Published: Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 6:02 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 6:02 p.m.

Teenaged stargazers will again have the chance to learn about astronomy from University of Florida professors at the fifth STARS Workshop, scheduled for late March.

The two-day free workshop, funded by a National Science Foundation grant, is scheduled for March 24-25 during Alachua County Public Schools spring break.

Astronomy graduate student and program organizer Tahlia De Maio said the workshop is geared toward students who are interested in science but may not have had experience with astronomy.

From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day of the workshop, students will be in the astronomy department working with professors on labs and using the scientific method.

They get a real hands-on understanding of what it means to do science, De Maio said. Its an immersive two days of being an astronomer.

Students will also observe the stars in the evenings using UFs on-campus telescope.

The workshop is open to students in eighth through 10th grade in Alachua County and surrounding areas. Transportation to UF is not provided.

UF Astronomys STARS Workshop is free, but meals are not provided, De Maio said.

There are 40 spaces in the program and admission is based on student applications, which can be found at http://www.astro.ufl.edu/stars.

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Free astronomy camp set during spring break