On Monday, people all around the country gathered outside to witness a rare solar eclipse. Although South Florida was not in the path of totality, residents still enjoyed the unique viewing experience. In Palm Beach County, students were especially excited to watch the eclipse.
At Okeeheelee Community Middle School, science teacher Annalise Wellman shared the solar eclipse with her eighth-grade students. She was proud to offer them this opportunity, especially since it aligned perfectly with their current studies. After ensuring the students followed safety protocols like using special glasses, they went outside to observe the Moon passing between the sun and Earth.
The students were thrilled to have a hands-on learning experience outside of the classroom. Benji Salazar expressed his excitement about seeing the eclipse at school. Although WPTV news crew couldn’t film the eclipse directly due to camera lens safety, reporter Stephanie Susskind described it as a crescent to half Moon shape through her special glasses.
Wellman hopes that seeing such a rare phenomenon will spark curiosity in her students and inspire future scientists. The students, like Byanca Thegenus, enjoyed the experience of witnessing the sun being covered by the Moon. Sharing this moment with friends made it even more memorable for them.
Overall, the solar eclipse viewing was an educational and exciting experience for Okeeheelee Middle School’s students. This event brought science to life and encouraged them to explore
