Teachers…Wouldn’t it be great if an astronomer visited your

classroom several times during the year, answered students’ questions,

and helped you meet the Pennsylvania science standards for
astronomy and earth science?

Astronomers…Do you enjoy sharing your love of astronomy with

others? Would you like to help local teachers open young minds to
the beauty of the universe?

What is Project ASTRO?

Project ASTRO is a National Program that creates long-term partnerships between
astronomers and teachers or youth group and community leaders. The philosophy behind
Project ASTRO is that students learn best when using hands-on inquiry-based activities in
combination with a constructivist approach to teaching. The astronomer is a resource for
the teacher both in and outside the classroom and provides students with the unique
opportunity to have long-term interactions with a scientist.

How does project ASTRO work?

Project ASTRO pairs K-12 teachers and youth group leaders with visiting
volunteer astronomers who have an interest in working with local schools and
community organizations. A partnership usually consists of one astronomer and
one or two teachers at the same school.

What training will I receive?

At the training workshop, teachers and their partner astronomers meet for the first time
and are engaged in effective classroom test hands-on astronomy activities that meet the
PA state science standards. All participants receive a copy of The Universe at Your
Fingertips, a collection of over ninety of the very best hands-on activities for teaching
many aspects of astronomy. Partnerships also receive a variety of astronomy resources
for use in the classroom. During the workshop partners develop a strategy for working
together, in and out of the classroom, and start planning their astronomy lessons and the
astronomer’s first visit. There is no cost to attend the workshop.
How does the program work during the school year?
The astronomers commit to making at least four visits to the same one or two classrooms
or youth group. During these visits they answer students’ questions and lead or assist the
teacher with astronomy activities. Examples of activities include the reason for the
season, modeling the phases of the Moon, making a scale model of our Solar System,
observing the moons of Jupiter, making a comet and modeling the life cycle of stars.
Other visits may include going on field trips, creating an astronomy club or helping with
science fair projects. Many partnerships organize evening stargazing parties during the
school year, which are excellent opportunities to include parent and other classes in the
school. Students and their families look through telescopes, locate the constellations and
share class projects.

Applications are due July 15, 2009

Training Workshop: Friday & Saturday, August 14-15, 2009

For more information and application forms:

Call Karen Vanlandingham at 610-436-2788
E-mail kvanlandingham@wcupa.edu
Fax 610-436-3036

PROJECT ASTRO WCU

IS PARTLY FUNDED BY

Project ASTRO WCU

West Chester University
750 S. Church St.
Merion Science Center, Rm 207
West Chester, PA 19393
PENNSYLVANIA SPACE GRANT
CONSORTIUM

“We live in a changing universe, and few things are changing faster
than our conception of it.” – Timothy Ferris