Teachers on ‘The Dish’ at Astronomy from the Ground Up!, Parkes 2004.

Teachers on ‘The Dish’ at Astronomy from the Ground Up!, Parkes 2004.

Astronomy workshops for teachers

The Australia Telescope National Facility runs a range of workshops to support teachers in teaching astronomy effectively.

  • 26 May 2005 | Updated 14 October 2011

Overview

The Australia Telescope National Facility runs workshops to support science teachers and the effective teaching of astronomy. It runs workshops at its own sites as well as providing sessions at other events such as those run by various science teachers associations around Australia.

ATNF teacher workshops

'Astronomy from the Ground Up!' is our annual three-day workshop held at the Parkes Observatory, in the shadow of 'The Dish'. Aimed at teachers of all levels, it targets the requirements of junior high school science syllabi from around Australia whilst also providing depth and enrichment for teachers of senior Physics.

Meeting and sharing with real scientists was fantastic

Teachers have the chance to meet professional astronomers, hear lectures on different aspects of astronomy including some of the latest discoveries and tour the telescope. Emphasis is placed on practical and hands-on activities that you can take back and use in the classroom.

Participants receive an extensive range of resources to use back at their schools. The 2005 workshop will be held on 13 – 15 May and costs A$260.

Teachers taking part in the 2004 workshop commented:

  • '10/10 - Thoroughly well prepared & presented. I enjoyed it all!'
  • 'Best I've been to, well-paced, fun, useful and well fed.'
  • 'Meeting and sharing with real scientists was fantastic.'

The ATNF offers other workshops as well. Check the Australia Telescope Outreach and Education website for the latest information.

Other workshop sessions

The ATNF Education Officer, Robert Hollow, presents sessions at many other teacher professional development workshops around Australia. These have included sessions at CONASTA and for the Science Teachers’ Association of NSW and the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria.

10/10 - Thoroughly well prepared & presented. I enjoyed it all!

If you are interested in having our Education Officer provide a workshop session or have one of the ATNF scientists give a talk please contact Robert.

More information and booking details

For more details on current and future workshops and sessions and online bookings please visit the Workshops session of the Australia Telescope Outreach and Education.

Learn more about Classroom activities.