As the time of the big event approached, excitement filled the Green Vale School campus. Today was no ordinary day—it was the day of the solar eclipse, a rare celestial event that captured the attention of students and teachers alike.
In the days leading up to the eclipse, both Upper and Lower School students immersed themselves in a hands-on learning project to prepare for the event. In science classes, they crafted pinhole projectors, learning about the science behind the eclipse and the importance of safe viewing practices.
Eighth Grade student Shay Durret learned that a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, altering the image of the sun. "The 2024 solar eclipse is a very rare occurrence. It is the first time in decades where no matter where you live in the United States you can view some form of the eclipse. It is dubbed the Great North American Eclipse by some sources," he shared. "At Green Vale, we designed a pinhole projector to view the image of the sun as the moon travels across it. It provides a safe way to view the eclipse clearly, without using solar eclipse glasses."
Upper School students went the extra mile, creating additional projectors for their Early Childhood buddies, spreading the spirit of camaraderie and mentorship. The projectors were styled with colorful decorations, infusing creativity into their creations. With smiles on their faces, they eagerly demonstrated how to use the projectors to their younger buddies, fostering a sense of leadership and excitement.
"Creating a pinhole viewbox was a fun activity, and also made students think about how scarce solar eclipses really are," said GVS 8th Grade student Janis Vitols. "We had such a great time decorating the boxes that we gave to our Early Childhood buddies, and they even learned new facts about the eclipse throughout the process."
As the eclipse began, Upper School students gathered on the GVS field … their pinhole projectors in hand. With careful precision, they peered through their projectors, marveling at the solar eclipse—applying all they had learned in the classroom to this real-life event. For those who preferred to be indoors, it was streamed live in the Harris Theater, still providing a safe and captivating view of the eclipse.
"A solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Upper School science teacher Aisha Daley. "Even though we are not in the path of totality, we saw a large percent of the sun covered, about 89%. This was an exciting moment for our students, faculty, and staff."
Today, the Green Vale community came together to celebrate a remarkable sighting—an event that won't occur again in New York until 2044—all while blending learning, creativity, and mentorship in perfect harmony. As the eclipse reached its peak, a sense of wonder filled the air, reminding everyone of the beauty and magic of the universe—and the power of hands-on science to bring us closer to it.
