The Great Eclipse

Thanks to Patty Wilder for sharing an interesting article from the September 22, 1922 issue of the East Oregonian Round-Up about an eclipse from that year.  Fascinating to see how attitudes have changed. (The article refers to the "unpleasantness of a dark day.")  The 1922 ads are pretty great too. Jamie Owen sent out this great video about the history of eclipses' effect on the evolution of scientific thought.  Well worth the six minutes.  And finally, Noel Mainland sent me a funny song about the definition of STEM.  I put that one on the homepage.  Keep 'em coming!

Like most schools, OGE has gone eclipse CRAZY.  Our kids are trying on glasses, reading books, watching videos, calculating distances, and learning all about the great mass of incandescent gas in the sky.. (Actually it's more of a "miasma of incandescent plasma.")  Here's how things are looking for Monday, May 21 (prepared by STEM Coordinator Kendall Xides and sent as an E-blast to parents):

OGEclipse!
All students that will be participating in outdoor eclipse activities including viewing the eclipse need to return a Dekalb County permission slip.  Permission slips were sent home Tuesday. Students who do not have permission will gather in the cafeteria to watch the live feed from Fernbank Science Center.

Students viewing the eclipse with their class will be using verified eclipse glasses from American Paper Optics.

Teachers will be instructing children on how to use the eclipse glasses for safe viewing, but parents are encouraged to review safety procedures for viewing the eclipse with their child.  Many videos are available, including this one from The American Astronomical Society.  Looking at the sun without eclipse viewers can cause serious damage. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTCkC5ANlJg)

Students will not be outside for the entirety of the eclipse.  The partial eclipse begins at 1:06pm. Some classes will participate in observations and activities at different times during the partial eclipse.  All students with permission slips will begin going outside with their class at 2:15pm to observe the maximum eclipse at 2:36pm, and then return to their classrooms. 3rd-5th graders will be working on the National Park Service's Eclipse Explorer Junior Ranger.

Check-out:
Parents wishing to check their child out for the eclipse need to do so by 12:30pm.  This will be an unusual day because of delayed dismissal, and parking will be limited as buses will be on campus.  If you wish to experience the eclipse with your child, please plan to check-out your student before 12:30pm.

Viewing Location:
Kindergarten - courtyard
1st Grade - fire lane
2nd, 3rd, 5th - field by playground
4th grade - side lot by cafeteria

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

This is the live feed on the day of the eclipse from NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/eclipselive

This is the live feed from Fernbank Science Center's telescope:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=fxbS6YazrE4

The eclipse glasses will be hand delivered today.  Please review Mrs. Maughborne's email on safety.  Any pair of glasses that is scratched or damaged should not be used.

All classes will receive a classroom set of an observation activity that can be used during the eclipse.  There is a writing extension at the bottom of the activity.

3rd-5th grade classes will also receive a classroom set of the National Park's Junior Ranger Eclipse Explorer book that has a variety of eclipse activities.

​Have a great Eclipse Day no matter where you are and don't forget your eye protection!