Celestron And Girl Scouts of the USA Launch Joint Program For Hands-On Discovery Of Science, Technology, Engineering And Math

Award Winning SkyScout® Personal Planetariums™ Donated To Girl Scout Council Members Nationwide.

Houston, TX (July 26, 2007) – Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the world’s preeminent youth development organization solely for girls, announced today at its Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) meeting at the San Jacinto Girl Scout Council’s Casa Mare Camp in Houston, TX, a joint program with Celestron® to encourage interest in space exploration and astronomy among America’s youth.  As a leading designer and manufacturer of telescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes, Celestron marked the occasion with a donation of 100 Celestron SkyScouts® to support the Girl Scouts’ STEM programs, which work to increase science and technology literacy among today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, 41% of all Girl Scout awards (Try-Its, Badges and Interest Project Patches) are related to STEM topics.  As part of its STEM programming, GSUSA has partnered with NASA to provide the Girl Scouts access to educational materials and experts that enrich girl program experiences.

“We are really excited to collaborate with Celestron as part of our STEM programming,” said Kate Pickle, STEM Project Manager.  “SkyScout is a fantastic learning aid that will be a great tool to kindle the curiosity of our girls and provide them with a fun, interactive way to push boundaries, test limits, and look at the world around them with inquisitive eyes.”

About the size of a camcorder and weighing less than 16 ounces, the SkyScout utilizes a consumer-friendly “point and shoot” GPS technology that enables stargazers to instantly identify and/or locate over 6,000 celestial objects in the sky with the press of a button and listen to commentary on the object and its history. The SkyScout also has a “locate” feature that allows users to select an object they wish to view (i.e. Mars) and the SkyScout, using illuminated arrows in the viewfinder, will point the user to the object.

“Teaming-up with the Girl Scouts’ STEM program is a perfect partnership for us. As today's Girl Scouts are preparing to take on the 21st century's many technological opportunities and challenges, SkyScout makes science and technology, approachable and fun for all,” said Joseph A. Lupica Jr., president and CEO of Celestron.  “SkyScout is the ideal tool for people of all ages that have ever looked up at the night sky and had a desire to know more about the objects that make-up our surrounding universe.”

The formal donation was made today at a STEM program ceremony during the Girl Scouts’ STEM training, when Celestron gave a demonstration to STEM program participants and local Girl Scouts and presented the Girl Scouts with a check for the value of the donation, approximately $40,000.  

About Girl Scouts of the USA
With nearly 3.7 million members throughout the United States, its territories, and globally, the Girl Scouts aim to build character and skills among girls for success in the real world. The Girl Scouts develop lifelong qualities through values-based leadership training. For more information on the Girl Scouts, please visit http://www.girlscouts.org.

About Celestron
Celestron is a leading designer, manufacturer and importer of high-quality optical products including computerized and non-computerized telescopes and related accessories, binoculars, spotting scopes and microscopes.  Since manufacturing its first telescope in 1960, Celestron has grown to become one of the world’s leading telescope makers, and enjoys brand-name recognition among serious amateur astronomers for superior optics, outstanding design, and innovative technology.  Celestron’s innovative products continue to receive numerous industry and consumer media accolades, adding to an already impressive list that includes awards for product innovation from Reader’s Digest, Popular Science, PC Magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Consumer Electronics Association and more.  Celestron sells and markets its products worldwide through a variety of specialty retail outlets and international distributors.  Celestron is a privately held company with corporate offices and manufacturing facilities, in Torrance, CA.