Schools
River Eves Students Incorporate Solar Eclipse Into STEM Lessons
At River Eves, a part of that learning experience allowed students in grades 2 through 5 to view the event live outside.
From River Eves PTA: On Monday afternoon, August 21, River Eves Elementary school students and faculty gathered to watch a 97% solar eclipse. The event could be described as this young generations’ “Halley’s Comet moment”. The last time a total solar eclipse occurred in the continental U.S. was in 1979 when some parents of the elementary school children were young students, providing the adults with a special time to share their memories.
At River Eves, a part of that learning experience allowed students in grades 2 through 5 to view the event live outside.
The eclipse also offered a real-time “teachable moment” to increase the science literacy of all their students, utilizing a variety of instructional resources, and providing them with an unforgettable learning experience.
As River Eves is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Certified, the school prepared the students for the solar eclipse by incorporating special lesson plans into their weekly STEM curriculum.
“We made a picture of a corona of the sun with a circle and chalk and then rubbed the chalk to make the shine around the sun,” said Olivia Taylor, a second grade student.
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“I turned STEM into STEAM for the week adding Art into our usual STEM curriculum. All grades created the pictures, but I went more in depth discussing the solar eclipse with the older students,” said Ally Baker, STEM Lab Teacher. “Perhaps the experience will inspire more than a few students to seek an education in the sciences.”
“The solar eclipse is a historic moment whereby our River Eves community of students, staff and families can share together on our campus,” said Principal Neil Pinnock.
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River Eves, located at 9000 Eves Road in Roswell, became a STEM-certified school in 2015, the first Fulton County School to achieve this designation. The school has earned numerous accolades, including two Reward School Titles for Highest-Performing Title I School.
Photo courtesy of River Eves Elementary School (Josie Hebenstreit and Olivia Taylor, 2nd Graders, experiencing the eclipse at River Eves. Credit: River Eves Elementary School)
