2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE
RESOURCES AND LESSONS
Viewing the Total Solar Eclipse
On April 8th, 2024, the moon will be in between Earth and the Sun. The moon will block the Sun's Light. In Michigan, the sun will not be completely blocked. A total eclipse in Michigan is predicted for 2099.
You can use the Solar Eclipse Lookup Tool to find the time and percent coverage at your location
Please have students use approved solar eclipse glasses or indirect viewing methods to observe the solar eclipse under adult supervision.
Resources Across Grade Levels
NASA's 2024 Total Eclipse Page (includes interactive map with zip code predictor)
Highland Park School District's Eclipse Educator Resources
How to Safely Observe a Solar Eclipse
NASA's 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Website
Hands on Activities from The Exploratorium
NSTA Journal Articles on Eclipse across grade levels
Interactive Map for 2024 Solar Eclipse
Another Interactive Map for 2024 Solar Eclipse
Instructions for building a pinhole projector
- Video(NASA)
- Written Instructions (Hila Research Center)
Elementary
Resources and Lessons
Video: What is a Solar Eclipse? (NASA)
Modeling Sun-Moon Positions for Solar Eclipses
- Students will model the geometry of solar eclipses using quarters to represent the Sun and Moon
Instructions for Building a Pinhole Projector in a Box
The Yardstick Eclipse: Model how an eclipse occurs
- Instructions for this activity from the National Solar Observatory
- Instructions from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Article from Science Scope
- Students learn about distance and perspective with the much smaller moon blocking the light from the sun with this modeling activity
Secondary
Resources and Lessons
What are the Different Types of Solar Eclipses? (MS)
- Students will calculate the size to distance ratio of the Sun and the Moon from Earth to determine how a solar eclipse can occur.
Observing the Sun During a Total Solar Eclipse (MS & HS)
- Interactive lesson that takes students through the basic mechanics of a solar eclipse, using a NASA Space Place Eclipse Poster, including an optional eclipse art activity.
What is the Sun's Corona? (MS & HS)
- In this activity students will compare different methods for observing the Sun’s corona and make predictions about what they will observe during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.
Modeling Solar Eclipse Geometry (MS & HS)
- Students will model the geometry of solar eclipses by plotting points on graph paper, and using quarters and a nickel to represent the Sun and Moon
MiSTAR Solar Eclipse Resources (MS)
- Includes Off-the-Shelf Lessons and more
From the American Association of Physics Teachers (HS)
- Includes lessons on reading solar eclipse maps and eclipse geometry
Modeling Eclipses Using Hula Hoops (MS & HS)