Eclipse Activities for Classrooms and Schools

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Hey? Did you know there is going to be an eclipse on Monday, August 21st? If you don't, where have you been, under a moon rock?  There are MANY things to do during an eclipse. However, you need to prepare!
Prepare to View the Eclipse:
To view an eclipse safely, you must have proper eye protection. The eclipse glasses MUST have the following code printed on them: ISO 12312-2. Here is an information pic for you to review for proper eye protection:


(picture source: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/glasses.png)

 To wear your glasses properly:
1. Go outside.
2. Stand with sun to your back.
3. Close your eyes.
4. Put your eclipse glasses on.
5. Open your eyes
6. Slowly turn around until you see the sun.
7. Leave glasses on until you are not looking at the eclipse/sun anymore.
8. Then move your head downward.
9. Turn around.
10. Close your eyes.
11. Take your glasses off.
12. Slowly open your eyes and slowly look up AWAY from the sun.
Prepare students to observe other things when viewing the eclipse:
Observations to make during the eclipse:

  • Listen to nature as it gets darker. What do you hear?
  • What are insects doing as it gets darker? lighter?
  • How does the temperature change?
  • What are birds (other animals) doing as it gets darker? lighter?
  • Look at shadows under trees. What do you see? (You will see the eclipse through holes in the leaves in trees.)  
  • Look at shadows? Do you see bands, or shadow "dancing"? (This is from the many angles of light coming from the sun AROUND the moon as it is passing in front of the sun. Objects on earth are projecting shadows in many directions from the different angles of light coming from around the moon. You may see this easily among a white background, such as on a car or white poster board.)
  • A good video to watch before the eclipse to prepare participants: http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/what-should-you-look-for-during-the-total-solar-eclipse/article_76cfa8a5-f9d8-518f-9788-1a45094a0e6b.html



 Plan an Eclipse party!  There are many fun eclipse-themed treats you can find:

  • Starbursts
  • Milky Ways
  • Star Crunch
  • Cosmic Brownies
  • Moon Pies 
  • Orbit Gum
  • Eclipse Gum
  • Sunkist Soda
  • SunDrop Soda
  • Sunny Delight Drink
  • Sun Chips
  • Star Fruit (Carambola)
  • This list could go on and on!


Prepare to make the viewing fun:


Prepare homemade/schoolmade viewers:


 Prepare to make the viewing safe:
Treat this school event like a field trip. 

 First, contact each child's parent to see if they are even attending school that day! Then you will know exactly how many children will be at school.

 Second, invite parents. Assign 2-3 students to each adult if possible, especially the younger students.

Third, prep parents.

 Fourth, review safe viewing practices.

 Fifth, HAVE FUN!

Prepare the students with KNOWLEDGE  in the classroom before the eclipse:

 Practice putting special glasses on before the day!

 Create Eclipses in the Classroom:
http://www.unawe.org/activity/eu-unawe1302/

Explore Eclipse Activities for all grade levels:
http://www.eclipse.aaq.org.au/index.php/classroom-activities

Make a viewer out of a box - Quick and easy!https://www.facebook.com/theboyscoutsofamerica/videos/1444268815655017/?hc_ref=ARSSPcbLxX7Q0tMOE551kATjAIy3egZLt5agEBwNDdZI6mFiYKLL85exqBIn6Lvi_A4&pnref=story

 Read Books in the classroom, if you can find them:

 Eddie's Eclipse
(Pattonville schools received some copies. Contact your principal if you haven't seen one yet.)

When the Sun Goes Dark
(Main Street Books in Historic St. Charles had copies a week ago and they give 20% off to educators.)

Eclipses

The Big Eclipse

Sun Painters: Eclipse of the Navajo Sun

Looking Up: The Science of Stargazing
Prepare Keepsakes - 
I am SURE I will add more throughout the week!!!
Sources:
http://astromaven.blogspot.com/2017/06/weird-things-happen-with-total-solar_72.html?m=1

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