ESA announces workshop for science teachers

A limited number of places are available for this hands-on workshop for which registration closes on 25 May 2009.

Develop new skills, refresh existing lessons

The workshop, organised by the European Space Agency as part of the Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP), a cornerstone of the International Year of Astronomy, is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to gain practical hands-on skills to enable them to teach the physical sciences, in particular physics, using astronomy and space science as vehicles for engaging the current generation of second level students with science. This timely workshop is ideal for teachers who are new to teaching the physical sciences or for those who wish to bring fresh ideas to their lessons. The content of the workshop is particularly suited to teachers of pre-University students, those in the final years of secondary school.

The workshop is organised in a series of hands-on sessions in which expert teachers will present proven classroom activities in which key scientific elements are taught using examples from astronomy and space science. The programme for the workshop highlights ESA educational resources and includes sessions on the use of robotic telescopes and image processing software.

A rich variety of astronomy resources is readily available but experienced educators and outreach specialists have identified a critical impediment: many teachers lack the training to understand these resources or use them effectively in their curricula. This ESA/GTTP workshop will address this problem by providing participants with ample time during the workshop to test the activities and to become sufficiently confident with the material to be able to adapt the material to the requirements of their national curricula.

Become a Galileo Teacher

Participants at the ESA/GTTP workshop will be eligible to be certified as a “Galileo Teacher”. This is a tangible recognition of their professional development as a science teacher. The creation of a global network of Galileo Teachers, capable of continuing to implement the effective use and transfer of astronomy education tools and resources into classroom science curricula, will be one of the primary legacies of the GTTP.

Limited places - register now

The workshop is limited to 20 places. European teachers who wish to apply should register before 12:00 CEST on Monday 25 May 2009 by sending an email to: sciedu @ esa.int

with the following information:

• Name of teacher (participant)
• Name and address of school

Please check if you're eligible by following the "Who can apply?" link on the right hand side.

More information

Further details about the workshop can be obtained from: Karen O’Flaherty, sciedu @ esa.int

* The 18 ESA Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Cooperating States Canada, Hungary, Poland and Romania.