The stars (and sun and moon) align for students eager to learn about the solar eclipse
Pin hole cameras, the sun's corona, robots introduced into the curriculum at London elementary school
Monday's solar eclipse was deemed too dangerous for students to be at school across the London area, but many will be equipped on the P.A. day with plenty of information about how to view it and why it's a once-in-a-lifetime event.
CBC London stopped by Cleardale Public School this week where students from all grades are learning about the science and safety of the eclipse that will pass partially over the city, and fully over areas closer to Lake Erie at 3:17 p.m.
What we discovered was a creative approach to astronomy and a whole lot of enthusiasm.
"We're coding a robot that will simulate the eclipse. It will drive around in a circle, then we'll hold up a flashlight to this robot that circles around the track and we can see the simulation," said Grade 6 student Aron Matz, describing his class project.
WATCH: Students build a robotic model to show the eclipse
"I'm pretty excited. I don't remember the one in 2017 but I hope to see this one in-depth this year," Matz said.
This eclipse follows one in the United States in 2017, but people in southwestern Ontario haven't seen one since 1925 when it passed through Toronto that year.
While total solar eclipses happen, on average, once every 18 months, usually only about one per cent of the Earth's surface experiences totality. Teachers at Cleardale have taken full advantage of this unique opportunity.
"We've got pinhole cameras that the grade three students made. We have the Lego robot. And we have the micro bits. It's a little motherboard that the grade 8 students have coded to measure light levels corresponding to the level of sound it puts out," said teacher-librarian Andrew Bell.
Bell said the STEM team from the Thames Valley District School Board has helped with some of the high-tech teaching, but he said all of the teachers have been resourceful in making the most of the event for their students.
The work has clearly paid off. Hugo Rodriguez, 8, is more than happy to explain what he knows about the eclipse.
"The sun is going to hit the moon and cast a shadow over North America. And it's going to go from the United States to Canada. And what I know is that London isn't in the path, and so we're only going to get a partial eclipse," Rodriguez said.
"Me and my family are looking forward to looking at the sun's corona," said another grade three student.
What is the sun's corona, you ask?
"The sun's corona is plasma that has cooled down from where it would be closer to the sun."
Younger students also have a warning about what they call "scary stuff" about the eclipse.
"If you look at it, you can get permanent eye things!" said Rodriguez sporting a pair of certified glasses that he plans to wear on Monday.
All students within the London region have the day off on Monday, with the school board citing concerns about student safety and the risks around staring into the sun.
