Arlington Independent School District has a curriculum for students for the upcoming solar eclipse.
“The eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event for all of us and it’s an amazing opportunity to foster curiosity and interest in science among our students and give them a hands-on – or rather an eyes-on – real-world learning experience,” said Arlington ISD director of curriculum and instruction Jamie MacDougall in a press release.
Science teachers across Arlington ISD school are incorporating the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse phenomenon into classroom instruction as the next solar eclipse that will happen in DFW is not anticipated to arrive for another 300-plus years.
“It’s so important to incorporate the solar eclipse into classroom activities because it enriches students’ learning experience by providing opportunities for them to participate in this once in a lifetime event,” said Tamiko Ellis, Arlington ISD science curriculum coordinator, in the press release.
Arlington ISD students will conduct solar eclipse science research, which will also help NASA by observing what the eclipse will do to the atmosphere.
“They are going to actually be monitoring the atmosphere and what’s going to happen during the eclipse,” stated Dr. Matt Smith, Arlington ISD superintendent to CBS News Texas.
Throughout the day, students can dress up as astronauts or wear NASA T-shirts as they experience the solar eclipse in Arlington ISD schools.
“We have students who are going to be outside experiencing the eclipse and going through a guided science lesson during the whole eclipse as well,” said Smith. “So, we are really focused on the pre-k through 12th learning experience here in Arlington ISD.”
MacDougall thanked the Perot Museum of Nature and Science for donating solar eclipse glasses for students and teachers.