Education

The AAS helps its members to develop their skills in the fields of education and public outreach at all levels.

AAS Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education

At the January 2017 AAS meeting in Texas, the AAS Council (now the AAS Board of Trustees) approved the creation of a Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion in Astronomy Graduate Education, which has now published its final report.

AAS-EPD Mini-Grant Program

Proposals are invited from US-based AAS members for small grants to provide education-related mentoring and professional-development experiences for fellow members. Friends and members of the astronomical sciences community are welcome to give to the Ojars J. Sovers PhD Memorial AAS Scholarship / Grant which helps fund the AAS-EPD Mini-Grant Program.

National Osterbrock Leadership Program

Astronomy departments at US universities have a new opportunity to train graduate students in leadership skills thanks to a collaboration between the AAS and the University of California, Santa Cruz, funded by a gift from the Peter and Patricia Gruber Foundation. The first two grants in this program have been awarded to Columbia University and the University of California, Irvine.

AAS Responds to Increased Online Instructional Needs

As increasing numbers of institutions are quickly moving to online instruction in the wake of COVID-19, the AAS would like to support astronomy educators who have suddenly found themselves in this challenging situation. We are aware of many efforts in the community to disseminate techniques for remote teaching and learning as well as online curriculum materials. Our goal in the coming days is to provide short “triage” videos and other materials from experts in online astronomy learning, a curated list of practices and curriculum materials, and links to existing crowdsourced efforts by the community.

Professional Development Opportunities

The AAS hosts and supports professional development programs for wherever you are in your career. Attend our meetings and events and learn how to be the best candidate for the job when it’s time to apply; receive tailored career advice; build your skill set with workshops on science communication, astrostatistics, leadership, and more.

Local Student EPO Event at AAS 235

Contact

Tom Rice, Education and Mentoring Specialist
Tom Rice
Education and Mentoring Specialist
202-328-2010 x142

Resources for Educators

  • Education Research and Best Practices
  • Graduate Education
  • Undergraduate Majors
  • ASTRO 101
  • K–12 Education
  • Informal Education and Outreach
  • Other
AAS in the present