Teacher Workshops in Astronomy
CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science (CASS) runs workshops to support science teachers around Australia. In addition to those we run ourselves our Education Officer and other staff present sessions at professional development opportunities organised by other groups such as the Australian Science Teachers Association and the various state Science Teachers' associations.
Details on recent and upcoming CASS workshops or other workshop sessions are provided below.
CASS Teacher Workshops for 2012
Semester 1 of 2012:
- Astronomy from the Ground Up! is
our annual three-day workshop held at the Parkes Observatory, in the shadow
of "The Dish". The 2012 workshop runs from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 May. It targets the requirements of junior Science syllabi from around Australia
whilst also providing depth and enrichment for teachers of senior physics.
Teachers meet professional astronomers, hear lectures on different aspects
of astronomy including some of the latest discoveries and tour the radio telescope.
Emphasis is placed on practical and hands-on activities to take back and use
in the classroom. Explore the wonderful dark night skies through optical telescopes.
Participants also receive an extensive range of resources. We are hoping that this workshop will also qualify as a Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP) workshop, providing international certification for participants. If you are interested
in finding out more about this workshops please click here
for further details and registration.
- Astrophysics for Physics Teachers is a one-day workshop held at our Marsfield headquarters near Sydney on Friday 30 March 2012. It covers the theory required for parts of the Cosmic Engine core topic and Astrophysics option for the NSW Stage 6 Physics syllabus although the content is also suitable for teachers from other states. A range of professional astronomers discuss techniques used in modern astronomy and what their observations reveal about the Universe. Participants discuss practical ideas for addressing syllabus requirements with their students and receive a range of useful resources including a USB memory stick packed with software and other material. Click here for more details and registration.
Go here for Workshop Registration
Other Workshop Sessions and Talks
Our Education Officer, Robert Hollow, presents numerous workshop sessions at other teacher professional development days around Australia. Upcoming sessions include:
A. STANSW 7 - 12 Curriculum Conference, Bankstown Sports Club, Bankstown NSW, 25 November 2011.
CASS EDucation Officer Rob Hollow will be presenting a one-hour talk giving an overview of recent discoveries and developments in astronomy as one of the sessions on offer at this event.
For more details and to register please visit the STANSW Conference site.
B. STAVCON 2011, La Trobe University, Bundoora VIC, November 28 -29 2011.
CASS Education Officer Rob Hollow is presenting the following sessions at STAVCON 2011 in Melbourne:
Workshop session D8, 10:45 - 11:45, Tuesday 29 November
Title: Cosmology in the Classroom
Abstract: The inclusion of the Big Bang in the new Australian Curriculum for Year 10 science poses a challenge for some students and teachers. This workshop provides a concise overview of the key concepts and evidence together with some resources and simple activities that you can use in the classroom to engage your student and develop their critical inquiry skills.
Workshop session E9, 12:45 - 13:45, Tuesday 29 November
Title: The Pocket Solar System, Galileo Teacher Training Program Astronomy Activities for the Classroom.
Abstract: The Galileo Teacher Training Program is a global legacy of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. It aims to provide validated classroom instructional materials and resources for teachers around the world. This workshop session introduces participants to several engaging activities designed to challenge and consolidate students' understanding of some astronomical concepts including scale in the Solar System and more. These varied activities use simple equipment and are readily implemented in the classroom. (Updated version of workshop run at STAVCON 2010).
Workshop session F9, 14:10 - 15:10, Tuesday 29 November
Title: Cosmology in the Classroom
Repeat of session D8 above.
More Information?
If you would like to know more about any upcoming workshops or are interested in having one of our staff present a session at an upcoming event, please contact our Education Officer, Robert Hollow for more information. He can be reached on:
Phone: 02 9372 4247
Fax: 02 9372 4444
Email: Robert.Hollow@csiro.au