ESIA

ESA – GTTP 2020 – A Journey to Space Exploration Missions

18-23 October 2020

The European Space Agency and the Galileo Teacher Training Program join hands again to bring cutting edge training opportunities to all interested teachers. But this time we will have the opportunity to visit the Science Operations Centre of ESA in Madrid (Spain).

The European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC), ESA’s window to the Universe, will open its doors to 25 teachers coming from all over Europe. Make sure you reserve your slot in this adventure. Meet the scientists, visit the facilities and learn about the discoveries taking place there.

This year’s program is focusing on important topics of space exploration – Earth Observation, Mars Exploration, The Sun, Science and Society, Innovative and Inclusive STEAM education and more. The program includes presentations by scientists, hands-on activities, digital tools, research activities, visits to the facility and observing sessions, on site and with robotic telescopes. The training is supported by the CESAR (Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research) team, the resident educational team at ESAC, and by a team from the IAC (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), the Faulkes Telescope Education Team,  National Schools’ Observatory and NUCLIO (the coordinator of the Galileo Teacher Training Program). Participants will have opportunities to network and to establish a series of research projects in partnership with their colleagues and the scientists supporting the training. Come for a training course and go back to your school with a research project in your hands.

Register now

Who can apply?

The workshop is open to teachers of all grade levels and subject domains willing to dive into a real STEAM experience (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths). We believe that learning improves when students are embedded in interdisciplinary experiences and in environments that seamlessly integrate horizontal (across subject domains) and vertical (across different grade levels) articulation.

A minimum of 10 participants is required for the course to take place. 

Preliminary Programme Topics

    • ESA Missions Highlights: Copernicus and Galileo, Mars Express and ExoMars, SOHO and Gaia
    • Lectures by researchers on current topics related to: Earth, Mars, Sun, Cosmic Vision, Science and Society
    • Visits to: Galileo & SMOS control rooms, Mars Express & XMM control rooms, and more
    • Innovative Methodologies: inquiry and project-based learning, interdisciplinary learning, design thinking, science communication for teachers, community building, etc.
    • Space Exploration and Astronomy Software: Stellarium, Salsa J, ESA Sky, etc.
    • Robotic Telescopes: Faulkes Telescope and Peter Telescope
    • Hands-on activities: astrobiology, craters, seasons, supernovae, etc

    The final program will be announced soon.

Venue

The meeting will take place at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villanueva de la Cañada near Madrid. More about ESAC can be found here and here.

Practical Information

More information coming soon (a list of suggested hotels will be found here).

Fees & Funding

The course fee is 70€/day and covers:

  • Participation in all seminars and workshops
  • Lunches and Coffee Breaks
  • Welcome Cocktail
  • Social Dinner
  • Visits to the facilities
  • All necessary materials
  • Social Programs (Night Sky Observing Sessions) and Community Building Events
  • Post-workshop support
  • Social Dinner

ESA Member States applicants may benefit of partial support for their attendance. More specifically, fee waves and hotel accommodation. The number of scholarships is limited and will be assigned by a selection committee constituted by the organisation members. The selection will be based on the information provided in the application. Participants are expected to cover their travel cost and the cost of their remainder meals. The deadline for those participants willing to benefit from a possible scholarship should apply before July 31st 2020.

For participants not selected to benefit from a scholarship or coming from countries that are not an ESA member state but within the European Union, there is the possibility to apply to Erasmus + Mobility Funds. These funds provide individual support for the participants covering their course fee, travel, subsistence and accommodation. For more information on the eligibility of your country please consult the list here. Information on how to apply can be found here.