The Ultra COVID-19 fund has donated £1,600 to the Andamooka Observatory in Australia to enable it to keep the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) learning program available during the Covid pandemic. This will support further engagement in the community, bolstering morale for the township.
Woomera has a population of 146 people and one of the town's main attractions is the Woomera Baker Astronomy Observatory which houses a new telescope. The observatory runs many community STEM and Science based projects and initiatives, Astronomy activities, and they actively support National Science Week.
Andamooka has a population of approximately 320 people and has an observatory. Andamooka Observatory takes great pride in promoting STEM learning opportunities to remote area locations through astronomy. The observatory is run purely by volunteers and is supported by the tourism and education industries, so it has been severely impacted by COVID-19.
Other smaller towns in these surrounding areas have been impacted by COVID-19, many of whom provide a service to Ultra and others when on deployment. Ultra relies heavily on teamwork to deliver to customers in the field and to see others in very remote areas supporting their community in the face of adversity shows couragee and spirit. Their resilience and tenacity are admirable and fosters the 'can do' attitude that Ultra strives to achieve.
These STEM related organisations align well with Ultra's ASPIRE values:
Agile: adapting to current difficult conditions
Innovating: challenging to think in new ways
Rewarding: seeking out and rewarding positive contribution
More information can be found here: https://andamookaobservatory.com.au/