Eclipse 2024 Workshops
Are you ready for the solar eclipse on April 8? Join our virtual STEM workshops to engage your students in this exciting event. All workshops are free and will take place virtually. There is a French workshop on April 4.
Workshops Run Mar. 21 - Apr. 5
Our workshops cover topics in space, math and computer science while introducing cultural astronomy and the diverse perspectives that have shaped our understanding of the universe. Classes are welcome to register for multiple events, including:
- Virtual hands-on activities that have simple materials
- Astronomer Talks events where students can meet a space scientist
All registrants will get access to our video series, Under One Moon, featuring astronomers and astrophysicists from around the world. They'll share their expertise as well as their experience with cultural astronomy - the current and historical relationship that different cultures have to the Moon and the cosmos.
All workshops are facilitated in English unless otherwise stated. All workshop times are listed in the Eastern Daylight Timezone.
Virtual Hands-on Workshops
STEM Storytime + Phases of the Moon
Mon. March 25, 9:00 - 9:40 AM | Register for March 25 (external link, opens in new window)
Students will learn about Ramadan, phases of the moon and the lunar calendar through a live reading of Night of the Moon by Hena Khan, and an activity drawing out the phases of the moon.
Materials: writing utensil (marker) and 8 pieces of paper (can be GOOS or quartered pieces) per student
Astronomer Talk + Phases of the Moon
Tues. March 26, 12:45 - 1:25 PM | Register for March 26 (external link, opens in new window)
Students will meet TMU’s Astronomy Prof, Dave Kirsh, and get to ask him questions. They’ll also learn about phases of the moon and the lunar calendar through an activity drawing out the phases of the moon.
Materials: writing utensil (marker) and 8 pieces of paper (can be GOOS or quartered pieces) per student
Micro:Bits - Coding a Radio Message for Space
In this lesson, students learn about how spacecraft talk to each other using radio signals. They will discover how NASA's Deep Space Network helps in this communication. Using Micro:bit, students learn to write simple codes to make their own space communication system. They learn basic coding ideas like giving instructions to computers and making decisions. Through hands-on activities, they send and receive messages wirelessly, similar to how spacecraft communicate. This lesson is a fun way to learn coding and understand how space communication works!
Grades: 6-9
Materials: Each student needs access to the internet
Register for March 22, 1:30 - 2:30 PM (external link, opens in new window)
Register for March 25, 12:30 - 1:30 PM (external link, opens in new window)
Eclipse 101
What do you need to know about the eclipse on April 8? This virtual workshop introduces you to the essentials. Using math (angles, distance and direction), students will determine where and how to view the eclipse. They’ll also learn about how to safely view the eclipse and make a pinhole viewer.
Grades: 4-6
Materials: sheet of paper, protractor, compass (digital or old school), hole punch (or something to make small holes in the paper)
Register for April 2, 1:00 - 1:45 PM (external link, opens in new window)
Register for April 3, 12:30 - 1:15 PM (external link, opens in new window)
Micro:Bits - Coding a Radio Message for Space
In this lesson, students learn about how spacecraft talk to each other using radio signals. They will discover how NASA's Deep Space Network helps in this communication. Using Micro:bit, students learn to write simple codes to make their own space communication system. They learn basic coding ideas like giving instructions to computers and making decisions. Through hands-on activities, they send and receive messages wirelessly, similar to how spacecraft communicate. This lesson is a fun way to learn coding and understand how space communication works!
Grades: 6-9
Materials: Each student needs access to the internet
Register for March 21, 9 - 10 AM (external link, opens in new window)
Register for March 22, 1:30 - 2:30 PM (external link, opens in new window)
Register for March 25, 12:30 - 1:30 PM (external link, opens in new window)
Eclipse 101
What do you need to know about the eclipse on April 8? This virtual workshop introduces you to the essentials. Using math (angles, distance and direction), students will determine where and how to view the eclipse. They’ll also learn about how to safely view the eclipse and make a pinhole viewer.
Grades: 9-12
Materials: sheet of paper, protractor, compass (digital or old school), hole punch (or something to make small holes in the paper)
Register for Fri. April 5, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (external link, opens in new window)
** This is an informal lunchtime session for classes, school graoups and clubs to learn more about the eclipse. If you need to tune in a bit late, that's fine.
Astronomer Talks
Thursday April 4, 2024, 9:30 - 10:15 AM | Guy Perrin
Guy is a professor and researcher in space astrophysics. He works on high angular resolution techniques that are used to study supermassive black holes, in particular the one at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy, Sagittarius A*.
Materials: none
Wednesday March 27, 2024, 1:00 - 2:15 PM | Dave Kirsh
Dave is a lecturer in physics, astronomy and general science, and is always engaged in science outreach activities. His training is in astrophysics, and he applies this knowledge to his teaching at Toronto Metropolitan University and Humber College.
Materials: none
Thursday April 4, 2024, 8:45 - 9:25 AM | Guy Perrin
Guy is a professor and researcher in space astrophysics. He works on high angular resolution techniques that are used to study supermassive black holes, in particular the one at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy, Sagittarius A*.
Materials: none