Is Astronomy from the Ground Up Right for Me and My Institution?

• Are you an educator/docent/volunteer from an informal education institution such as a science center, nature center, or museum?
• Do your visitors ask you questions about astronomy that you cannot answer?
• Would you like to offer new, improved, or increased astronomy programming, but aren't sure where to start?
• Would you like to communicate with your peers on these issues and participate in a program that offers solutions?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, then Astronomy from the Ground Up is definitely right for you!

Anyone who provides informal science education opportunities for the public on a paid or volunteer basis can apply to participate in the Astronomy from the Ground Up program. Priority consideration will be given to those applicants from small- to medium-sized institutions. Some participants and their institutions will have astronomy programs already, but will be looking to expand them, while others will be offering astronomy for the first time after they are trained.

Note that no background in astronomy is required in order to apply or to take part in the program. However, access to a "high-speed" Internet connection is essential to fully participate. (Click here to learn more about the need for a high-speed Internet connection.)

Why Is Priority Given to Small- to Medium-Sized Institutions?

We know that, collectively, small- and medium-sized informal science education institutions reach millions of Americans every year. But individually, most struggle with limited resources, small staffs, and very modest budgets. That is why Astronomy from the Ground Up is geared toward the smaller institutions and comes at little or no expense to qualifying educators and their home institutions willing to make at least a one-year commitment to the program.

Are there any Other Types of Institutions that AFGU is Looking For?

One of our commitments to our funders at the National Science Foundation is to try to increase informal astronomy education opportunities for people traditionally underrepresented in science. We know that many informal science education institutions already serve significant numbers of such groups. Therefore, not only are we collaborating with women and minority individuals on project development (as we look to develop and deliver relevant content), but we are also giving some preference to those institutions that serve a significant underrepresented population in their community.

Contact us for more information about the types of educators and institutions we are looking to serve through the Astronomy from the Ground Up program.

AFGU Workshops and How to Apply to Become a Participant
The AFGU Toolkit
The AFGU Online Community
The Research Component
Frequently Asked Questions

Return to the AFGU Home Page

*Astronomy from the Ground Up is based upon work supported by the Informal Education Division of the National Science Foundation under Grant no. ESI-0451933. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation

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