Project ASTRO San Diego Astronomer Information

At a time when study after study shows that there is a serious crisis in science education in the schools, all of us who love astronomy must make more of an effort to help share the excitement of science with future generations. Project ASTRO seeks to enhance science and astronomy education by fostering ongoing partnerships between teachers and astronomers.

We are searching for amateur or professional astronomers to participate in an innovative program to enhance science education in San Diego County schools and community centers. Project ASTRO pairs visiting astronomers with local teachers to share the wonders of astronomy with students. Unlike other programs, the Project ASTRO partnership enables students to really get to know "their" astronomer throughout the course of the school year. Astronomers and teachers participate in a Saturday training workshop, receive a wide variety of activities and resource materials, and work together to plan activities and programs for their classroom.

Astronomers commit to make at least four visits plus an observing/planning visit to their partner school during the first school year and to continue their partnership in subsequent years if possible.
Project ASTRO emphasizes a hands-on, inquiry-based approach that research has shown is most effective in helping students learn science. Visiting astronomers help to lead these hands-on activities, but many also go beyond the classroom to arrange field trips, assist with science fairs, and organize evening observing sessions (which are kindly provided to schools by the amateurs of the SDAA).

Visiting astronomers commit to:

Criteria we will consider in deploying astronomers into schools:

Visiting astronomers should have:

Project ASTRO's visiting astronomers will:

For more information, please contact one of the local coordinators listed below, or check out the Frequently Asked Questions at the Project ASTRO San Diego website.

Coordination

Project ASTRO is a national program overseen by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). However, local sites are responsible for raising their own funds to continue the program, organizing the training workshops, and recruiting and managing the partnerships. Project ASTRO San Diego is supported by a local coalition which includes the Reuben H. Fleet Foundation, the University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, and local community colleges. We are also very fortunate to have the support (through volunteers and star parties) of the San Diego Astronomy Association, which is the 2nd largest amateur astronomy club in the US.

Coordination of the site is a part-time effort shared by Prof. Ron Angione (SDSU) and Dr. Philip Blanco (SDSU/USD), both of whom are available to provide information and assistance during the school year.

Contact information:

A wealth of information can be found on the
Project ASTRO San Diego website: http://mintaka.sdsu.edu/projectastro/

which is continually updated with workshop information, application materials, links to sample activities and national program information provided by the ASP.

Questions and requests for application forms may be directed to:

Dr. Philip Blanco - Coordinator, San Diego Project ASTRO
Email: pblanco@sciences.sdsu.edu

Additional information related to project management and funding can be obtained from:

Dr. Ron Angione - Director, San Diego Project ASTRO Coalition
Department of Astronomy, PA-210
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-1221.
Phone (619) 594-6182. Fax: (619) 594-1413.
Email: angione@sciences.sdsu.edu

Project ASTRO San Diego