Solar Eclipse Learning
HAS students share experience
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Highland Adventist School students, from left, Coy Watson, Sean Jacko and Cam Phillips cut out pieces of paper and aluminum foil needed for homemade solar eclipse viewers.
ELKINS -- While public school students in Randolph County were dismissed from school early on Monday due to the solar eclipse, private school students remained in the classrooms and experienced the rare event together.
The students at Highland Adventist School located in Highland Park, enjoyed a full afternoon of eclipse activities with their fellow students.
"I talked with the staff last week and we came up with several things to do for the eclipse," Highland Adventist School Principal Cheryl Jacko told The Inter-Mountain Monday. "And the kids had a fantastic time doing everything we had on the schedule for them today."
Before heading outside and viewing the eclipse, HAS Middle School teacher Stacy Blancy helped students construct pinhole cameras to use for viewing. The students were also provided approved eclipse safety glasses.
"The pinhole cameras reflect the image into a box so that you don't risk hurting your eyes," Jacko said. "It was a safe way of being able to look at the eclipse and it worked out OK for the students. And we also had glasses for all the students that we handed out, as well.
"The students really had a blast going outside and looking at it. They were supposed to come inside after a short time, but they were having so much fun watching it, that we decided to stay outside for a longer period of time."
Not only did the Highland Adventist School students get to make viewing devices and spend time outside viewing the event, but they were also treated to an assembly that featured information about eclipses.
"Our assembly was devoted to the eclipse and learning about it," Jacko said. "We didn't get through everything we planned to do, because we spent so much time outside, but we taught the students about the science of an eclipse and why they happen. We also put together something about eye safety for them."
The Highland Adventist School is a small PK-12 school located at Kennedy Street in Highland Park. The school is operated by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. For more information about HAS, call 304-636-4274 or visit the school's website at www.hihglandadventistschool.org.