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       Solar Eclipse- Monday, April 8, 2024

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Upcoming RI Science Education Events

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Press Release on 2/20/2024

Rhode Island Science Teachers Association Urges Schools to Plan Safe Viewing of Solar Eclipse on April 8

This remarkable natural event will not happen again for more than 20 years; safety guidelines are available.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- In anticipation of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the Rhode Island Science Teachers Association (RISTA) urges school administrators to work with their school community to plan for safe viewing of this unique event. The eclipse will begin at 2:15 p.m. and peak across Rhode Island at 3:29 p.m., with 91% of the sun blocked. The timing of the upcoming eclipse poses a unique challenge for student safety, as it occurs during school dismissal time, when many students may be on their way home from school.

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth and its shadow blocks our view of the Sun (NASA). The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. All students and adults can safely watch the eclipse if they are wearing specialized certified eye protection or using filters. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, without proper protection can lead to serious eye injuries. Educators and families are encouraged to review these safety guidelines from NASA and visit RISTA’s Eclipse Resource Page for links to certified glasses, filters, and other resources. As the date approaches, solar viewing glasses will likely be in short supply, so orders should be placed soon to have a supply. Solar eclipse information, including safety, is available for administrators in this 5-minute video from the Fiske Planetarium.

“A solar eclipse is a celestial event that can captivate the interest and imagination of the public, particularly young students,” said RISTA President Tiffany Risch. “We at RISTA are thrilled students will have the opportunity to experience this remarkable natural event and want to ensure all are aware of the risks of viewing without proper eye protection.”

Seeking a Middle School Teacher to Demonstrate an Engaging Eclipse Activity

Are you a middle school teacher interested in space, the sun, and all things cosmic? RISTA is looking for a Middle School teacher to be our representative and provide a 15-minute live eclipse-related demonstration that other teachers can easily replicate for their own students. This will be part of a tri-state event (see below). If you are interested, please respond to Kathy Eller, RISTA Secretary (kathryneller45@gmail.com) and/or Tiffany Risch, RISTA President (ristapresident@gmail.com) by 5 pm on February 29, 2024.

Request for Science Fair Judges - March 16th at CCRI, Warwick

It’s the time of year when the organizers seek volunteer judges for the Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday, March 16, 2024.  On this day middle and high school students from across Rhode Island will gather to exhibit their science projects.  These students have devoted many hours of work to their research and analysis and to the presentation of their results.  They are excited to have been selected to represent their schools at the statewide science and engineering fair, and they are enthusiastic about science.  Participation in the science fair should be a memorable positive experience for these students that will influence them to study science further and perhaps continue to a career in this field.  In order to provide such a positive and enriching experience for the participants, we need judges who are themselves enthusiastic and knowledgeable about science.  This year’s RISEF is at CCRI in Warwick.

Registration for judges is online.  Please follow link, complete the form and click “Submit.”  You will receive an acknowledgement that your registration has been accepted.  Please select categories that best fit your scientific background and training.  For an explanation of the categories, see https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/categories-and-subcategories/all-categories/.

Thank you to all who organized and presented at the RISTA/RIMTA

STEM Super Saturday 

on September 23rd at LaSalle Academy

Special thanks to:

Robyn Poulsen and Texas Instruments for sponsoring

&

Page Keeley for delivering a fantastic Keynote address!  

Review of Program and Presenters

Check out the Uncovering Student Ideas series of formative assessment probes written by Page Keeley and articles authored by Page on the NSTA Website.

TI STEM Super Saturday, Sept 23, 2023

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