Eclipse Stars

Astronomy educators and research astronomers receive
professional development to prepare for engaging people
in various Solar Eclipse events

The ASP Eclipse Stars project, funded by National Science Foundation’s Division of Astronomy, began just nine months prior to the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse with the intent to train and support astronomers, K-12 science teachers, and other educators to engage a broad audience in the awe and wonder of totality.

The program reached 218 educators and 69 scientists planning events and engaging people located along the path of totality on April 8, 2024. One program strand, designed to meet the needs of the scientists, introduced research astronomers to successful strategies for engaging public audiences in the solar eclipse, emphasizing a relevant, inclusive, and awe-inspiring outreach experience. The educator strand for school teachers and informal educators focused on the pedagogical aspects of delivering instruction on eclipse science in a formal classroom setting.  Both strands offered an interactive online workshop and access to ASP training videos, astronomy activities, and educational resources, including a toolkit filled with materials and activities for learners to experience the scale of the Sun-Earth-Moon system.  ASP Eclipse Stars engaged almost 95,000 children, students, and people of all ages and backgrounds. 

End of workshop reflections from educators

ASP Eclipse Star Shares His Experience

ASP Eclipse Star, Enrique de Luna, traveled 750 miles with citizens from Guerrero, México to Torreón, Coahuila in México to experience a total eclipse.

I worked in underprivileged communities] with kids, teenagers and adults that haven´t seen a solar eclipse nor understand them, all the skills, resources, interactions with astronomy and educational colleagues got through the ASP training workshops plus all the tools received on the kit, were therefore the key for having a perfect experience, from understanding through experience the solar eclipse, changing their life and mine forever and empowering all the community to break the science barriers and being connected with the nature and others.

On April 8th, we were on the Plaza Mayor in Torreón, Coahuila, a dedicated spot for seeing the solar eclipse in the downtown. We [shared] with dozens of persons our eclipse knowledge and we [allowed all of them] to see the eclipse through the telescope. I don’t even have words to explain how I felt [during totality]. After waiting all my life and sharing the moment with my community, I´m so grateful [for] having the chance of making this project, especially with ASP [making] all of this possible and [making] a long-term dream better than expected.

Translated into Spanish:
Al trabajar con niños, jóvenes y adultos en una comunidad con alto índice de marginación que no han tenido acceso a los diferentes recursos para presenciar un eclipse solar, o tan siquiera entenderlos; todas las habilidades, recursos e interacciones con colegas astrónomos y profesionales en educación obtenidos a través de los talleres de la ASP, aunado a todos los materiales recibidos en el kit, fueron recursos claves para promover experiencias perfectas, desde el entendimiento intelectual hasta experimentar un eclipse solar, cambiando tanto su vida como la mía para siempre y empoderando a toda la comunidad a romper las barreras de la ciencia, estar conectados con la naturaleza y con los demás. 

El 8 de abril, estuvimos en la Plaza Mayor en Torreón, Coahuila; un lugar dedicado para observar la totalidad del eclipse solar en el centro de la ciudad. Compartimos con docenas de personas nuestro conocimiento sobre el eclipse y permitimos que todo mundo observara el eclipse a través de un telescopio. No tengo palabras para explicar lo que sentí durante la totalidad. Después de esperar toda mi vida por este y teniendo la oportunidad de compartirlo con mi comunidad, me encuentro muy agradecido de tener la oportunidad de desarrollar este proyecto, especialmente con la ASP que hizo posible todo esto e hizo un sueño de largo plazo, mejor de lo esperado.

Educators and scientists received training and materials for their eclipse events – here are a few sharing their experience along the path of totality

"The eclipse was amazing. I could see the corona and Baily's Beads. When totality started, our street lights went on. It felt a little bit colder when totality hit. It also turned super dark, and my neighbor thought the world was ending." 
– Benjamin C. - 6th Grade

 
 
 
 

“The best part for me was listening to the students afterwards. I think they had all heard about it so much, they couldn't figure out what the big deal was because it's an event that happens not all the time but over and over. Afterwards, their attitudes were totally different. I had many come up and say they had no idea an eclipse would be that cool”
– Eclipse Stars Educator, Jacqueline Dunn, Prosper, Texas

"Before this session, I didn't understand what the big deal was about the eclipse. I thought it would just get dark. Now I am excited to teach my students and to view it with them!"
– Eclipse Stars Educator