Eclipse Your Friend- Thumb Fun

Explore different types of solar eclipses by using your thumb to “eclipse” a partner’s face.

Shifting Shadows

Participants trace shadows of playground equipment, then visit their tracings a few minutes later to discover how they've changed.

Pocket Solar System

How to Video

Guide 

Using a strip of paper, construct a quick scale model of the distances between the orbits of the planets, the Asteroid Belt, and Pluto as part of the Kuiper Belt. 

NASA UV Beads

Guide/Workbook

Learners experiment with ultraviolet (UV) light-sensitive plastic beads, which are generally white but turn colors when exposed to UV light.

What is the Difference between a Solar Eclipse and a Lunar Eclipse? 

In this activity students will examine NASA data to determine the differences between a solar and lunar eclipse. 

Big Sun, small moon? 

If you’ve ever seen a picture of a solar eclipse, you may have noticed that the Moon comes very close to covering the entire Sun. 

Building a Sizzling Solar Oven 

Patrons construct a solar oven out of a pizza box to cook food with the Sun! This activity comes with step-by-step instructions, solar oven recipes, and an extension to construct a solar still which can purify water. 

DIY Construction Paper Sun Prints 

Use the power of the Sun and objects from nature to create beautiful designs.

NISE Create Your Own Eclipse and Facilitator Guide 

Night Sky Network- Why do eclipse happen? 

Solar Energy Quick Facilitation Guide 

Patrons will be able to see how different colored objects passively absorb sunlight at different rates. It’s easy to set up! 

4H Solar Eclipse Activity- Dimensions of the Sun-Pinhole 

Measure Solar Energy During Eclipse

The Moon casts a shadow on Earth during a total solar eclipse over Europe in this image taken by a French astronaut on the Mir Space Station.

Pinhole Shoe Box Version 

Use a shoebox and other common materials to create a safe way to view the Sun. 

Cereal Box Pinhole Viewer

Use a cereal box and other common materials to create a safe way to view the Sun. 

Make Your Own Sun Clock 

In this activity, patrons construct their own Sun Clock – small enough to keep in their pocket – and explore how to orient their clocks correctly for them to function accurately.