Italian Teacher Programme Galileo
Italian Teacher Programme Galileo
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The Italian Teacher Programme Galileo (ITP Galileo) is an international training programme for Italian secondary school STEM teachers. The initiative connects contemporary astrophysics research with classroom practice through lectures by leading scientists, hands-on educational activities, and direct exposure to world-class astronomical facilities in the Canary Islands. The programme is organised by INAF (Italian National Institute for Astrophysics) and the Fundación Galileo Galilei (FGG-INAF) in collaboration with ITP CERN, with educational activities coordinated by the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education Center Italy (I-OAE).
The programme combines lectures on modern astrophysics with practical workshops designed for classroom use. Topics include exoplanets, black holes, cosmology, and astrophysical technologies, explored through inquiry-based learning activities that teachers can adapt for their students. Participants also visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory in La Palma, where they explore major telescopes and experience astronomical observations in one of the world’s leading observing sites.
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education Center Italy contributes to the programme through the design and delivery of hands-on educational workshops based on inquiry-based learning approaches. Activities developed within the programme simulate authentic scientific practices, engaging teachers in data analysis, experimental setups, and problem-solving strategies that can be transferred to school contexts. Some of these activities are developed in collaboration with EduINAF and contribute to the creation of open educational resources for the astronomy education community.
The programme was first launched in 2024, involving 20 selected Italian secondary school teachers, and expanded in 2025 with 30 participants. Each edition combines scientific lectures, educational workshops, and collaborative activities designed to strengthen the connection between astronomy research and school education.
2025 edition
2025 edition
The second edition of ITP Galileo was held in La Palma (Canary Islands) from 19 to 24 October 2025, involving 30 Italian STEM teachers selected at the national level.
OAE Center Italy contributed to the design and implementation of inquiry-based workshops connecting astronomy, physics, data analysis, and coding. One of the key activities, “Hunting for Exoplanets with Arduino,” allowed teachers to simulate the transit method using accessible technology, analyse light-curve data, and discuss classroom applications. Participants also engaged in data-driven activities to estimate the mass of the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. The programme included a visit to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, with guided tours of major telescopes and night-sky observations.
Official page: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1524408/
2024 edition
2024 edition
The first edition of the programme took place in La Palma from 3 to 8 November 2024, involving 20 selected Italian secondary school teachers. The programme combined lectures by INAF researchers on black holes, cosmology, cosmic rays, and exoplanets with practical workshops coordinated by OAE Center Italy, in collaboration with EduINAF.
Hands-on activities focused on classroom-ready resources, including simulations of exoplanet transits, analysis of astronomical images to estimate the mass of the Milky Way’s central black hole, and educational activities developed by EduINAF and Play INAF.
Official page: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1395310/
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