Solar Eclipse Activities At Libraries
Hands On Workshop
September 11, 2023
The Solar Eclipse Activities in Libraries (SEAL) Workshop will prepare and empower
public library staff to facilitate meaningful solar and space science programs
for their patrons that build curiosity, knowledge and inspiration.
Attendees will receive hands-on training on operating solar telescopes and other methods for
direct and indirect solar viewing, best practices for
developing and facilitating STEM programs, and how to engage with
community partners and library-specific digital resource networks.
Attendees will also be able to sign up for free solar eclipse glasses
to distribute to their communities in advance of both eclipses!
The workshop will use materials from the circulation kits and highlight best practices in using those materials
but the strategies, activities and resources shared during the workshop will be useful
to attendees whether they have access to a circulation kit or not.
The goals are to help library staff:
- Build off the excitement of the 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses, and engage their patrons in solar science activities
- Safely and effectively facilitate direct (e.g. solar telescope and Sunoculars) and indirect methods of safe solar viewing
- Develop and facilitate exciting and interactive STEM programming at their library
The workshop will include the following elements:
- Advice on engaging with community partners to promote and support solar science programs
- Ample opportunities for peer-to-peer networking and group discussions
- Direct instruction on setting up and using solar telescopes and sun spotters
- “Guide on the Side” facilitation strategies for STEM learning
- Help navigating STAR Net’s online community, where public library staff can share eclipse-related programming ideas, strategies and resources
- Hands-on facilitation of interactive solar science programs designed for library settings
- Advice on leveraging NASA volunteer networks like the Night Sky Network and Solar System Ambassadors