Monday, January 30, 2006
Local astronomer honored with prize
LARRY COPENHAVER
Tucson Citizen
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A Tucson astronomer and former director of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory has received the American Astronomical Society's 2006 Education Prize.
Sidney Wolff won the award for "her extraordinary commitment to science education throughout her career," NOAO said in a news release. Her work is "a highly valued and influential communication channel for astronomy educators."
The AAS Education Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to the education of the public, students and/or the next generation of professional astronomers. The prize includes a $2,500 cash award plus travel money to the awards program.
Wolff was director of the NOAO from 1987 to 2000 and serves as a staff astronomer there. She has been involved in education throughout her career, including the founding in 2002 and her subsequent editorship of the Astronomy Education Review, the first peer-reviewed journal for the emerging field of astronomy education and outreach.
