Schools Prepare for Solar Eclipse

On Monday, August 21, a portion of the planet’s population will have a chance to witness a sight that won’t happen for another 375 years—a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking all or part of the sun, according to NASA.

Due to this occurrence and its learning opportunity, Jasper County Charter School (JCCS) students will have a delay in transportation dismissals from all schools.

An announcement from the school system details that the JCCS Science departments and the STEAM leads have met to develop fun, engaging lessons that will integrate science and math to help local students learn about the eclipse. Because safety is of utmost importance, teachers and administrators have reviewed safety plans and will also spend time making sure students are aware of the expectations as they engage in outdoor learning activities during the time of the eclipse. All students will be provided solar eclipse glasses.

“Total solar eclipses are very rare, because it’s the moon’s shadow falling on the earth,” said Lesley Simanton-Coogan, director of the George E. Coleman Sr. Planetarium. “And the moon is smaller than the Earth and its shadow is small. Only people in the middle of the shadow will see the full eclipse.”

In Georgia, the eclipse will begin about 1 p.m. with total darkness happening around 2:30 p.m.