Teacher Courses
Perimeter Institute's Educational Outreach team has developed a series of short courses for educators.
Working within a renowned theoretical physics research facility, the team has access to many of the world’s top scientists, and decades of experience in science education.
Our train-the-trainer model empowers teachers to learn innovative pedagogical tools as part of our ever-expanding Perimeter Teacher Network.
These short courses contain both asynchronous and virtual synchronous components as outlined in the descriptions below.
Upon completion of the course, including attendance to both virtual synchronous sessions, participants receive a digital badge of completion.
Upcoming teacher courses
Browse our library of courses below to register. If a course isn’t currently open for registration, you may sign up to be notified when it will be offered next. Registration for open courses closes when capacity is reached, or approximately 24 hours before the course opens.
| Course | Course opens | Mandatory synchronous sessions (1.5 hours) |
| Astronomy: Galaxies | July 6 |
Session 1: Tuesday, July 11 @ 11 AM ET Session 2: Thursday, July 13 @ 11 AM ET |
| Teaching Particle Physics | July 19 |
Session 1: Tuesday, July 25 @ 11 AM ET Session 2: Thursday, July 27 @ 11 AM ET |
| Teaching Climate Change | August 9 |
Session 1: Monday, August 14 @ 11 AM ET Session 2: Wednesday, August 16 @ 11 AM ET |
Stars & Exoplanets is an introductory astronomy course that explores how astronomers make measurements and models of these celestial objects. We will explore measurements of stellar brightness, distance, colour, temperature, velocity and mass. We will then examine how these measurements allow us to develop models to understand stellar evolution and exoplanet characteristics.
Main concepts: Stars, stellar evolution, exoplanet detection and characteristics
Expectations: Stars & Exoplanets consists of ~ 4 hours of asynchronous content and two 90-minute synchronous, online sessions on Zoom. The asynchronous component has video lectures, short quizzes and assignments that must be completed before the synchronous component. The synchronous sessions will be interactive and involve small group discussions and activities. Participants must attend and participate in both 1.5 hour synchronous sessions.
The course is designed for teachers without a background in physics and astronomy. Mathematical equations will be shared for those that are interested, but solving mathematical problems is not required.
Galaxies explores the physical characteristics of different galaxies, their dynamics and formation and evolution. Topics include the Milky Way, black holes, active galactic nuclei and dark matter.
Main concepts: Galaxy types, interstellar medium, galaxy dynamics, active galactic nuclei and quasars and dark matter
Expectations: Galaxies consists of ~ 6 hours of asynchronous content and two 90-minute synchronous, online sessions on Zoom. The asynchronous component has video lectures, short quizzes and assignments that must be completed before the synchronous component. The synchronous sessions will be interactive and involve small group discussions and activities. Participants must attend and participate in both synchronous sessions.
A knowledge of Grade 12 physics and mathematics is assumed, and some assignments include mathematical problems.
Climate change is the single greatest challenge facing humanity. Join us as we explore the science behind climate change and our role as teachers in preparing students for an increasingly uncertain future. In the first half of the course we will examine the basic science of climate change, the role of computer modeling, and common misinformation techniques used to cast doubt in society. The second half of the course concentrates on what can be done to adapt to or mitigate the problem. Time will also be spent discussing issues surrounding climate anxiety in our classrooms.
Main concepts: Conservation of energy, heat, weather, carbon cycle, acids and bases
Expectations: Teaching Climate Change consists of ~ 5 hours of asynchronous material and two 90-minute synchronous, online sessions on Zoom. The online sessions build on the material from the asynchronous material so the expectation is that the asynchronous material will be completed before each online session.
The Standard Model of Particle Physics is one of the greatest achievements in modern physics. Join us as we examine the science and technology behind the development of this fantastic scientific model. We will start with a look at early models and how experimental evidence led to better models. We will then proceed to an examination of what is going on currently and what may lie beyond the Standard Model.
Main concepts: Conservation of energy and momentum, Fields, Relativity, Standard Model
Expectations: Teaching Particle Physics consists of ~ 7.5 hours of asynchronous content and two 90-minute synchronous sessions, via zoom. The asynchronous content consists of short videos, activities, and readings. The synchronous content will be Zoom sessions with breakout rooms to maximize interaction. The online sessions build on the material from the asynchronous material so the expectation is that the asynchronous material will be completed before each online session.
Would you like to learn more about the abstract and perplexing world of quantum physics? This course starts with the familiar concepts of classical waves and particles. It then uses the double-slit (or two-slit) experiment to explore the quantum world of electrons and other subatomic particles. This includes discussing the key concepts of the wave nature of matter, wave-particle duality, and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle.
Main concepts: Classical waves & classical particles, wave nature of matter, wave-particle duality, interpretations of quantum physics, uncertainty principle
Expectations: Teaching Wave-Particle Duality consists of ~ 5 hours of asynchronous content and two 90-minute synchronous, online sessions on Zoom. The asynchronous component has video lectures, multiple-choice quizzes, open-ended questions, and assignments that must be completed before the synchronous component. The synchronous sessions will be interactive and involve small group discussions and activities. Participants must attend and participate in both synchronous sessions.
Some familiarity with quantum physics is helpful.
Quantum physics is our best model of the physical universe so far. Join us as we take a deep dive into the quantum world and explore some of its most important ideas and applications. This course uses the results of actual experiments to help build up key quantum ideas of the wave function. It then applies it to construct a full quantum model of the atom. Finally, the course uses the wave function to understand how various quantum experiments lead us to the revolutionary idea of a quantum computer—a completely new type of computer whose basic components are individual quantum particles.
Main concepts: de Broglie relationship, wave functions, quantum model of the atom, orbitals, Schroedinger equation, quantum computers
Expectations: Wave Functions & Quantum Computers consists of ~ 6 hours of asynchronous content and two 90-minute synchronous, online sessions on Zoom. The asynchronous component has video lectures, multiple-choice quizzes, open-ended questions, and assignments that must be completed before the synchronous component. The synchronous sessions will be interactive and involve small group discussions and activities. Participants must attend and participate in both synchronous sessions.
It is recommended that you take Teaching Wave-Particle Duality prior to taking this course. Familiarity with wave-particle duality, the de Broglie relationship, and have some knowledge of the main interpretations of quantum physics.
Digital badges will be awarded to participants who complete all of the asynchronous course material in addition to attending both virtual synchronous sessions.