Lucerne Valley Virtual Academy students, teachers and some family members watch as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. Video screenshot by Peter Day
The Sun made a rare spectacular appearance for Lucerne Valley Virtual Academy students who ventured out of their classroom to study the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024.
“Today we have a very exciting day in history actually because we won’t see another solar eclipse until these kids are in high school,” said Virtual Academy teacher Mary Eller.
Each student, and parents on hand, were each given NASA-approved sunglasses to safely view the solar eclipse in which the Moon passed between the Earth and the Sun. The event was visible across North America and dubbed the Great North American Eclipse with the path of totality gradually traveling from the center of the U.S. eastward. Lucerne Valley eclipse observers saw a partial eclipse of the sun.
“Every 20 minutes we take a look at it and we see how the solar eclipse is moving — how the moon is moving in front of the sun,” Mrs. Eller said. “The kids will actually be creating a data sheet just like scientists would when they do observations.”
The students also were given several eclipse study aids — and more.
“They all end up with an earth ball and a little moon so when they are at home they can create a little solar eclipse by creating a shadow from the sun onto their earth ball,” she said. “Everything we have today has to do with solar eclipse. They kids are doing Saturn ring tosses, launching rockets, eating snacks that look like solar eclipses, so all things to help at that science stay in their head.”
Virtual Academy teacher Mary Eller says the Solar Eclipse lesson includes several training aids for students to take home.
The Solar Eclipse from the vantage of the LVUSD District Offices. Photo by Marina Savchenko
Parents made special Solar Eclipse goodies for attendees to enjoy.
Students in the Lucerne Valley Virtual Academy were treated to a special event on April 8, 2024. They ventured outdoors for an in-person lesson on the Solar Eclipse. Students wearing NASA-approved sunglasses watched in awe as the moon traveled between the Earth and the Sun.