Applications open for new e-Technology Lab secondary teacher workshops

Applicants are kindly requested to note that, depending on the evolution of the corona virus situation in Europe, and in line with the recommendations of ESA's Director General on travel restrictions for health and safety reasons, the ESA Education Office reserves the right to cancel a teachers' workshop, to limit potential exposure of participants or employees to the virus. In case of cancellation, applicants or selected participants will be notified individually.

The three technology and robotics workshops for secondary school teachers will take place on 1-3 April, 6-8 May and 3-5 June. Interested teachers can chose to apply to one of the three workshops only.

During the 2.5-day workshops, teachers will learn how to use space robotics as well as automation (Arduino) in the context of curricular subjects such as physics and technology, and will discover and master new tools and inquiry-based practices for STEM teaching and learning at school.

The number of available places is limited, so apply now so as not to miss this opportunity!

What to expect
During the workshops, teachers will firstly discover the Arduino tool. Electricity, the use of environmental sensors, data collection, and computer programming will be investigated during this phase. Teachers will then have the task of designing and building a rover to perform a ‘Mission to Mars’ with specific discovery objectives.

Inspired by real ESA space missions, teachers will learn about the different kinds of expertise and skills necessary to make a space project successful.

Who can apply?
The workshops are open to secondary school teachers of STEM-related subjects residing and working within any ESA Member State. Teachers from Canada and Slovenia may also apply, due to specific agreements with ESA. Priority will be given to teachers who have never attended any ESA e-technology lab workshop before.

How and when to apply
Teachers wishing to participate should fill in the relevant application form.

The deadlines to submit applications are:

• 28 February 2020 for the workshop taking place from 1-3 April 2020.  
  Applicants will be notified on 3 March 2020, whether they are successful or not.

Click here to apply for this workshop.

• 13 March 2020 for the workshop taking place from 6-8 May 2020.  
  Applicants will be notified on 17 March 2020, whether they are successful or not.

Click here to apply for this workshop.

• 6 April 2020 for the workshop taking place from 3-5 June 2020.  
  Applicants will be notified on 8 April 2020, whether they are successful or not.

Click here to apply for this workshop. 

Note: ESA reserves the right to close the application window earlier than the given deadline if a sufficient number of quality applications are received. In such case, an announcement will be posted on the ESA Education Facebook page.

Workshop details
The workshops will take place at the ESA Education Training Centre at ESEC-Galaxia, located in Transinne, Belgium. Further practical details will be communicated directly to the selected participants. The working language of the workshop will be English. Attendance to the entire workshop is mandatory. 

Sponsorship and costs
Selected teachers should arrange their travel from their departure point in an ESA Member or Associate State to the location of the training course, and back to their original departure point. Travel expenses will be covered by ESA up to a maximum of 200€ per teacher. These expenses will be reimbursed to the teacher’s bank account after the event, upon delivery of valid, original receipts.

For the duration of the workshop, accommodation, catering, and local transportation will be organised, booked, and paid by ESA’s Education Office. Teachers will be sharing hotel rooms.

Teachers are responsible for their own arrangements for passports, visas, and any additional insurance required.  

If you have any questions, please email etechnologylab@esa.int