Creating partnerships between grade 4-9 teachers and scientists.

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Project ASTRO endeavors to pair grade 4-9 teachers with volunteer amateur astronomers and/or professional scientists and engineers with an interest in astronomy. The goal is to build long-lasting partnerships that enrich science education in schools. Over the course of the school year, each scientist visits a class at least four times (usually many more) developing an ongoing relationship with the students while assisting the teacher and/or leading astronomy/space science activities. These activities may include hands-on science, question-and-answer sessions, evening star parties for students and their families, or large class projects such as building a telescope or a school sundial.

Project ASTRO was founded in 1993 by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) in San Francisco with a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Teacher and scientist partners:

• attend an exciting two-day professional development training workshop, learn inquiry-based, hands-on pedagogy
• receive a 700-page curriculum guide
• receive exemplary classroom resource materials for hands-on activities
• develop strategies for working together in and out of the classroom
• network with fellow teachers/astronomers
• obtain information about other learning opportunities in the region
• teachers receive 12 professional development clock hours

Project ASTRO also hosts educational events throughout the school year. Many of these events are sponsored by our consortium of institutions, school districts, and individuals who are committed to improving science education.

• Nights at WSU's Jewett Observatory
• Palouse Astronomical Society Events
• Palouse Science Discovery Center Events