Teacher Training Programme

The Teacher Training Programme (TTP) is an international initiative of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) designed to support professional development for teachers involved in astronomy education. The programme funds and promotes training activities around the world, encouraging the adoption of inquiry-based and student-centred approaches in science education. Through competitive calls, the programme supports workshops and training initiatives that help teachers integrate astronomy into school curricula while strengthening collaboration within the global OAE and NAEC networks.

Each year, the programme selects and funds a number of teacher training initiatives proposed by educators, NAEC teams, and institutions worldwide. These projects focus on strengthening teachers’ scientific knowledge, providing classroom-ready educational resources, and building local and regional communities of practice in astronomy education. Selected projects receive financial support and become part of the international network of training activities promoted by the OAE.

The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education Center Italy contributes to the programme through both financial support and participation in the evaluation process. Members of I-OAE serve on the evaluation committee and jury, reviewing proposals across different school levels. In addition, I-OAE allocates dedicated funding to support teacher training initiatives at multiple scales, including international projects, programmes in the Mediterranean region, and national initiatives in Italy. Through its involvement in the TTP, I-OAE contributes to strengthening the global community of astronomy educators, promoting high-quality training standards and supporting the dissemination of effective teaching practices.