Interested in Astronomy Education Research? Consider Participating in PEER!

Welcome to the AAS Education Committee Blog! Our blog features posts from astronomers and educators in the extended AAS community, curated by the AAS Education Committee. Subscribe here to receive future posts and other astronomy education news directly into your inbox every two weeks; also follow us on Twitter. We welcome feedback and topic suggestions, as well as guest article submissions! — AAS Education Committee

Are you an astronomer who is interested in deepening your engagement with education research? Whether you are completely new to education research, or if you are an already active astronomy education researcher seeking to grow your network and expertise, the Professional Development for Emerging Education Researchers (PEER) Institute can support you in your scholarship.

The AAS Education Committee is pleased to share the following PEER opportunities with the astronomy community: an online Virtual Gateway event on 11 March and an in-person PEER Field School in Rochester, New York, 1-7 August (application deadline is 15 March). The AAS Education Committee is pleased to partner with PEER to offer registration waivers for the in-person Field School to a limited number of AAS members — if this interests you, please fill out this form!

PEER helps faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and independent scholars get started in education research. For many participants, PEER is their first research project in education. Other participants are stretching into a new theory or methodology, or re-engaging with research after a hiatus. Everyone has expertise to contribute, and everyone has skills to learn and refine. Learn more about PEER at their website. 

Please consider joining for either or both of the following activities:

PEER Virtual Gateway (free!)
Monday, 11 March, 1:00–2:30 pm ET

Registration is now open for a PEER Virtual Gateway workshop for emerging education researchers. PEER supports emerging education researchers in developing their research interests into concrete questions, developing short- and long-term research plans, building community with other education researchers, and making progress on advancing projects to publication. Whether you’re just getting started, looking to stretch into new projects or methodologies, or seeking community and support around education research, we’re happy to have you. For more information on the gateway workshop, visit the web page or email Dr. Eleanor Sayre.

PEER Field School: Rochester, New York
1–7 August. Applications are due 15 March! 

Join PEER in Rochester from 1 August to 7 August for an in-person Field School. The AAS Education Committee is pleased to partner with PEER to offer registration waivers for the in-person Field School to a limited number of AAS members — if this interests you, please fill out this form to request a registration waiver!

PEER is designed for emerging education researchers interested in expanding their theoretical or methodological expertise. Through peer and near-peer exchange, PEER helps faculty, postdocs, and graduate students through field schools, intensive workshops, research projects, mentoring, and community involvement. In intro field schools, we seek scholars who are familiar with independent research and want to expand their methodological repertoire. In focused field schools, we seek scholars who are familiar with PEER and ready to deepen their practice in a particular methodology. Learn more and apply online.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Tom Rice, AAS Education & Mentoring Specialist, at [email protected].