Exeter Astronomy Education Conference

Join us June 21-26, 2026

The Exeter Astronomy Education Conference is a weeklong gathering of secondary school astronomy educators at all experience levels. Attendance is by application only.

Teachers from across the United States come together to connect, foster long-term collaborations between astronomy programs, and learn about the latest developments and changes in astronomy and astronomy education.This selective, competitive program is designed to promote effective Harkness-style learning. We accept 12 participants, ranging from beginners to advanced educators, to ensure a diverse and enriching experience.

All attendees participate on a scholarship basis which covers tuition, meals on campus and dorm housing.

Interested educators should submit an application. Application will open on November 15. Applicants will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis until capacity is reached.

Typical Conference Schedule:

• Morning Sessions: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• Afternoon Sessions: 1:45 PM – 4:00 PM
• Optional Evening Events: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (weather-dependent observatory sessions)

Past Topics Include:

• Tips and tricks for successful astronomy education.
• Goals of astronomy courses: Syllabus construction to accommodate the rapid developments in science.
• Meeting the needs of the students and the course: Prerequisites.
• Textbooks and software: available resources for the educator.
• Observing components: Computer use in the field.
• Merging observational astronomy into classroom discussion.
• Equipment selection: Cost versus performance analysis.
• Equipment use: From binoculars to CCD imagers.
• External resources: User groups, associations, planetariums, other schools, etc.
• Course-long projects in observational astronomy.