  One of the most regular activities of amateur clubs is scientific outreach, a
paramount channel to disseminate scientific results. It is typically performed
through talks given by both experts (professional astronomers) and non-experts
to a diverse audience, including amateur astronomers. However, this is a rather
passive, one-way, approach. The advance of technology has provided all the
tools that can help the audience/amateurs to become more active in the
scientific output. What is often missing is the proper guidance. To address
that within the Greek amateur community the Hellenic Amateur Astronomy
Association materialized a training program (free-of-charge and open-accessed)
to develop scientific thought and the practical capabilities for amateurs to
produce valuable results. The program ran from November 2014 to May 2015
focusing each session (month) to: the Sun, variable stars, comets, planets,
artificial satellites, meteors. A professional and/or an experienced amateur
astronomer was leading each session consisting of a theoretical part
(highlights of the field, necessary observational techniques) and a hands-on
part (observations and data analysis). At least 50 unique participants gained
significant experience by following parts or the complete program.
