The Astro-Journeys Summer School 2025, held from 29 June 2025 to 4 July 2025 in Marathon, Greece, brought together educators and science communicators from across Europe for a dynamic five-day programme focused on innovative astronomy education. Organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ project Astro-Journeys, the event marked a key milestone in the project’s mission to co-design personalised, AI-supported learning journeys grounded in the Big Ideas in Astronomy.
Over the course of the week participants:
- Explored the “Big Ideas in Astronomy” framework and its alignment with national curricula, identifying opportunities to integrate astronomy into primary and secondary classrooms.
- Engaged in hands‑on workshops including telescope remote observations, Stellarium simulations and data‑driven inquiry tasks.
- Collaboratively co‑designed personalised learning journeys through guided sessions, culminating in prototype journey plans and implementation strategies tailored to local contexts.
- Shared educational resources, tools and best practices, and established peer networks for ongoing collaboration beyond the Summer School.
Outcomes and Participant Reflections
Participants reported high levels of engagement and enthusiasm. Many noted that the practical componentes such as workshop sessions and group design work were particularly valuable in bridging theory and classroom application. The Summer School strengthened participant confidence in delivering astronomy learning experiences and created momentum for classroom rollout.
What’s Next
The momentum generated during the Summer School will feed directly into the next phases of the Astro‑Journeys project. Participants will test and refine their learning‑journeys within local curricula and share results at upcoming webinars and workshops. We encourage all educators working with astronomy, STEM and informal science education to stay connected and watch for forthcoming opportunities.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants, facilitators and partner institutions who made the week a rewarding and inspiring experience!