STEAM coach Alyson Callahan went to each of our four elementary schools to teach about and do activities surrounding the solar eclipse that’s happening today, Monday, April 8.

 

 

At PAK, she visited several classes, including Kathryn Dowling and Emily Byrne’s combined third and fourth grade classes, then made her way to Kim White’s second grade class where the students were particularly well-informed about the eclipse.

 

 

In each class, she explained how a solar eclipse happens. The moon’s orbit brings it between the earth and the sun. The darkness we will experience is the moon’s shadow. Even though the sun is so much bigger than both the earth and the moon, distance allows the moon to totally block the sun’s light from reaching the earth. And there we have this solar eclipse! The students were able to model what will be occurring on Monday with flashlights and little cut-out moons and earths.

 

 

Ms. Callahan, in her unofficial NASA garb, also talked all about safety. We must wear special protective eyewear during the eclipse to protect our retinas since our pupils will let in lots of light, since it is dark out. However, the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays will still be there and that can hurt our eyes. We shouldn’t ever look directly at the sun but during the eclipse, these special glasses are vital!

 

 

The students are so excited for the eclipse – as are the teachers and staff! Be safe and enjoy this amazing event!