2026 Fall Modeling Astronomy @ UNO Hybrid Workshop

Explore the universe through the lens of Modeling Instruction in this hybrid online professional development workshop designed for middle school, high school, and introductory college physics and astronomy educators. Participants will engage in the Modeling cycle as learners while exploring research-based instructional strategies, classroom activities, and assessment techniques that promote conceptual understanding and scientific inquiry.

The workshop will meet weekly via Zoom from September 1^st through December 8^th on Tuesday evenings (7-10 PM Eastern, 6-9 PM Central, 5-8 MT, 4-7 PT), providing opportunities for collaboration with teachers from across the country while allowing participants to immediately implement Modeling strategies in their own classrooms.

Workshop participants may choose from multiple professional development options:

• AMTA Workshop Only – Participate in the workshop as a professional learning experience.
• University of the Pacific Graduate (UoP) Credit – Earn graduate credit through AMTA's long-standing partnership with the University of the Pacific. 2 UoP credit hours at a rate of: $79 / credit. Contact engage@modelinginstruction.org
• University of Nebraska Omaha Graduate Credit – Participants may also choose to enroll in PHYS 8320 – Modeling Instruction in Astronomy and earn 3 graduate credits through the University of Nebraska Omaha. This graduate course extends the workshop experience through additional readings, reflective assignments, and curriculum development activities delivered through UNO's Canvas learning management system.
  • UNO offers a reduced Omaha Urban Rate (OUR) to residents of a number of states.
  • Current online graduate tuition rates are:
    • Nebraska Resident: $421/credit
    • Omaha Urban Rate (OUR): $632/credit
    • Non-Resident: $890/credit
  • The OUR rate applies to residents of Colorado, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
  • For our 3-credit course, that works out to approximately:
    • Nebraska Resident: $1,263
    • OUR: $1,896
    • Non-Resident: $2,670
  • Deadline to register for UNO graduate credit is August 28^th – contact Kelly Mallone at malonek@unomaha.edu if interested in this option.

PHYS 8320 is one of the foundational courses in UNO's new Graduate Certificate in Physics Education, an 18-credit program designed to help science teachers earn graduate credits in physics while strengthening their content knowledge and pedagogical skills. The certificate is intended to support teachers seeking Dual Enrollment qualifications while providing meaningful, classroom-focused professional development. Please reach out to Jason Testin, Instructional Coordinator for the UNO Physics department, at jtestin@unomaha.edu to learn more about the UNO Graduate credit option and 18-credit graduate certificate program.

Whether you're new to Modeling Instruction or looking to expand your Astronomy teaching toolkit, this workshop offers an engaging opportunity to learn alongside a national community of science educators.