Summer school on astronomical instrumentation for undergraduates and graduate students
Congratulations to the 30 Participants who attended AstroTech 2024. Click to see the Biographies of the 2024 cohort
AstroTech 2024 was held at University of California, Berkeley
Program dates: July 9-13, 2024
The AstroTech Summer School Experience
AstroTech Summer School is five full days dedicated to building community while learning about and building instruments.
AstroTech summer school participants:
- Experience hands-on instruction on astronomy and optics related content
- Develop specialized skills in an interest area of their choosing: optomechanics, software design, calibration hardware, detectors, or electronics.
- Work in teams to design and build a spectrograph with coaching from instructors
- Learn and practice inclusive teamwork skills
- Network with early career professionals and experienced faculty in instrumentation
- Discuss career opportunities in instrumentation with representatives from industry and government
- Have an amazing time building friendships that last beyond AstroTech summer school
- Become part of an inclusive, enduring STEM community with opportunities to further participation post summer school at events like SPIE and AAS.
- Come back in increasing leadership roles, and even as an instructor.
Program Cost, Travel and Lodging
AstroTech is funded by a generous grant from the Heising-Simons Foundation, allowing us to offer it for FREE to all accepted participants.
Who Should Apply
We invite applications from undergraduates and graduate students working in the fields of students in any of the fields composing the astronomy instrumentation workforce: astronomy, engineering, physics, or computer science. The week-long summer school is designed for upper-level undergraduates (year 3+ in the current fall term or recently completed undergraduate degree) and early graduate students (masters or PhD students in year 1 or 2 of their program).
A core goal of AstroTech is to broaden participation in the instrumentation community. We welcome and encourage all applicants. We strive to help reverse the underrepresentation of people of color, women and gender minorities, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups in astronomy instrumentation. We especially encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Applicants from all backgrounds should be committed to AstroTech goals of having an interest in making the field of instrumentation more equitable and inclusive.
To be eligible for the summer school, applicants must be studying or working in the United States (including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories). U.S. citizenship is not required. For more information on selection criteria, see the “Application” section of our How to Apply page.
Returning Participants
We want to invite all AstroTech Summer School alumni interested in a career in instrumentation to apply to return to the summer school in a returner role. The returner role is a wonderful opportunity for alumni to return to AstroTech summer school to deepen their understanding and further develop skills in instrumentation. It is a chance to reconnect with the AstroTech community and build new relationships. Returning students are valuable members of the AstroTech community and play a key role in the summer school experience. Click to read more about the AstroTech returning experience.
“I returned to AstroTech this year to solidify my interest in astronomical instrumentation before starting an M.S. program this fall with a focus in optical instrumentation. Working on the instrument team allowed me to imagine what possible specialist role I might have on an instrumentation project outside of AstroTech.”
How to Apply
For information on how to apply and to apply to AstroTech, please visit: How to Apply.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact astrotech@ucsc.edu
Key Dates
Fall 2023: Application open
February 12, 2024: Application deadline
Late March 2024: Applicants notified of acceptance
July 9-13, 2024: Summer School at UC Berkeley
Participating Organizations
AstroTech participants will have an opportunity to network with the broader astronomical instrumentation community.
To receive program updates
Join the ASTROTech Email list
ISEE
Led by the Institute for Scientist & Engineer Educators (ISEE) at University of California Observatories
https://isee.ucsc.edu
Contact Us
Individuals with questions about AstroTech should contact: astrotech@ucsc.edu