Astronomy Workshops and Courses

Expand your knowledge and your mind by attending a workshop run by astronomers for teachers and the general public.

Canberra

• Astronomy and Astrophysics Courses at ANU – all courses are taught by internationally famous researchers.

Melbourne

• Free Astronomy Public Lectures – public lecture series run by the Swinburne Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing.
• Public AstroTours – 3D tours of the universe run by the Swinburne Centre for Astrophysics & Supercomputing. Tours operate during the school holidays.
• School programs – offered by Swinburne University’s Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing.

Perth

• Perth Observatory Teachers’ Workshops – March to November, contact Perth Observatory for details.
• Public Astronomy Courses – by the Curtin University of Technology.

Sydney

• ATNF Teacher Workshops The CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility runs a variety of workshops for teachers including the annual three-day “Astronomy from the Ground Up!” at the famous Parkes Observatory

The University of New South Wales:

• HSC Physics Stage 6 Preliminary Syllabus An introduction to the new NSW HSC physics syllabus, with modules on (i) the world communicates, (ii) electrical energy in the home, (iii) moving about and (iv) the cosmic engine.
• Science in the Pub is the National Science Week initiative of the Australian Science Communicators (NSW). Hear about the issues, developments and excitement of science over a foaming ale and a bite to eat. Held on the last Wednesday of every month, SciPub brings scientists together to argue the Big Issues in science. Astronomy topics regularly feature in the debates.
• The Orion Science and Astronomy Club Friday Nights at UNSW observatory, featuring astronomical talk, Starlabplanetarium, and viewing. Contact Outreach Manager, Faculty of Science and Technology, UNSW. 02-93855750.

The University of Sydney:

• For many years, staff of the School of Physics have also been active in the presentation of Astronomy courses to the general public through the University’s Continuing Education Program. The current Modern Astronomy courses form a sequence over two years with the following titles:
  • Modern Astronomy – The Sun and Planets
    An introduction to astronomy – the sky, Sun and planets.
  • Modern Astronomy – Stars and Galaxies
    Introduction to Stars, galaxies, the universe as a whole.
  • Modern Astronomy – The Lives of the Stars
    A more detailed look at the birth, life and death of stars.
  • Topics in Modern Astronomy
    Astronomers talk about their own research.
  • The School of Physics also conducts biennial Science Teachers Workshops for Physics teachers which usually have some astronomy content.

Online Courses

• Swinburne University’s Astronomy Online courses are designed with science educators in mind.