Education

Programs

• Astronomy from the Ground Up (AFGU) provides science/nature centers and museums with new and innovative ways to communicate the excitement of modern astronomy to their visitors. It was created by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in collaboration with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory and the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
• Project ASTRO™ Find out more about this highly successful national program that partners astronomers and teachers in the classroom
• San Francisco Bay Area ASTRO is a Project ASTRO National Network Site that is run by the ASP
• Family ASTRO Discover a new program at the ASP that is developing events and activities to share the excitement of hands-on astronomy with families
• Sharing the Universe (STU) will help amateur astronomers find ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of their education and public outreach (EPO) activities by looking at what successful clubs are doing and what "best practices" might be transferable to other clubs or amateurs that may be struggling with EPO. New EPO support resources and networking options will also be tested and made available to astronomy clubs nationwide.
• SOFIA Explore the invisible universe of infra-red astronomy in a 747 at high altitudes
• The Survey of College Astronomy Teachers Add your voice to a growing network of educators who teach introductory astronomy at community colleges and other institutions without extensive research programs
• Cosmos in the Classroom Symposia Learn to teach introductory astronomy for nonscience majors more effectively
• Night Sky Network New Outreach ToolKits and training available from the ASP and NASA. Amateur Astronomy Clubs interested in enhancing or expanding their public outreach and education activities are invited to apply for membership in the "Night Sky Network," a new program specifically designed for amateur astronomers. Read more...
• Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures Downloadable non-technical lectures by noted astronomers covering recent developments in our understanding of the universe.
• SEED Grants The ASP SEED Grant program supports the ASP's mission to improve the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of astronomy by encouraging active researchers to engage in public outreach, K-14 formal education, or informal education programs or activities.
• International Year of Astronomy (2009) Discovery Guides The ASP and NASA have collaborated to create monthly guides highlighting a different theme and object in the sky for each month of 2009. The IYA Discovery Guides contain an article, finder chart for the featured object, a hands on activity that brings the theme of the month as well as links to additional activities related to the topic. Most activities include a short video that can be downloaded showing it in use.
• Astronomy Behind the Headlines is a podcast for informal science educators. Each month, we'll give you a look behind the latest headlines in astronomy and space science and provide links to related resources and activities so you can interpret these exciting topics for your audiences.

Activities

• A Sampling of Hands-On Astronomy Activities from the ASP Jump into hands-on astronomy with these classroom tested activities from a variety of ASP programs
• Surfing the Solar System Surf the web to find the answers to a fun solar system puzzle for the whole family
• Good Astronomy Activities on the Web Navigate the tangled web of activities on the internet with this annotated list, organized by subject
• Night Sky Network Astronomy Activities & Resources

Resources

• The Universe in the Classroom, a newsletter for teachers. Return here quarterly for a new posting or mine the riches of our on-line archives.
• Articles on Education from Mercury Magazine Hunt down some good ideas and resources in these archived articles from the "Education Newswire" and "Black Holes to Blackboards" departments of our membership magazine, Mercury
• Other Articles on Education
  • Astronomy Education in the U.S.: An Overview
  • How to Succeed in College
  • Astronomy Education and Public Outreach: Steps and Missteps Toward an Emerging Profession (pdf)
• A Catalog of National Astronomy Education Projects Check here before you reinvent the wheel. This list contains info on workshop materials and more.
• Selected Bibliographies Gather some great background reading from these annotated astronomical resource guides:
  • Astronomy Education Bibliography
  • Environmental Issues and Astronomy: An Introductory Resource Guide
  • Women in Astronomy: An Introductory Bibliography
  • Astronomical Pseudo-Science: A Skeptic's Bibliography
  • The Moon: A Resource Guide
  • Science Fiction with Good Astronomy & Physics: A Topical Index
  • SETI Messages Bibliography
  • The Astronomy of Many Cultures: A Resource Guide
  • Galileo: The Man and His Science
• Astronomy Education Review Looking for the latest research in astronomy education? This on-line journal and magazine is a good place to start. (A new browser window will open.)
• Web links for Teaching Introductory Astronomy to College Non-science Majors Get out of the lecture mode, even in large classes, with some of these ideas from colleagues.
• Space Science Education Resource Directory Jump into a universe of NASA developed products. (A new browser window will open.)

Staff

Meet the Education Staff at the Society

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