PSC 203 – Elementary Astronomy Name ________________________
Spring 2009
Bonus writing assignment option
due date April 30th , 2009
Students may elect to write an essay for the Spring 2009 NASA Space Grant Essay competition. The
instructions for the essay contest are posted on the official Essay Contest form available from Dr. Cash.
To use this essay as a bonus assignment for the WAC portion of your grade, you must include this
cover sheet with the essay to separate it from other essay contest submissions. You do not have to be
eligible to enter the contest to use this essay as a bonus writing assignment.
This essay will be graded on a similar point scale as the other WAC writing assignments that have been
assigned through out the semester (based on grammar, spelling, overall quality of the writing, inclusion
of all required content, and accuracy of astronomical information). Your grade on the essay will replace
the lowest score for the other three WAC assignments. If your score on this essay is lower than your
other papers, it will not be used to lower your grade. Completing this bonus essay will be particularly
helpful for any student who did not complete one of the three regular WAC papers.
Any student who is eligible, will also have their essay entered into the competition for a chance at the
$200 first prize. These essays will be compared to other submitted essays for overall quality of the
writing and clear expression of NASA's contributions.
Please check one of the following options and return this form with your essay
_______ I wish to use this essay as a bonus writing assignment for PSC 203, but I am not eligible to
enter it into the NASA Space Grant essay competition.
_______ I wish to use this essay as a bonus writing assignment for PSC 203, and I am also eligible to
enter it into the NASA Space Grant essay competition.