This Year’s Workshop is Planned for July 28 – August 1, 2025

In 2025, the Penn State In-Service Workshops in Astronomy (PSIWA) are again offering an astronomy content workshop as part of our ongoing commitment to science-teacher professional development.

Save the date! Our 2025 workshop will be the following:

Telescopes and Astronomical Data – July 28 – August 1, 2025

Image of the dome of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory with the flags of the partner institutions visible in the foreground.

A printable flyer that can be shared with interested educators will be posted as soon as it is available.

When the agenda is finalized, it will be posted here.  Topics likely to be included in the workshop will be:

  • The electromagnetic spectrum from an astronomical perspective
  • The Sloan Digital Sky Survey, The Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time, and wide-field imaging surveys
  • X-ray telescopes and x-ray astronomy
  • Gamma-ray telescopes and gamma-ray astronomy
  • Recent science results from gravitational wave observatories
  • Astronomical projects from conception to publication
  • Measuring magnitudes and astronomical photometry
  • Turning astronomical images into data for analysis

The application form for the 2025 workshop will be posted in January.

Applications received by April 4, 2025 will receive priority consideration, but applications after that date will also be considered if spots remain available.

The workshop will require a $100 registration fee.

For teachers with genuine need, a stipend will be provided – further stipend details will be provided on the 2025 workshop web page when the application form goes live.

We plan for participating PA teachers to receive approximately 30 hours of Act 48 credit for attending (exact numbers of hours will be available when the agenda is finalized).  For out-of-state teachers, we can provide documentation for you to request similar credit for your state.

All sessions are held in Davey Lab on the Penn State University Park campus (in State College, PA).

Overall General Description

The PSIWA, inaugurated in summer 1996, consist of one or more week-long workshops for middle-school and high-school science teachers and other educators. They are held at the main University Park campus in State College, PA, in the heart of Central Pennsylvania. The Workshops are offered by Penn State’s Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics.

The Workshops provide a multifaceted experience in modern astronomy. They combine lectures on astronomical topics, discussions on their presentation in the classroom, examination of multimedia curricular materials (e.g., texts, animations, simulations, software), hands-on classroom laboratory experiments with inexpensive equipment, nighttime observing, and other inquiry-based activities. While one central instructor will guide the Workshop, guest presentations by other faculty, research astronomers, science education faculty, and secondary school Master Teachers are also included. The Workshops are intensive, requiring a full-time commitment for 5 days (and even some evenings – for the nighttime observing and the banquet).

Current Workshop Faculty 

W. Niel Brandt 
  Eberly Chair Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at Penn State, will be the principal instructor for the 2024 course. The winner of several research awards, he studies black holes at the centers of active galaxies and cosmic surveys. Niel is committed to educational outreach and also is the past administrator for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) astronomy awards. 

Glenn Goldsborough
headshot of Mr. Glenn Goldsborough  Physics and Astronomy Teacher at Pennsbury High School, is an alumnus of past workshops and has spent more than a decade as a co-instructor for many different workshops.  He will be returning to co-teach the 2024 workshop.

Chris Palma
Headshot of Dr. Chris Palma

 Teaching Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics at Penn State, Chris has served as the director of the workshop program for most years since 2002.  He co-teaches active learning sessions with Glenn, and helps to manage all program logistics.

Workshop Support

Since the workshop program began, we have been fortunate to receive funding and other support from a number of sources.  Current funding and support sources include the following:

  • A National Science Foundation award to Prof. W. Niel Brandt
  • The Penn State Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics
  • Barnes & Noble – The Penn State Official Bookstore

All inquiries about this website can be directed to Prof. Niel Brandt at 814-865-3509.

Accessibility and Equal Opportunity

This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Chelsey Fisher at 814-865-0418 in advance of your participation or visit. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.