Chicago-Area Schools Preparing Special Eclipse Activities
By Trina Orlando •
When the solar eclipse occurs next week, area schools will be utilizing a variety of methods to maximize the experience for students. NBC 5’s Trina Orlando has their stories.
Monday’s solar eclipse is being billed as an incredible celestial event, and area schools are using a variety of tactics to ensure that it will be a learning experience for their students.
When the eclipse occurs Monday, Marian Catholic High School administrator Jennifer Clifford will bring a group of nearly 250 students to southern Illinois to see the eclipse in person, as the moon will completely block the sun for nearly three whole minutes in the southern portion of the state.
“It’s overwhelming,” she said. “We thought 100 would be great, but here we are with 246 (students) and we are amazed.”
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan via Getty Images
n this handout image provided by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and transmitted with the help of NICT and JAXA, the solar eclipse is seen on July 22, 2009 in Iwojima Island, Tokyo, Japan. The longest total eclipse of the sun of this century triggered tourist fever in Asia as astronomy enthusiasts from home and abroad flocked to watch the event The eclipse was visible from within a narrow corridor that begins in India and crosses through Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. (Photo by National Astronomical Observatory of Japan via Getty Images)
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan via Getty Images
1.The total solar eclipse will be visible on Monday, Aug. 21.
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2. According to NASA, the total eclipse will begin at 10:16 a.m. PDT. It will then cross through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North and South Carolina over the course of an hour and a half.
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3. According to Southern Illinois University, the total eclipse will reach its point of greatest duration a few miles from Carbondale.
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4. The total eclipse will occur at 1:21 p.m. CST over Carbondale.
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5. NASA recommends taking precaution when viewing the eclipse by wearing special "eclipse glasses" or only glancing for brief time periods. However, the total phase (and only the total phase) of an eclipse can should be viewed without filters. It is important to understand when to take off and put on your glasses.
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6. The next total solar eclipse is not until 2024.
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7. According to SIU, the sun will be completely blocked during the total eclipse. It will be dark enough for street lights to turn on and the temperature to drop.
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8. The partial eclipse will be visible anywhere in North America. In order to see the total eclipse, the viewing location must to be in the path of the eclipse.
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9. NASA defines a solar eclipse as the occurrence of the moon blocking any part of the sun.
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10. The last total solar eclipse occurred in 1979.
Other schools that aren’t making the long trip south will still find unique ways to experience the eclipse, as it will feature nearly 90 percent totality in the northern part of Illinois.
At James B. Conant High School, some students will watch the eclipse from the football stadium. At Riverside Brookfield, science teachers are planning a wide variety of eclipse-related activities for Monday.
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Choose Chicago
This free eclipse block party, hosted by Adler Planetarium, will feature outdoor activities including hands-on science. All guests will get free solar safe viewing glasses while supplies last.
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From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Chicago Botanic Garden will host a solar eclipse viewing event. Beginning at 10 a.m. eclipse glasses will be passed out, one pair per family while supplies last. Blankets and folding chairs are permitted for this viewing event.
Choose Chicago/Clayton Hauck
Visit the 360 Chicago observation deck on the 94th floor of the John Hancock for a 360 degree view of the eclipse. Guests will receive viewing glasses. “Space-themed” live music will be provided by Mode Events DJs. This event is $8 and tickets are available for purchase online.
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Begging Aug. 14, all Chicago Public Library locations will provide free solar eclipse glasses. On Monday, the day of the eclipse, participating library locations will host eclipse viewing parties that include solar-themed activities.
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The Mystic Blue boat, Seadog, Odyssey and Shoreline cruises are all hosting viewing events for the eclipse.
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Form 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Intention Beads will host a viewing event at the Evanston Beachfront. This event will be located at 1631 Sheridan Rd. Tickets are $30.
Michelle Miner
Twenty parks across Chicago will host free viewings. Some of the parks include Maggie Daley Park, Jackson Park, Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park and Portage Park.
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The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools will allow students to view the solar eclipse during the opening day of school. The participating schools include St. Hilary School, St. Gabriel School, St. Maria Goretti School, Regina Dominican High School and Marian Catholic High School.
Other schools will stick to livestreaming the event, including elementary and middle schools in the Oswego area.
"We wish to safely engage our students in this historic event by providing teachers with education resources to incorporate the solar eclipse into their lessons,” a letter to parents read.
