five students who excelled at the National Competition represented Sri Lanka at the 1st International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics held in Thailand from Nov 30 – Dec 9, 2007. Three honorable mentions were won by the Sri Lankan students in this event with the Sri Lankan team recognised as the 13th best team. The purpose of this event is to popularise Astronomy and Astrophysics, and to attract bright high school students all over the world to Science (especially towards Astronomy and Astrophysics). The 2nd IOAA will be held in Bandung, Indonesia from August 19-28, 2008. The Institute of Physics Sri Lanka together with the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies in collaboration with the Department of Physics, University of Colombo and the Ministry of Education have made arrangement to hold a separate national competition related to this event.

Please inform anyone you know who might be interested in participating.

Thank you!