The Nuts and Bolts of Teaching Astronomy - April 30, 2025
Includes a Live Web Event on 04/30/2025 at 3:30 PM (PDT)
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Register
- Non-member - Free!
- Member - Free!
In this 90-minute introductory workshop, join experienced teachers who have taught astronomy in grades K-12 to cover the “nuts and bolts'' of what an astronomy unit or class could look like. From creating a curriculum map, to selecting resources, and sample lab activities and experiments to consider, this workshop will prepare you to teach astronomy. This workshop is perfect for those teaching astronomy for the first time this fall, as well as experienced astronomy teachers who are interested in discovering new resources and connecting with peers. Follow-up content specific workshops during summer 2025 will extend and expand on this workshop. Completion of the entire suite of workshops will allow you to earn graduate credit to go along with clock hours of professional development.
Participants will gain the following through participation in the workshop:
- Classroom-tested resources and activities that facilitate student-centered learning
- Strategies for engaging learners at different grade levels
- See a sample astronomy unit and course syllabus
- Learn about free online textbooks
- Access to astronomy education experts who will facilitate the workshop
- A certificate of completion for participating in 2 clock hours of professional development
Shanil Virani
Program Assistant
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Shanil Virani is a professional astronomer and a passionate science educator with more than 2 decades of classroom teaching experience. He has taught astronomy at both the high school level and at the university level to both majors and non-majors. In 2017, Shanil was nominated by his students for James Madison University’s General Education Distinguished Teaching Award. In addition to his current role at the ASP, he is also an Adjunct Professor in the University Honors College at The George Washington University where he teaches a class on archaeo-astronomy.
Theresa Summer
Astronomy Educator
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Theresa Summer has been active in astronomy education since 1998. She shares her love for astronomy with everyone… in planetariums, museums, classrooms, tutoring and public observing events.
At the ASP since 2016, Theresa has been developing programs to spread astronomy and science literacy around the globe. She is the creator of the “Confidence & Curiosity: Girls at the Telescope” workshop and award winning video series, as part of NASA’s Girl Scouts Reaching for the Stars, the team that produced the GS Space Science badges
With a specific focus on social justice and increasing opportunities for marginalized voices, Theresa’s secret mission in life is to make science more welcoming to all. She believes that science is for everyone, and is an important part of being an active citizen in today’s world.
Brian Kruse
Director, Teacher Learning Center and Formal Education Programs
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Brian Kruse manages the ASP's Project ASTRO National Network and Bay Area Project ASTRO, programs which have partnered astronomers with classroom teachers. A veteran classroom teacher, Brian has taught middle school earth science and physical science, and high school physics, earth science, physical science, and integrated science. He has also served as a NASA Explorer Schools Coordinator, where he worked with teams of teachers to foster NASA-inspired whole-school impacts. When not working, Brian is frequently found hiking and birding with camera in hand.
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