Teaching Astronomy Through Inquiry: Student-Centered Investigations with Modern Sky Tools

Workshop Series Registration: $140 Early Bird Registration through June 10, $150 Regular Registration through June 24. 

This 4 part workshop series prepares educators to teach astronomy through student-centered, inquiry-based investigations that mirror the observational practices of ancient and modern astronomers. Using Stellarium (free astronomy software) and other digital tools as a virtual observatory, participants will design learning experiences in which students actively collect data, analyze patterns, and construct evidence-based explanations of celestial phenomena. Optional graduate credit available through the University of the Pacific for $80 per credit.

Rather than focusing on software proficiency alone, the course emphasizes how modern tools can recreate classical astronomical observations — such as tracking the Sun, Moon, and stars over time — while engaging students in scientific reasoning, modeling, and prediction. Participants will examine how these investigations connect historical ways of knowing with contemporary scientific understanding. Between sessions, participants will analyze example lessons and develop their own inquiry-driven instructional materials for use in their classrooms. The course culminates in a showcase and reflective analysis of the lessons developed by participants. See the "Series Outline" tab for week by week details.

Each workshop is 2 hours long. Participants should expect to spend around 2 hours between the workshops on relevant assignments.

Participants who complete all 4 workshops and assignments will receive a certificate of completion for participating in 14 clock hours of professional development and will have the option of earning graduate credit through the University of the Pacific. See the "Graduate Credit" tab for more details.

Attendance/Refund Policy

Live attendance is strongly encouraged and expected in order to get the most out of the interactive session. A recording will be available for those who cannot attend live or who would like to review the content. Because recordings are provided, refunds are not offered except in extenuating circumstances. If you need to cancel please email learn@astrosociety.org.

Workshop Series Outline

Workshop 1: Introduction and Basics, June 24 will cover the basics of using Stellarium and how it can be used to visualize various astronomical ideas such as constellations, the celestial sphere, daily motion of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, eclipses, retrograde motion, and more. After the workshop participants will use and play with Stellarium on their own and work through an example lab to familiarize themselves with the software.

Workshop 2: Stellarium as a Teaching Tool Part 1, July 1 will highlight how Stellarium can be used to generate data that allows students to “discover” astronomical concepts rather than lecturing using slides. ASP staff will lead an example lab collecting data to investigate the phenomenon of the rising and setting of the sun. After the workshop participants will begin to brainstorm and then develop a Stellarium-based lab or activity they would like to use with their own students and read through an example lab.

Workshop 3: Stellarium as a Teaching Tool Part 2, July 8 will again highlight how Stellarium can be used to generate data that allow students to “discover” astronomical concepts rather than lecturing using slides. ASP staff will lead an example lab collecting and analyzing data investigating the true length of a day. After the workshop participants will further develop a Stellarium-based lab or activity they would like to use with their own students and prepare for the final workshop showcase and review another example lab.

Workshop 4: Participant Showcase, July 15 will invite participants to share and discuss the ideas they have explored and are developing after experiencing the first 3 workshops. They will get feedback from their peers and ASP staff. All labs participants develop will live in a shared repository for all to access, use, and modify.

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific partners with the University of the Pacific - Bernerd College to offer graduate-level semester units of non-degree credit for completing coursework with the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Here's how it works:

1. Complete all requirements for the ASP facilitated workshop series.
2. Register for the corresponding University of the Pacific course (linked below), submitting your certificate of completion from this series in the process.
3. Complete the assignments facilitated and graded by the University of the Pacific.

Please visit the University of the Pacific website for more details. 

Course Expectations To successfully earn graduate credit, participants are expected to:

• Attend and actively participate in all four workshop sessions (8 hours total)
• Complete approximately 2 hours of between-session assignments, including analysis of inquiry-based lessons and guided observational investigations
• Design and submit an original student-centered astronomy lesson or lab that engages learners in data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Participate in the lesson showcase and peer discussion, offering and receiving constructive feedback
• Submit a final reflective essay demonstrating how their instructional design supports inquiry, scientific reasoning, and student sense-making. 

Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Design inquiry-based astronomy investigations in which students collect, analyze, and interpret observational data
• Use digital tools (e.g., Stellarium) as a virtual observatory to replicate and extend classical astronomical observations
• Guide students in constructing evidence-based explanations and predictions about celestial phenomena
• Connect historical astronomical practices with modern scientific understanding, highlighting astronomy as a human endeavor
• Facilitate active learning environments where students engage in questioning, modeling, and testing their ideas

Email learn@astrosociety.org with any questions