Solar Eclipse provides learning opportunities for students and staff

On August 21 at 11:38 a.m. students and staff from all across District 66 will be ready to view one of the only solar eclipses that will go from coast to coast in America. Science instructor Angela Bergman has worked and planned for the past two years to make this day memorable for students and staff alike. Given that the next solar eclipse will not be until the year 2024, the opportunity to view this spectacle will be unique for most.

As Bergman’s hopes for the event progressed, her small plan grew larger. Bergman asked Westside Principal Jay Opperman to help her accomplish this event. A foundation grant was given to Bergman to help with the purchasing of necessary materials for the event.

“Last January we started purchasing glasses and I started working with other districts across Nebraska,” Bergman said. “We’ve been sharing ideas and lesson plans, and everything we are doing here at Westside is probably the handy-work of three or four different people.”

As the shadow of the moon falls over it’s viewers, those in Omaha will see a dusk looking sky. Bergman explained that while people in Lincoln will experience nearly nighttime, the 98.5% eclipse in Omaha-while it may not be a total eclipse-will still allow us to see some changes in the environment around us. It is possible that nocturnal animals could come out during the eclipse, or we could see shadow snakes on the ground in result of waves in the atmosphere that sometimes become visible before and after the total eclipse.

Every student and staff in the district, with permission from their parent or guardian, will be given special glasses for the viewing of the solar eclipse. The glasses are much different than sunglasses and are made to protect your eyes from the danger that comes with staring at the sun.

“The sun is no brighter than normal, during an eclipse the disk of the sun is going to appear dimmer so you are going to be tempted to look longer,” Bergman said. “Unlike when you glance at it during the regular day, the bright spot would grow and grow and you’ll damage your eyes.”

Bergman says she is excited to be able to give kids this opportunity. She hopes that putting this opportunity in students’ hands will ignite curiosity or even inspire students to pursue a certain career involved with the eclipse. She explained how she believes that while school might get boring, she wants students to be able to remember how cool life is and that events like this should be enjoyed.

“For me to provide this opportunity for all of these kids and all of these people, that to me, is the most fun part about it,” Bergman said. “To know that you kids get to do something because I took a little bit of my time, that’s the bomb.”

For the link to the Westside Solar Eclipse viewing permission slip, click here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKHhEfIHfFesFIT_7ta-Pgj6CDMIQUKUuG6s0yElIdXKePng/viewform