The Next National ASTRONOMY TEACHING SUMMIT Conference

Dates to be Announced -- Long Beach, California, USA

Please mark your calendar for the next Astronomy Teaching Summit.  This national astronomy teaching conference is being held in Long Beach, California, hosted by Long Beach City College,

The Astronomy Teaching Summit brings together dedicated astronomy and planetary sciences educators to share innovative teaching techniques and successful instructional strategies that increase students’ engagement, achievement, and motivation.  Traditionally focused on improving teaching and learning for the introductory college astronomy ASTRO 101 survey courses for non-science majoring undergraduates, the Summit now brings together a wider variety of astronomy educators and outreach enthusiasts at all levels where astronomy and planetary science is taught: K-12, undergraduate non-majors, undergraduate majors, graduate school, planetariums/museums, and amateur astronomy groups. 

The 2020 Summit will include nationally known keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, contributed presentations, panel discussions, and fireside chats with plenty of opportunities to network with like-minded educators—this is the place to dramatically enhance your teaching skills and learn how to improve your course evaluations!

Anticipated available workshops include:

• online teaching? No problem! Active learning online really works - the insider’s guide

• engaging students with better interactive lecturing techniques

• using in-class activities to change modality of instruction

• increasing students' quantitative reasoning skills

• modern testing and grading techniques that really work

• teaching in the planetarium: increasing student engagement

• Cutting Edge Science Updates - what's new to include in your teaching

This is the place to be to enhance your astronomy teaching toolkit! Astronomy educators and outreach educators from all levels are invited to participate and submit proposals for presentations. The conference is being organized by a highly-respected program committee. Proceedings from previous National Astronomy Teaching Summit meetings can be ordered online (2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019).

• Conference Registration Fee: Just $169 early bird discount (paid by May 15) for three full days, paid online. After May 15, a fee of $249 paid online or on site (all presenters and participants must pay the nominal registration fee to keep the costs low for everyone).

• Conference Hotel: Conference discounted rate of just $169/night at the Hampton Inn Long Beach Airport, 3771 N Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach, California, 90808. Book your discounted room online at this link or by calling the hotel directly at 1-562-425-0012 and giving them the group “Astronomy Summit”. If you find the group rate to be unavailable when you try to book, please let us know at astro101summit@caperteam.com immediately and we will figure out where the hiccup is so you can get a discounted room. The hotel amenities include free hot breakfast, free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Please note that you must book before 35 days (5 weeks) prior to the conference in order to secure the discounted rate. A rental car is not required, but recommended, and $12/night parking is available at the hotel. A daily shuttle will run between the hotel and the conference venue.

• Presentation Proposal Submission: Proposals for 20-minute presentations, 90-minute workshops & panel discussions will be considered until May 15 (there may be limited opportunities for late submissions). Note that attendees and presenters must pay the registration fee in order to keep overall costs low. Propose by providing a 150-250 word description online HERE.

• Meet-The-Authors Sessions: Many of our registered attendees have published books and we certainly want to highlight, celebrate, and spread the word about their books to attendees and provide an opportunity for signing. If you are an author, please contact astro101summit@caperteam.com to set up a book signing event.

• Conference Venue: Sessions run roughly from 8am-7pm each day at Long Beach City College, 4901 East Carson St., Long Beach, California. The Long Beach LGB Airport is less than 1.5 miles from the venue and offers nonstop service to/from 17 domestic destinations with American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Jet Blue, and Southwest Airlines. The nearest giant airport is Los Angeles LAX, 23 miles away.

• Closing Reception! Don't leave early! The closing reception is definitely not to be missed, and the cost is already included in your registration.

Don’t miss this conference and a chance to improve your astronomy students’ learning! 

A Note about COVID-19

We were unable to host our most recent meeting due to California’s rules about large gatherings. We’ll see you in the future in Long Beach!

To receive information updates about the upcoming Astronomy Teaching Summit, please add your name and email address here:

Thanks to our generous sponsors, including:

For additional information, email: astro101summit@caperteam.com or call +1(520)975-1373 in the USA