Kecoughtan High School Science Teacher Educates Visitors on the Solar Eclipse

Kecoughtan High School science teacher Sally Lewis gave up a day of her spring break to conduct a solar eclipse outreach at Bluebird Gap Farm on Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to educate visitors on the science and safety of a solar eclipse. Lewis and Jones Magnet Middle School science teacher Susan Booth were selected to serve as National Science Teaching Association’s Solar Eclipse Ambassadors.  

In advance of the April 8 partial solar eclipse, Lewis engaged 240+ visitors in learning how to safely view the sun using the solar viewing glasses she received from the Hampton Clean City Commission, National Institute of Aerospace, and NASA. Lewis also demonstrated how the eclipse could be safely viewed using everyday materials from the home – a pinhole projector made from a box and a colander. In addition, Lewis had learners simulate the movement of the sun, moon, and Earth during an eclipse using balls. Students also made paper plate masks that held their solar viewers and provided an extra measure of protection, especially for younger viewers.