Education Committee Blog

The AAS Education Committee would like to welcome you to our blog, launched in February 2021. Thanks to so many of you in the astronomy education community, there are many materials, programs, resources, and discussion forums for teaching and learning astronomy. Our goal is to create a “value-added” way to highlight education-related activities supported by the AAS and others that may be of interest to AAS members. Blog posts include deeper dives into topics of interest and connect readers with additional resources.

If you wish to receive email notifications about new blog releases, go to https://aas.simplelists.com, and in the "Subscribe" area, add in your name, email address, select "AASeducation", and click subscribe. You will be sent an email with a link to click to confirm subscription.

All articles are also shared via the Education Committee’s Twitter account and as part of the biweekly AAS Digest that all members already get in their inboxes.

We also welcome topic suggestions and other feedback or submissions to contribute an article to the blog.

Pre-announcement for 2024 AAS-EPD Mini-Grant Program

23 May 2023

The next call for proposals for the AAS Education & Professional Development (EPD) Mini-Grant Program will open around 1 July, with a target deadline of 1 August 2023 for activities occurring in 2024.

Drawing on History

25 Apr 2023

In this Education Committee Blog Post, guest author Ben Senson explains how to use horizon drawings and 2D views to bring the Ptolemaic and Copernican models of the cosmos alive.

Libraries around the Nation Looking for Eclipse Volunteer Support

11 Apr 2023

Guest author Andrew Fraknoi offers resources and opportunities for educators and volunteers to support libraries with solar eclipse programming, in preparation for the two upcoming solar eclipses.

Enhancing the Star Party Experience by Including a Digital Telescope

27 Mar 2023

Guest authors discuss their experiences with having the eVScope 2 at star parties held by both Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University and what they feel makes for the best experience for those attending.

EPD Mini-Grant Awardees at AAS 241 in Seattle

7 Mar 2023

Learn more about the excellent education and professional development activities at AAS 241 which were funded by the AAS Education & Professional Development (EPD) Mini-Grant program.

Cards for Humanity: How the Gemini Card Game Improves User Support

31 Jan 2023

The Gemini Card Game has already made an impact on the connection between the Gemini Observatory and its user community. Initially designed as a conference swag, it also became an educational tool for astronomy teachers.

Galileoscope Kits with Solar Filters for the Upcoming Eclipses

4 Jan 2023

In this Education Committee blog, guest author Douglas Arion introduces a new, updated Galileoscope kit that includes a safe solar filter and sunshade and can be used for daytime and the upcoming solar eclipses.

Bringing Telescopes, Wonder, and Inquiry into Our Science Classrooms

12 Dec 2022

Guest author Daniel Peluso discusses how a new digital smart telescope technology by Unistellar combined with inquiry-based Modeling Instruction astronomy pedagogy may help to improve science education.

Robotic Telescope Labs for Survey-Level Undergraduates

10 Nov 2022

In this Education Committee blog, guest author Daniel Reichart gives an overview of “Our Place In Space!” — a unique survey-level curriculum that leverages “Skynet” and has now been adopted by 30 institutions.

Outreach Training Webinar for Scientists and Engineers

1 Nov 2022

Are you a scientist or engineer who would like to improve your outreach skills? NASA’s Universe of Learning webinar series is for you! The first webinar will take place Wednesday, 9 November.