Project goal is to give elementary school pupils from Croatia an opportunity to make a first steps in science through small astronomy projects.

For schools participating in the project we provide:

1) charge-free telescope rental for total of three months;

2) charge-free beginer's course in telescope use for teachers;

3) a set of small didactical projects involving the use of the telescope, suitably tailored to student's age ('Four nights" programme);

4) contacts with amateur and professional astronomers;

5) series of popular lectures on astronomy and science in general, delivered by the renowned Croatian scientists and professional;

6) charge-free asistance in building the school's own amateur telescope after the end of the project;

7) the award for the best school: a telescope!

schools owning their own telescopes are also more than welcome to participate!

From the schools, we require:

1) the teacher willing to run the astronomical observing group in her school;

We seek the teachers keen on developing the new skills and with an interest in astronomy - no background knowledge required, just enthusiasm. We also require that the teacher has basic computer skills and reqularly uses e-mail..

We'd like to stress that teacher's professional background does not have to be related to science - all teachers are welcome.

2) a group of at least 5 students from roughly the same age-group;

3) a signed contract between the project and the school stating that school is prepared to cover the cost for any potential damage to the telescope during the project;

4) filling in the feedback questionaires for pupils and teachers;

5) filling and handing in to the project team the "four nights" programme task sheets by the end of the project;

6) the return of the undamaged telescope after the three month charge-free rent period;