On Monday, April 8, 2024, students at William H. Ross Elementary School in Margate gathered to witness the near total eclipse of the sun. Principal Bonnie Marino and the school had been preparing for this event for several months, making sure that students had high-quality blackout glasses to safely view the eclipse.
The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and a NASA educator program provided donations to help with the glasses, while resources such as a large map of the moon from the Buzz Aldrin SpaceShare Foundation were used to educate students about solar eclipses leading up to the event. All students in the district had been learning about this rare and fascinating celestial phenomenon in their science lessons.
On the day of the eclipse, students were guided by their teachers in small groups to view it in the schoolyard. They lined up in the hallway and had a chance to safely observe this celestial phenomenon before being dismissed for the day. Principal Marino emphasized the importance of educating students about safely viewing such events to avoid eye damage, and she was pleased to see them having a great time during this unique learning experience.
