Authentic Astronomical Research as Science Teacher Professional Development

In the summer of 2019, four science teachers, members of the EXES Teacher Affiliate program of the University of Texas at Austin, participated in a week-long session at McDonald Observatory, Ft. Davis, Texas. The purpose of this research was two-fold: to give teachers the experience of collecting data using the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope and to use that experience to create new curricula for the classroom. The data collection and observations were performed by a small group of cohort members. An overview of this project will be given, highlighting initial student and teacher impacts, and plans for next steps which will include bringing the remaining cohort members into the process of using the data to build curricular materials. Some preliminary materials will be shared.