The 'Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai'i in Hilo has recently been awarded a $670,000 grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

The grant will help pay for a pilot project called "Adopt-a-Class" in which school children will be allowed to attend the center free of charge. The grant money will also support the nine-acre campus above the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.

The center has been open since February 2006 and features contemporary architectural design, the state's largest planetarium, interactive exhibits, group tours and a cafe. The center's mission is to celebrate Hawaiian culture and Mauna Kea astronomy by sharing with the world an inspiring example of science and culture.

For more information about the center, visit www.imiloahawaii.org.