Robotic Telescope Teacher Training

Robotic Telescope
Teacher Training

Montana Learning Center and Montana State University are offering a free, non-credit online course for educators interested in using a state-of-the-art robotic telescope and integrating its image-capturing and research capabilities into their teaching.

The course is open to U.S. high school science teachers and Montana community college or branch campus instructors of physics or astronomy.

Why Apply?

This program gives teachers and their students unprecedented access to a world-class research facility. Educators will learn to operate a robotic observatory and capture astronomical images suitable for classroom projects, from introductory astrophotography to authentic research. The course also prepares teachers to guide students in contributing to publishable scientific studies.

Support & Collaboration

Funding for this course is provided by a NASA grant through the Northwest Earth and Space Sciences Pathways program, and is offered in partnership with:

• Montana State University’s National Teacher Enhancement Network

• Montana Learning Center

What You’ll Learn

Participants will:

• Remotely operate the Learning Center’s 16-inch research-grade Ritchey-Chrétien telescope in New Mexico

• Capture, prepare, and analyze astronomical images

• Evaluate observing programs for classroom use

• Create curriculum for robotic telescope integration

• Use photometric filters to design student research projects

Benefits

• Up to 30 OPI renewal units available

• Upon successful completion, teachers receive a student observatory account for classroom use

• Entirely online, accessible from anywhere

Instructors

• Peter Detterline, Lead Astronomy Instructor, Montana Learning Center

• Ryan Hannahoe, Executive Director, Montana Learning Center

Additional Support

This course is also made possible through the generous donation of telescope time by Mr. Christian Perez  and hosting support from New Mexico Skies Remote Observatories.

2025 Course Dates

📅 October 6 – November 23, 2025
📝 Applications due by September 30, 2025

For more information, contact: Ryan Hannahoe at MontanaLearningCenter@gmail.com