COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 54
March 3, 2006
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division
Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Patricia I.
Wright Acting
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Russian
International Space Olympics for Students |
The Virginia Department of Education and the
Education Department of Korolev, Russia, announce the 2006 Russian
International Space Olympics. This
program provides an opportunity for as many as eight Virginia students who will
be juniors or seniors during the 2006-2007 school year to participate in the
International Space Olympics in the Moscow suburb of Korolev during October
2006.
Students will compete in the Space Olympics through
oral presentations of their research projects and participating in selected
tests in physics, mathematics, computer science, and literature. Highlights of the visit will include the
opportunity to talk to scientists and cosmonauts and to interact with students
from Russia and other countries.
Students will also participate in a variety of cultural activities.
Students who are selected to participate will receive a
scholarship for $1,800. This scholarship covers all
major costs of participating in the Space Olympics, including air
transportation to Russia, meals, and housing during the International Space
Olympics competition. All interested
students are encouraged to apply for the International Space Olympics. Students should anticipate some additional
expenses such as attendance at two mandatory, pre-trip orientation sessions,
passport costs, ground transportation to the airport from their homes, and
discretionary spending money.
The
International Space Olympics is approximately a two-week trip to the Moscow
region of Russia. Participants are
tentatively scheduled to leave the United States on October 17, 2006, and
return on October 29, 2006.
Applicants must obtain permission to participate in
this program from their parents and school divisions. Selected students and a parent must agree to attend two one-day
training seminars in Richmond before the departure date. The seminars will provide orientation and
background materials for the trip.
The
opportunity to participate will be competitive, based on a students research
project, grades/courses taken, and answers to questions in the application
package. The student-produced research
project should be on the topic of space exploration.
The
International Space Olympics application form is attached to this memorandum. An announcement of the International Space
Olympics and application form will also be sent to mathematics and science
contact persons before the end of March.
All applications must be postmarked by May 24, 2006.
If
you have questions regarding this program, please do not hesitate to contact
Dr. Beverly Thurston (Beverly.Thurston@doe.virginia.gov), coordinator for
history/social sciences and international education, Office of Middle and High
School Instruction, at (804) 225-2893.
PIW/BT/yba
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf054a.doc