For Educators
Are you a science educator or an administrator interested in science-related professional development?
LIGO believes that investing in teachers can significantly increase student achievement and opportunities for success in all areas.
- International Physics and Astronomy Teacher Program - Want to learn more about gravitational waves, and collaborate with other teachers from around the world? Apply for our annual IPA program at LIGO Hanford Observatory!
- Elementary Teacher Waves Workshop - Deepen your content knowledge and learn about hands-on ways to teach light, sound, energy, and other waves from 1st-5th grade!
- Other Teacher Professional Development Opportunities - Visit this page to learn about the teacher professional development programs offered through each of our two observatories.
- LIGO Teacher Make and Take Workshop April 28th from 4pm-6pm -Join us for a night of education, collaboration, and creativity as we make fun science demos and activities for your students! Spots are limited due to the amount and cost of materials for each participant. If you have to cancel, please email Maggie Jensen at [email protected] as soon as possible so we can give your spot to someone on the waitlist.
Register using this link: https://forms.gle/VCDEAVE6d4PYC3xA8
Check out our other educational resources below.
- Classroom Activities - All sorts of activities you can bring to your classroom that concentrate on LIGO, or concepts related to LIGO (such as, waves).
- Field Trips - Want to take a school field trip to LIGO? Click on this link to book a field trip to one of our two observatories.
- Try This at Home - Here are some LIGO related activities you can try at home!
- Ask a LIGO-ite - Do you have a question that's not answered anywhere else on our site? Click here to ask a question of a real LIGO scientist!
- Bring LIGO to Your Classroom - If you can't bring your class to LIGO, then we may be able to bring a LIGO educator to you. Click here to learn more.
- Recommended Reading and Video - Some of our favorite resources related to the science behind LIGO.
- Detection Education Resources - Education materials related to the detection of gravitational waves by LIGO:
- Detection science summaries: Short overviews of LIGO detections tailored to a casual reader
- LIGO Educator's Guide (a 24-page introductory guide to LIGO and gravitational waves, with 2 simple activities suitable for classroom use)
