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.

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.

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. 

​Contact Us

Individuals with questions about AstroTech should contact: astrotech@ucsc.edu