Some children in Christian County will have an opportunity to view using grant funded equipment the first total solar eclipse to cross the U.S. in nearly a century.
The American Astronomical Society Solar Eclipse Task Force and National Science Foundation recently awarded more than 4,000 dollars to the Boys & Girls Club of Hopkinsville-Christian County. More than 100 club members will have access to tracking equipment and participate in workshops and solar-viewing activities leading up to the eclipse. Hopkinsville Solar Eclipse Coordinator Brooke Jung says the grant promotes STEM education.
“This project is a wonderful opportunity for our students and club members at the boys and girls club to get trained on this equipment and learn more about how to view things in space and how to understand what’s happening in the world around us and in the science that is going into all these different elements,” says Jung.
The Hopkinsville area is the premiere viewing location for the August 21st total solar eclipse. This eclipse is the first of its kind seen in the country since 1918. The Boys and Girls Club is building a science and technology area in a Teen Center set for completion in July.
Club members will also receive free pairs of Eclipse viewing glasses to help spread eye safety awareness.
This story has been updated.
