AAEConnect

The Association for Astronomy Education (AAE) in an organization committed to excellence in Astronomy Education at all levels, in particular with a focus on K-12 students. Our membership consists mainly of educators with strong interests in using astronomy to enrich learning in their classrooms or other settings. We are committed to excellence in professional development of teachers and informal educators, as well as to sharing astronomy directly with K-12 students and the general public. The scope of our work extends beyond just astronomy, as we seek to encourage the use of connections between the excitement and engagement that astronomy can offer as a hook to learning in other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines, and in fields outside of STEM education. In alignment with the National Science Education Standards we strive to encourage a shift in emphasis in astronomy and science education, away from content driven fact based knowledge towards content rich inquiry driven learning and understanding.

We are an associated group of the National Science Teachers Association, and provide workshops and events at each of the national, and many of the regional, meetings. We collaborate closely with the American Astronomical Society and we host an educator reception and a public "AstroZone" event during each of their semi-annual meetings. We are also a member organization of the Coalition for the Public Understanding of Science.