On April 8th, Executive Director Ryan Haupt of the National Youth Science Academy (NYSAcademy) in Tucker County hosted a solar eclipse event that welcomed around 450 attendees throughout the day. The event took place just outside of Davis and included students from local schools, homeschoolers, and other visitors.
During the event, students engaged in a variety of activities such as viewing the eclipse through homemade pinhole cameras, participating in a planetarium show, and creating science projects in the MakerSpace. One of the highlights of the event was when George Hebb of The Computer Shop worked with students to use a laser engraver to cut out eyeholes for eclipse glasses on paper plate sun masks that they had designed.
Dr. Ryan Haupt gave a talk on women in STEM featuring Katherine Johnson, a West Virginian, while students were able to make science-related projects using the laser engraver and create bracelets that demonstrated the Purkinje effect during an eclipse. Jerod Caligiuri, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Davis and Elkins College, led demonstrations on the science of eclipses including viewing the eclipse through a telescope with a sun filter for safety. Attendees were also able to enjoy astronaut snacks provided by local producers.
The event was organized by the Tucker County Family Support Center with special thanks to NASA WV Space Grant Consortium and Parker Solar Probe for their support in funding and providing eclipse glasses. According to Ryan Haupt, solar eclipses offer a unique opportunity to connect with the vastness of the universe and share in a moment of awe with others. This event allowed
