McDonald Observatory offers a spectacular setting for teacher workshops in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.
Workshops include telescope tours, discussions with resident researchers, and nighttime observations. Educators experience inquiry-based activities aligned with science and mathematics teaching standards, practice astronomy skills under the Observatory’s dark skies, and work with nationally recognized astronomy educators. Participants receive Continuing Professional Education credits.
Summer Workshops
Planetary Systems
Dates: June 10-13
Application due: February 18
Accepted educators notified: March 6
For teachers of grades 4-12
20-24 Continuing Education Units
Cost: $100
During this engaging workshop, educators will participate in activities addressing how planetary systems form and evolve. From learning about our own Solar System to exploring exoplanets, teachers will be equipped with interactive activities and resources they can bring back to their classroom. In addition to these resources, teachers will build Galileoscopes, tour our large research telescopes, and learn about the important research and discoveries that are happening here at McDonald Observatory. We will also offer viewing of the night sky with our big telescopes.
Exploring the Cosmos
Dates: June 16-19
Application due: February 18
Accepted educators notified: March 6
For teachers of grades 8-12
20-24 Continuing Education Units
Cost: $100
Dive into the fundamentals of cosmology in this professional development workshop. Participants will explore the structure, origin, and evolution of the universe while gaining classroom-ready strategies and resources. Additionally, teachers will be building Galileoscopes, touring our large research telescopes, and learning about the important research and discoveries that are happening here at McDonald Observatory. We will also offer viewing of the night sky with our big telescopes.
Our Amazing Solar System
Dates: June 23-26
Application due: February 18
Accepted educators notified: March 6
For teachers of grades K-8
20-24 Continuing Education Units
Cost: $100
Blast off into our Solar System! Through this workshop, participants will explore the classification of various Solar System objects, investigate size and distance scales, and create a range of models. Additionally, teachers will be building Galileoscopes, touring our large research telescopes, and learning about the important research and discoveries that are happening here at McDonald Observatory. We will also offer viewing of the night sky with our big telescopes.
About Onsite Workshops
Onsite workshops take place over four days at McDonald Observatory in West Texas, beginning in the evening of the first day, and ending at noon on the last day. Participants are provided with housing, either at the Astronomers’ Lodge on Mount Locke or in other local lodging facilities. Lodging will be in single occupancy rooms. The $100 workshop fee (where applicable) covers your portion of the cost of room, meals, and workshop materials. Payment is due upon acceptance in order to reserve a place in the workshop. Teachers are responsible for their own transportation to and from McDonald Observatory.
All programs include both day and night instructional sessions, materials, daytime tours, evening observing (weather permitting), lodging and meals. Please be aware that some of the telescope observing activities will last until late hours.
