In the Footsteps of Galileo - February 19, 2025

Registration closes Sunday, 2/9 at 11:59pm Pacific Time

Workshop takes place Wednesday, February 19, 2025 3:30 - 5:00pm Pacific / 6:30 - 8pm Eastern.

In this 90-minute workshop classroom and informal educators will experience activities recreating the observations Galileo used to promote the heliocentric model of the solar system.

When Copernicus set out a heliocentric model for the solar system, there was scant evidence in support of the idea. It took the observations of Tycho, the calculations of Kepler, and the observations and promotions of Galileo to solidify scientific support for the notion the Sun, not the Earth, was the center of the solar system. In this workshop, educators from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific will facilitate investigations to explore and recreate two of the most important sets of observations in support of heliocentrism. Participants will explore Galileo’s observations of the moons of Jupiter, and the phases of Venus through modeling the motion of both Jupiter’s moons and the planet Venus. Group discussions will include looking at the historical context and legacy of Galileo’s observations as keystone events in the history of science, and how they expanded our perceptions of the universe. Other potential topics include how to use Galileo’s observations as vehicles to teach fundamental concepts in astronomy as well as basic scientific concepts and principles. The activities presented have immediate use in the classroom where students will engage in collaborative and inquiry-based activities as they learn the process of science.

Registrants for the workshop will receive a toolkit with materials for use during the live session.

Participants will gain the following through participation in the workshop:

• An understanding of the historical context for Galileo’s observations.
• An understanding of, and ability to model the key observations Galileo made which were essential in promoting the eventual acceptance of the heliocentric model of the solar system.
• Strategies we have found to successful at engaging learners of all ages
• Access to astronomy experts who will facilitate the workshop
• A free 6 month subscription to Mercury magazine online
• A certificate of completion for participating in two clock hours of professional development.

Registration: $75 all inclusive of materials and shipping to locations within the continental U.S. 

*Participants from Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and US Territories may be required to cover additional shipping charges.

Attendance/Refund Policy

Live attendance is strongly encouraged and expected in order to get the most out of the interactive session. Full refund is available for cancellations up to 14 days prior to the start of the workshop. If you need to cancel please email learn@astrosociety.org.