Teacher Training

Learn to use open astronomical databases in your classrooms.

Many astronomical telescopes and programs provide their data freely online. Often it is available to everyone at the same time, including the research scientists. Dr. Carlos Badenes will introduce several large databases inclduing the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Mikulski Archive of Space Telescopes. Along with the databases, he will outline some projects your students can do. We will explore projects in small groups. After this workshop, you will be ready to support your students as they do research projects using professional data that is online and waiting. At least one project will be "Chemistry forward" for the several chemistry teachers joining. us.

The Allegheny Observatory serves as a home for a teen program focused on research, outreach and community. Kerry Handron will present opportunities for teens so you can guide your students who might be interested in Astronomy, Physics and related sciences.

Schedule:

8:30 Arrival and coffee
9:00 Introduction to databases in astronomy - Dr. Carlos Badenes
10:15 Introduction to opportunities for your students at AO - Kerry Handron
10:35 - break
10:45 - tour
noon - lunch with student speaker
1:00 - specific database(s) details
2:00 - activity in groups with database
3:00 - report back to group

3:30 - program complete

Lunch and a $100 honorarium are provided. Act 48 credit is available. This is appropriate for physics, astronomy, statistics, chemistry and computer science teachers.