On Monday, April 8, millions of Americans will witness a total solar eclipse. There won’t be another one to cross North America from coast to coast until 2045! Multiple counties in Western Kentucky are in the path of totality. And students all over the state are within driving distance to locations in the path of totality in Indiana and Ohio.
KET’s current events program for students, News Quiz, has produced a special episode to get Kentucky classrooms ready to watch. In addition, PBS LearningMedia features a wide variety of free educational resources to help both classrooms and families celebrate the upcoming total solar eclipse:
Total Solar Eclipse 2024
The special episode of KET’s News Quiz features stories about the types of solar eclipses, what makes a total solar eclipse so exciting, and where and how students can view the eclipse safely. (Grades 3-12)
Solar Eclipses Explained
Learn about the mechanics of solar and lunar eclipses with these videos and visualizations. Use this resource to view and engage with different ways of seeing how the alignments of the moon, the sun, and Earth result in eclipses. (Grades 6-8)
How to Safely View an Eclipse
Astronomer/ Professor Dr. Kate Dellenbusch explains different ways to safely view a solar eclipse, the science behind why these methods work, and how to create a pinhole viewer. (Grades K-5)
Total Solar Eclipse | Ready Jet Go!
A total eclipse of the Sun is coming to Boxwood Terrace! The kids prepare a Total Eclipse song and dance to perform at the DSA, where the whole town is gathered for the event. Meanwhile, Sunspot attempts to explain the eclipse to all the local animals. (Grades K-2)
Predicting Eclipses
Learn about the evolution of eclipse predictions—from ancient Babylonians using a pattern of observations to Edmond Halley, who used mathematics—in this pair of videos from NOVA: Eclipse Over America. (Grades 6-8)
What’s the Difference Between a Solar and Lunar Eclipse?
What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse? How can you tell the difference? Find out how in this episode of Physics Girl from PBS Digital Studios. (Grades 6-12)