Ancient Skies, Modern Tools: Stellarium in the Classroom Summer 2026
Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 07/29/2026 at 10:00 AM (PDT)
- Registration Closed
A four part workshop series for astronomy educators showcasing the free astronomy visualization software Stellarium. Participants will learn Stellarium’s applicability for creating learner-centered lessons through examples facilitated by experienced ASP educators. The series culminates in a showcase and discussion of participant created lesson plans using Stellarium.
Wednesdays 7/29, 8/5, 8/12, and 8/19. 10am -12pm PT/ 1pm-3pm ET
7/29 Workshop 1: Introduction and Basics 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.
8/5 Workshop 2: Stellarium as a Teaching Tool Part 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.
8/12 Workshop 3: Stellarium as a Teaching Tool Part 2 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.
8/19 Workshop 4: Participant Showcase 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.
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.
Registration: Early Bird Registration through June 30: $140, Regular Registration through July 29: $150
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. 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.
Shanil Virani
Cosmic Engagement Specialist
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Shanil Virani is a professional astronomer and passionate science educator with more than 30 years of classroom teaching experience. He has taught astronomy at both the high school and university levels to majors and non-majors, and in 2017 was nominated by his students for James Madison University’s General Education Distinguished Teaching Award. Shanil has extensive experience in observational astronomy and data-driven research, including working at the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics as a member of the Science Operations team for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory for more than five years. As a planetarium director and faculty member at two large state universities, he has guided learners through the scientific analysis of real astronomical data. In addition to his role at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, he is an Adjunct Professor in the University Honors College at The George Washington University, where he teaches a course on archaeo-astronomy and the cultural history of the sky.
Tony Smith
Online Learning Program Manager
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Tony Smith is the Online Learning Program Manager at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Tony has worked in informal science education since 2011 at various Pacific Northwest science centers and prior to joining the ASP managed the J. Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum in Honolulu, HI. In addition to the ASP, Tony also works part time at the Washington State University Planetarium and volunteers at the Palouse Discovery Science Center in Pullman, WA where he lives. Tony is passionate about science education and uses an interactive presentation style, asking for observations and input from the audience throughout his presentations.
