Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline for applications?
March 1, 2026 at 11:59pm HST.
Who is eligible to apply to TeachAstro?
Applicants must be employed in Hawaiʻi and working in grade 6-12 STEM education, either in a school or an educational institution (for example, a museum or observatory).
Is there travel support available for participants who don’t live on Hawaiʻi Island?
Yes – participants from neighbor islands will be provided round-trip airfare and housing.
Is there housing support available for Hawaiʻi Island participants who don’t live near Hilo?
Yes – we will provide housing for such participants. We do not want a long/infeasible commute to be a barrier to participating.
Do I need to be an experienced STEM educator to apply?
We welcome educators with a wide range of experience, from novices to highly experienced ones and everyone in between.
What kind of academic background is required for TeachAstro?
We do not require a science background or software skills to apply, although both would be beneficial. You will learn a wide range of astronomy material through this program, thanks to the guided research projects, talks, and other associated activities.
What other skills would be useful for my application?
Basic familiarity with computers is a must, since the research experience will involve using computers to interact with astronomical data. However, knowledge of specific applications or programming languages is not required. We are aiming to build a diverse cohort of participants, and we will tailor the content and scope of the summer program accordingly. Good verbal and written communication skills are valuable because of the interactive nature of the program. Previous experience with astronomy or STEM research is not a requirement, but an enthusiasm for these topics is.
How many applicants apply to the program each year?
While this will be our program’s third year, the previous two years were held in Honolulu so it’s difficult for us to guess what the size of the applicant pool will be for our first summer program in Hilo. If you are interested in attending, please apply!
Do I need to own a computer to participate?
Using your own laptop is preferred, but if you do not have one, we will provide you one for the week.
When will I know if my application is successful?
We will begin contacting successful applicants in late March or early April. Once we have a full complement of participants we will contact all the unsuccessful applicants.
What is expected for participants’ attendance?
TeachAstro is an in-person experience that spans 5 full days of the week. Our tentative daily schedule has a start time of 8:30am and an ending time of 5:00pm, though we will finalize the exact times once the participants are selected. Participants are expected to attend the entire week. Remote participation will not be feasible.
What happens during the workshop?
The past 2 summer programs had the following components, and we expect this summer’s program to be very similar:
- Research experience: The first 3.5 days comprised 2 research projects that taught astronomical data and associated software. The projects were designed to lead the participants to a concrete outcome, with the 2 projects led by a different IfA faculty.
- Supplemental talks: Each day included 2 talks by other IfA researchers, namely a 1-hour “Teach & Share” session in the morning and a 30-minute research talk in the afternoon.
- Show & Tell: At the end of each day, we had a 30-minute session introducing participants to educational resources available to them via IfA. We also had 2 optional nighttime events: a star-viewing party at a local park and a remote observing session on the Keck-2 telescope.
- Curriculum development: The last 1.5 days of the workshop were centered on curriculum development, which relied heavily on the engagement of the participants. We started with a brainstorming session, followed by group formation, and then ample working time. We concluded with a session where each group shared their lesson plan and received feedback from the other participants.
- Cohort building: A key component of the workshop was to develop a sense of community among all the participants and instructors. This effort included a dedicated morning circle, group lunches, an optional Wednesday night group dinner, and an end-of-program party (pau hana).
- Daily exit polls: At the end of each day, participants completed a short poll about the day’s activities. The instructors met promptly afterward to review the responses and incorporate any adjustments for the next day’s plans.
- Post-workshop funding: We offered each teacher $300 for educational supplies, after they had tested a part of their lesson plan in their classroom and provided us with feedback.
Does the workshop cover content related to the Next Generation Science Standards?
Yes! The content varies each summer, but here is a list of NGSS areas that have been addressed in our workshops so far.
Middle school topics:
- MS‑ESS1‑1: Earth‑Sun‑Moon system, lunar phases, eclipses, seasons
- MS‑ESS1‑2: Role of gravity in motions within galaxies and the solar system
- MS‑ESS1‑3: Scale properties of objects in the solar system
- MS‑ESS1‑4: History of Earth and solar system formation
High school topics:
- HS‑ESS1‑1: Evidence for Big Bang and expansion of the universe
- HS‑ESS1‑2: Stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, and properties of stars
- HS‑ESS1‑3: Motion of galaxies, redshift, and universe structure
- HS‑ESS1‑4: Using mathematical/computational representations to predict motion of orbiting objects
- HS‑PS2‑4: Gravitational interactions and orbital motion
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HS‑PS3‑2: Nuclear fusion and energy transfer in stars
Can I earn professional development credit for participating in TeachAstro?
Yes! During the week, participants will develop outlines for unit/lesson plans. To earn 3 credits of professional development credit through UHM’s College of Education, you will need to develop the full set of materials for the lessons once the workshop is over. This is offered through UHM’s Outreach College as a pass/fail course (STE 583), and TeachAstro will pay for your registration fees.
Do participants find the workshop worthwhile?
Yes! Here are the accumulated responses from our past participants, as collected in our post-workshop survey:
and also these two representative quotes:
My experience with TeachAstro was very valuable. I felt it connected me to a stronger ground of community in astronomy which is something that I cannot obtain from my school as I am the only astronomy teacher there. It was the best and most useful professional development ever. — Laura Daclison, Kapolei High School
The TeachAstro program was inspiring and rejuvenating. I cannot wait to use all that I have learned in my classroom and better serve my students. I have made many connections with other teachers and with many astronomers that I hope to maintain. I would love to come back and do it again! — Stephanie Pickett, Kealakehe High School
How do I get further information?
If you cannot find the information you are looking for on our website, please fill out the Contact Us form.