The Research Component

Astronomy from the Ground Up, in many ways, is developing and testing a new model of professional development for informal science educators. The project builds on emerging models to create a menu of synergistic solutions: 1) workshops to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to communicate astronomy content; 2) an astronomy toolkit of hands-on activities enabling practitioners to address astronomical events and discoveries in the news while also teaching the basic concepts needed to understand them; and (3) an ongoing "community of practice" network in which practitioners work together to deliver effective informal astronomy education and contribute to the research on the knowledge base that informs their practice.

The project has the potential for making a strategic impact on the informal science education field with its research on the use of online learning compared to more traditional onsite professional development workshops. The Institute for Learning Innovation (ILI), as project evaluator, will produce a Research Case Study comparing the strength of each delivery system by examining:

1. How does the learning experience differ between onsite and online learning workshop experiences (differences in the learning process, timing, satisfaction, integration into participant's life)?
2. How do the outcomes of onsite and online learning professional development compare, particularly when ongoing online support is provided (e.g., application in professional context, quality of communication, and public learning and satisfaction)?
3. What are the comparative advantages and apparent disadvantages of both workshop formats for participants, and under what circumstances is one format superior to the other?

After the completion of the first phase of the project (sometime in 2009), the results of the project and its studies will be disseminated to educators in both astronomy and the general informal science education field.

For more details or updated information, please contact us at afgu {at} astrosociety.org.

Is AFGU Right for Me and My Institution?
AFGU Workshops and How to Apply to Become a Participant
The AFGU Toolkit
The AFGU Online Community
Frequently Asked Questions

Return to the AFGU Home Page

Privacy & Legal Statements | Site Index | Contact Us

Copyright ©2001-2008 Astronomical Society of the Pacific