Solar Eclipse 2017

On August 21, 2017, North Texas will experience a solar eclipse. We are on the "80% line", meaning 80% of the sun will be covered. It will occur between 11:40 am and 2:39 pm with the peak at 1:09 pm. UNT shared with us a really awesome pinhole viewer that we could 3D print. Unfortunately, we couldn't print everyone one (it takes 2 1/2 hours to complete one!). We were able to print a pinhole viewer for every teacher K-5 and Science teachers 6-12. Remember if you Tweet anything about the eclipse to not only use the #eclipse2017 hashtag but also our #WeAreSanger!

If you would like to create your own, all you need to view the sun is a small pinhole, that you can poke into an index card or a piece of card stock. Punch a hole in the card, and hold up in the air. Catch its shadow on another card. The light spot you see in the middle of the card is an image of the sun. You are seeing an actual projection of the sun. It is similar to how when you look at a projector bulb it appears very bright, but you can see an image when you see it land on a screen. The same thing is happening here. You may notice that the eclipse appears to be rotated 180 degrees. This is an effect that occurs when the light traveling from the sun passes through a pinhole. Just remember to keep your back to the sun as you are projecting it on the white surface. You can also do this same procedure with the 3D printed viewers.

As part of a project in their technology class last year, some 7th and 8th grade students (current 8th and 9th graders) created materials teachers could use to show their student about the eclipse. Don't get me wrong, these are not perfect, but there were some that would at least get most teachers a good start. Note the importance they stress on not looking at the eclipse directly. Because we are sharing materials created by Sanger ISD students, we have chosen to require a Sanger ISD log in.

Solar Eclipse Assignment Link - Google Slides

Who, What, Where, When, Why and How The Solar Eclipse Happens Link - Google Slides

List of Resources Link - Google Doc

Solar Eclipse Link - Google Slides

Dr. Knezek at UNT has also been sharing materials with us. His group also created the 3D pinhole viewers we were able to print for many of you. He began working with a group of current 7th graders last year and has provided SMS with 250 viewers! He is also asking that we come up with questions for the NASA Scientists. There are two ways to get in touch and ask your questions:

1. The NASA Edge Twitter account - https://twitter.com/nasa_edge

2. The NASA Edge Facebook account - https://www.facebook.com/nasaedgefan/

Their resources can be found on this linked pdf.

Finally, we found some sources for you as well.

Two Eclipses and 6 More Can't Miss Sky Events in August link - be sure to scroll down to see the solar eclipse information - there are some great videos on here for all ages.

Build A Solar Eclipse Viewer link - this has so much more than how to build a viewer; it includes a full lesson with formative assessment material.

NASA Eclipse Kit link - tons of resources available for all grade levels

Kahoot Quiz Link - here is one they shared on Twitter

Remember that we are here to assist you in any way we can. We will be out and about in the district to record this awesome event. I also want to give a special thanks to Nicki Nelson for making as many of the Pin Hole Viewers as possible! We wouldn't have as many as we did without her!