Project ASTRO San Diego Astronomer Information

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:

• Attend the summer training workshop
• Make at least four school day visits and one planning/observation visit during a six-month period, at times to be arranged with your partner teacher
• Remain in the program during the school year
• Attend a follow-up workshops
• Be available for their teachers by telephone/email between visits
• Provide a point of contact for the teacher to local astronomical resources (from selecting classroom posters and models, to assisting with planetarium visits and star parties).

Criteria we will consider in deploying astronomers into schools:

• The written volunteer form (attached) and a telephone interview
• Some experience working with schools or explaining astronomy to students or the public
• Commitment to work as a partner with the teacher you are assigned, respecting their professionalism
• Availability of time to carry out the training and the visits
• Willingness to learn and use a hands-on, activities oriented approach to teaching astronomy to children and teens
• Connection with an astronomy or science institution (such as an astronomy club, department, planetarium, observatory, library, museum, etc.)
• The availability of an interested teacher in your area
• Balanced representation of grade levels and geographic areas

Visiting astronomers should have:

• Some experience explaining astronomy to beginners and working with children or teens. A degree in astronomy or physics is NOT required.
• A genuine interest in working with children (ages 10-15)
• Time to commit to at least one planning meeting and four school visits in a six-month period
• Time to make evening telephone or email contact with their partner teacher between visits
• Ability to attend the training workshop
• You may want to participate in a partnership with another astronomer from your group or institution

Project ASTRO's visiting astronomers will:

• Be paired with a 4th to 9th grade teacher at a school or community center in their area
• Participate in a summer training workshop focusing on hands-on activities to engage and motivate students
• Work with their partner teacher to plan school visits and other activities during the school year
• Receive a wide variety of materials and resources for use in your visits, including:
• hands-on activities and materials appropriate to the grade levels you will be visiting
• resource lists
• tips on working with schools and students
• Advice from other astronomers who are interested in education
• Receive support and assistance from Project ASTRO staff (including materials, telephone support, and information about what is succeeding at other school sites)

Coordination

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:

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:

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