Teacher Workshops

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.

 

Upcoming Workshops

Telescopes and Observations

  • For teachers of grades 8-12
  • 10-14 hours CPE credits
  • Free
  • Local teachers strongly encouraged to apply

Dates

  • Applications due December 13
  • Selected teachers will be notified by December 21
  • Workshop takes place January 24-26, 2025

Workshop

In this hands-on, immersive workshop, you will be able to dive into the fascinating world of telescopes and spectroscopy—two fundamental tools used in astronomy to explore and understand our universe. During this workshop, you will build your own Galileoscope and spectroscope. You will also explore the different wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. In addition to this, you will get to tour McDonald Observatory and learn how astronomers use our research telescopes to make ground-breaking discoveries. We also offer viewings of the night sky through telescopes located at the visitor's center and a telescope on one of our summits.

Schedule

  • Friday, January 24: Dinner at the Astronomers Lodge, then attend a public Star Party.
  • Saturday, January 25: Hands-on activities and tour of telescopes. On Saturday night, enjoy observations on a 36-inch telescope on Mount Locke.
  • Sunday, January 26: Wrap up and depart at noon (sack lunch provided for the road).

     

     

    About On-Site Workshops

    On-site 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.

    If you have any questions or want to learn more, please send an inquiry to teachers@mcdonaldobservatory.org

     

     

    K-12 Education Program Support

     
    We are grateful to the following organizations for their support of 2024 K-12 Education programs
    • The Fash Foundation
    • The Alfred S. Gage Foundation
    • The George and Cynthia Mitchell Foundation
    • The Meyer Levy Charitable Foundation
    • The National Science Foundation
    • Dr. Mary Kay Hemenway McDonald Observatory Outreach and Education Excellence Fund
    • Mary Ann Rankin Endowment for McDonald Observatory for UTeach Workshops
    • Friends of McDonald Observatory 
    You can help support our programs through a contribution to our Annual Fund, a Friends Membership, or planned gift.