Traveling Teacher Workshops

Now it’s even easier to attend Discovery Center Professional Development Workshops with seminars that our educators can put on at a location convenient for you! Consider a one or two hour session after school, or a full or half-day workshop. All workshops can be tailored in terms of content to meet goals in the specified length of time. Other topics may be available upon request. $15 per participant per hour (minimum of $100 per hour). $75 per participant for a full day 6-hour workshop (minimum of $500). Plus round-trip mileage to your location.

Our Solar System
Earth, with its moon, is only one of a number of fascinating planets that orbit the Sun. Explore planetary characteristics, positions, and movement patterns in our solar system with available planetary data. Compare and contrast the planets and learn how gravitational forces affect solar system objects, what evidence has been gathered of planetary systems elsewhere in the universe, and hear an update on current solar system missions.

Comets, Asteroids & Meteors
This workshop will take a close look at some of the smaller members of our solar system. How is a comet different from an asteroid or meteor? What causes meteor showers? Why does a comet have two tails and what are they made of? What is the best way to get the most out of this summer’s meteor showers? Content knowledge and practical demonstrations to enhance understanding will be provided, including meteorites to hold and examine.

Observational Astronomy
Become familiar with our celestial sphere and the basic movement patterns of the stars, moon, Sun and planets. Consider the night sky for the current season in terms of constellations, prominent stars, planets and deep sky objects. The three major types of telescopes will be discussed along with how they work and the advantages of each.

Star Life
Investigate the characteristics common to most stars in the universe, including how they are born, their size, color, shape, temperature and luminosity. Particular attention will be given to the Sun and how we are able to study it. Take a look at the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, and consider the objects formed after a star’s demise, such as neutron stars, white dwarfs and black holes. Class activity ideas will be shared to help teach these concepts to your students.