Teachers also survey astronomy software and Internet sites and learn how to conduct lessons using all these resources. The lab includes various mini-exhibits and computer workstations. It also has a stock of equipment and supplies that make it an ideal classroom for teaching astronomy. Once teachers complete the training, they are certified to use the rental kit in their own classrooms. Instead of just passively chaperoning their students on a visit to the museum, they have the skill and confidence to teach within the Hall of Science.
Experienced teachers gain science content background through models of good teaching strategies.
Instructional teams of three were responsible for the planning and delivery of these 30-hour sessions. One was a university professor who was the content expert. The second was a science resource teacher who knew both what is appropriate for children at that grade level as well as the curriculum. The third was a volunteer scientist from HP or Stanford Linear Accelerator. The scientist's role was to bring real world connections to the topic and arrange for a content-related field trip that would enhance the learning.