Teachers' Gathering for Astrobiology in Christchurch
In Canterbury, New Zealand, on September 25, 2025, educators from Otautahi and beyond are invited to attend a one-day event at the Air Force Museum in Christchurch, as part of the Christchurch Teachers' Astrobiology Day 1. This event, which is free for teachers, marks the 10th anniversary of astrobiology in Aotearoa.
The Christchurch Teachers' Astrobiology Day offers a unique opportunity for educators to engage with current astrobiology research and education, as well as to gain early access to a new portable astrobiology exhibition designed specifically for schools [2]. The event is organised by SpacewardBound.NZ, with support from the U.S. Embassy NZ and the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
The day is packed with educator-focused workshops, Q&A sessions with international experts, and networking opportunities with like-minded science educators. The event features presentations and professional development sessions, as well as citizen science projects that can be used in classrooms, such as Planet Hunters, Agent Exoplanet, Globe at Night, AI4Mars, Planet Four, and Loss of the night.
The event also includes collaborations with New Zealand scientists, engineers, and mātauranga experts, with a webinar titled "Aotearoa and space" available to discover resources designed to engage and grow New Zealand students' interest in space. The astronomy topic offered by the Hub includes articles and activities on various subjects, such as space junk, launching satellites, navigating by the stars, and the modern-day star compass (kāpehu whetū).
While specific details about the speakers have not been provided in the available search results, the event promises to feature speakers from NASA JPL, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS), and Haritina Mogoșanu. Additionally, examples of resources in the webinar include a discussion with Dr Pauline Harris about the interface of science and mātauranga Māori, and the work of Sarah Kessans at the University of Canterbury using a CubeSat to better grow protein crystals in microgravity.
In summary, the Christchurch Teachers' Astrobiology Day is a must-attend event for primary and secondary school educators, Earth and Space Science, Biology, Physics teachers, and teachers interested in cross-curricular science and indigenous perspectives. To learn more about the event and to register, please visit the official website: https://astrobiology.nz/event/from-aotearoa-to-the-origins-of-life-christchurch-teachers-astrobiology-day-2.
| Detail | Description | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Event Name | Christchurch Teachers' Astrobiology Day | | Date | September 25, 2025 | | Location | Air Force Museum, Canterbury, New Zealand | | Cost | Free for teachers | | Purpose | Celebrate 10 years of astrobiology in New Zealand; provide educational resources and early access to a travelling exhibition | | Speakers | Not specified in available information |
- Educators attending the Christchurch Teachers' Astrobiology Day can expect to engage with the latest astrobiology research, gain access to a new portable astrobiology exhibition for schools, and participate in educator-focused workshops, Q&A sessions with international experts, and networking opportunities.
- To grow students' interest in space and further their education in science, the Christchurch Teachers' Astrobiology Day features collaborations with New Zealand scientists, engineers, and mātauranga experts, citizen science projects like Planet Hunters and AI4Mars, and webinars offering resources such as a discussion with Dr Pauline Harris about the interface of science and mātauranga Māori.
