StellarQuest
Scholarship
Feedbacks From Recipients
I absolutely loved your video! I am very interested in space and physics. It’s my dream to become an astronaut or an aerospace engineer. I was especially fascinated by your wormhole studies and would love to learn more about them. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Sincerely.
–Seventh-Grade Students in Bismarck, North Dakota
Great work on this presentation—your passion for science education shines through! Wishing you the best of luck in college and beyond!
—A teacher from San Diego, California
That is very kind of you. I displayed it in my colleague’s classes as they do physics and astronomy. Thank you very kindly! Also the video looks great.
Thanks again.
–A teacher from Fremont, California
Our Motivation
Noticing a significant gap in accessible astronomy resources, I was inspired to create an initiative that could bridge the divide for students passionate about exploring the universe. Many underserved students lack the financial support or exposure to astronomy education, limiting their opportunities to develop an interest in this fascinating field. Middle school classrooms, where curiosity about the natural world is often at its peak, seldom include astronomy in their curriculum. Witnessing this disparity and recalling my own transformative experiences with astronomy, I realized the importance of providing educational materials and mentorship to students who might otherwise never encounter the beauty and complexity of the cosmos. This desire to inspire and empower the next generation of explorers became the driving force behind StellarQuest.
Action/Plan
Build Accessible Resources
I launched StellarQuest as an online platform offering beginner-friendly astronomy content to make complex concepts approachable and inspiring. By providing clear explanations and practical guidance, the platform helps bridge the gap in astronomy education for underserved students.
Provide direct Support
To address financial barriers, I established a scholarship program and partnered with LightAid NGO to raise over $1,500 in the first round. These funds supported the donation of astronomy books and learning materials to more than 120 students in North Dakota, ensuring access to essential tools for learning.
Engage Local communities
I collaborated with middle school science teachers to organize lectures and workshops, fostering curiosity and passion for astronomy in younger students. These interactive sessions provide hands-on learning experiences that inspire students to think beyond the classroom.
Our Future Goal
StellarQuest’s long-term vision is to grow into a national, and eventually international, initiative. By scaling its scholarship program and outreach efforts, I aim to empower more students to pursue their academic interests in astronomy and astrophysics. The second scholarship round will expand its reach and resources, setting the foundation for future endeavors. Beyond financial aid, I envision developing a mentorship network connecting scholars with astronomy professionals, fostering guidance and inspiration. I also plan to create interactive online modules and host larger-scale workshops, introducing astronomy to students across underserved communities. Ultimately, StellarQuest seeks to make astronomy accessible to all, nurturing a global community of learners inspired to explore the universe.
Highlights from Our Actions
Our team organized a school observatory night at school observatory. This is a picture taken at the event
Our self-made video that combines SCI-FI movie Interstellar and Time travel, used for educational workshops
Our Team invited a current researcher from the University of California, San Diego to organize a workshop on astronomy.
Our weekly meeting at Valley Christian Astronomy Club building rockets and discussing astronomy.
Our Team cooperated with school’s Youth Research Club to do boba sales for fundraising.
For the first time in our school, junior high schoolers got a chance to visit the school observatory
Special Thanks
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the incredible individuals who contributed to the fundraising efforts for the Stellar Quest scholarship. Special thanks to Kevin Tang, Mr.Daniel Ryu, Henry Zhao, Claudia Ye, Mrs. Lipelt, Mrs. Reyes, Sammi Wang, Jessica Tian, Alice Zou, and Vaibhav Rau. Your support has been instrumental in empowering young students to explore the wonders of the universe and pursue their academic passions. Thank you for making a difference!
We also want to appreciate for help from Lightaid for cooperating with us for fundraising. Their instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/light2aid/
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–Team of StellarQuest
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