Scopes-4-Schools donates telescopes to grade schools, high schools, colleges and universities around the country for use in instruction and extra-curricular activities. Equipment that is donated to Scopes-4-Schools Inc. is refurbished if necessary and donated directly to a school. Non-repairable or non-usable telescopes are sold to raise money to fund the Scopes-4-Schools donation program.
How Can You Help?
You can help inspire students by donating unwanted equipment, donating money and/or volunteering your time. Any type of astronomy equipment and telescope accessories may be donated to Scopes-4-Schools Inc.
- Support science education in the classroom
- Help teachers acquire much needed equipment
- Inspire students to learn more about science
To donate telescopes and equipment or volunteer your time please send us an email at avatarsci@msn.com.
Monetary donations can be made by clicking on
Scopes-4-Schools volunteers play a very important role:
Amateur Astronomers acting as "Field Coordinators" - provide safety training and on-site assistance to science teachers. Matching the teacher with a local amateur or professional astronomer ensures that the equipment will be used safely and effectively. It also opens the door for further collaborations such as outreach events and presentations at the school.
Vendors and Astronomy Clubs as 'Program Sponsors" - provide discounts for purchasing the telescopes and provide co-marketing programs. Scopes-4-Schools was originally conceived as a local southern California initiative. But the response from science teachers from around the country has been very enthusiastic. The need for this kind of donation program is obvious and it can have a lasting impact on science education.
Program Sponsors help advertise and promote the donation program and coordinate activities amongst their club members. Program Sponsors help raise cash donations for purchasing the telescopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of telescopes are donated to schools?
Below are examples of the types of telescopes that have been or will be donated to schools:
Colleges and Universities: 8 inch - 14 inch SCT with and without mounts and tripods.
High Schools: 5 inch - 10 inch SCT with mounts and tripods, Hydrogen Alpha solar telescopes.
Grade Schools: 60 mm - 8 inch Goto telescopes and Hydrogen Alpha solar telescopes.
How do teachers and schools apply to receive a donated telescope?
Are donations tax deductible?
Scopes-4-Schools does not have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS- but the receiving institutions generally do and can often provide a donation receipt for charitable giving deductions. Beofore making a donation we suggest getting advice from your tax advisor.
How are applications evaluated and schools selected for donation?
That is currently done by Scopes-4-Schools Inc. staff. The applications are evaluated using several criteria including:
Stated objectives for using the telescope in new and existing programs
Availability of a local Field Sponsor to partner with the school.
Planned implementation of the telescope into the school's science education program
Experience and expertise of the educator
Commitment from the school to ensure proper and safe use.
Availability of matching donations
How can I get additional information?
For more information call Richard Stember, Executive Director of Scopes-4-Schools Inc. at
Ms Paulette Cinotti
The donated Meade/Coronado P.S.T. solar telescope will be used by 6th grade science teacher Ms. Paulette Cinotti.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am about this telescope and I know that the students will be just as excited" wrote Ms. Cinotti upon learning about the donation.
Ms. Cinotti will be supported by Phil Fimiani, a local amateur astronomer and volunteer for Scopes-4-Schools.
Springer Science + Business Media LLC
(www.springer.com) has generously donated the book "Observing the Sun with the Coronado Telescopes" by Philip Pugh to accompany the Scopes-4-Schools donation. The book is one of several in Springer's acclaimed
Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy series.
Thank you Springer Science for your generous donation. And thank you Phil Fimiani for volunteering to help Ms. Cinotti with her new telescope.
