Classroom Resources

How To Watch A Solar Eclipse Without Eclipse Glasses

While eclipses are a not-to-be-missed experience, experts warn against looking directly at the eclipse without certified eclipse glasses to avoid eye damage. It’s also recommended not to look at an eclipse through the lens of a phone or telescope.

The solar eclipse also presents an excellent learning opportunity for teachers. Some schools may opt to close or grant students an excused absence, while others seize the educational opportunity.

If you have an opportunity to view the eclipse with your students, you have a few options. Certified eclipse glasses are the safest way to view, but there are other options that make great projects for the classroom! A popular method of viewing an eclipse is to create a pinhole. To do this, simply pass sunlight through a small opening and project an image of the sun onto a nearby surface such as another card, a wall, or the ground.

There are a number of ways to create a pinhole projection – check out the National Science Foundation’s recommendations and instructions, or use one of these “wacky” ideas!