Mystery Science And Google Partner To Ensure Kids Experience The Total Solar Eclipse
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mystery Science, creator of the fastest growing elementary science curriculum in America, and Google today announced they are working together to help millions of children across the U.S. experience the Great American Total Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017. Millions of solar eclipse glasses are being distributed to community libraries in the STAR Library Education Network to be given away free of charge, thanks in part to the support of Google. In addition, Google has provided Mystery Science with fifteen thousand eclipse glasses to be shipped directly to schools. Mystery Science is getting eclipse glasses into the hands of elementary teachers as well as providing exclusive educational videos and lesson plans, available for free download today at EclipseAmerica.org.
"Going to the moon, exploring the surface of mars, or seeing a total solar eclipse across the US for the first time in a century are amazing moments that can inspire a whole new generation of explorers and scientists," said Calvin Johnson, Program Manager at Google for the Eclipse Megamovie project. "Our collaboration with Mystery Science ensures that educators have the resources needed to drive and encourage the curiosity of students and push our understanding of the universe to another level."
In the last year, over 1 million children experienced Mystery Science in their elementary schools, leveraging its open-and-go curriculum.
"Those who have been fortunate enough to experience a total solar eclipse usually describe it as a 'moment of awe'," said Keith Schacht, co-founder and CEO of Mystery Science. "The next Marie Curie or Albert Einstein is somewhere out there right now. Experiencing this eclipse might be a singular event that inspires a lifetime of curiosity."
Why You Should Care About the Solar Eclipse
-- The August 21 event happening across the U.S. from Oregon to South
Carolina is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many. The sky will go dark,
the air will cool, crickets will chirp, and stars will become visible in
daytime.
-- The last time a total solar eclipse crossed the United States was in
1918, nearly one hundred years ago. In historical perspective for most
young adults, it means most of their parents and grandparents have never
seen a solar eclipse.
-- In this modern era, where children spend so much time indoors and on
digital devices, this is an opportunity to inspire them with one of the
greatest wonders in the natural world. The solar eclipse provides a
unique way to get them excited through a real world experience.
-- The next total solar eclipse to cross the United States like this one
won't occur until the year 2045. So don't miss the 2017 eclipse, as this
one might be your only chance.
-- It is extremely dangerous to ever look directly at the sun. This is why
specially designed safety glasses are needed.
Unique Solar Eclipse Info on EclipseAmerica.org
Created by Mystery Science, the EclipseAmerica.org site contains highly engaging and informative science content related to the eclipse including:
-- Explanation video made for kids. Mystery Science creates engaging
content that children love. Too often, scientific explanations are heavy
on dry vocabulary and technical details rather than engaging content.
-- What time the eclipse will be in your city. Mystery Science knows that
where you are physically on August 21 will dramatically alter your
experience with the eclipse. So, they created a helpful Eclipse Time
Checker where a person can type in their city and it will tell them when
exactly to look.
-- Everything a teacher needs. Mystery Science created a ready-to-go lesson
plan. Mystery Science is used in 10% of elementary schools in the U.S.
and understands what teachers will need to help their students
experience this moment of awe.
Google's Solar Eclipse Branded Glasses on Par with NASA Standards
According to NASA, homemade filters or sunglasses of any kind are not safe for looking at the sun during this solar eclipse. These Google solar eclipse glasses meet NASA's standards and have extremely dark lenses as they were made by Rainbow Symphony. The Sun or eclipse should not be viewed with an unfiltered camera, telescope or binocular as it will result in serious injury to your eyes.
Pricing and Availability
Interested teachers in the U.S. can go to the EclipseAmerica.org today to request their free solar eclipse glasses from a local library or to be shipped directly to their school. In addition, anyone can download and use the open-and-go eclipse lesson from Mystery Science for free. Here are the three, easy steps for teachers to get started:
1. Request your free solar eclipse glasses.
2. Check what time you will need to go outside to observe the eclipse. The
exact time varies depending on your location: Eclipse Time Checker
3. Prepare to teach the solar eclipse lesson to your students.
About Mystery Science
Mystery Science helps teachers without a background in science teach incredible science lessons. Mystery Science is the fastest growing science curriculum in the U.S. with teachers in more than 10% of elementary schools reaching more than a million children. The company's mission to accelerate human progress by increasing the number of problem solvers in the next generation. They're focused on fixing STEM education for children. Mystery Science has raised $2.9 million to date from Y Combinator, LearnCapital, Reach Capital, and 500 Startups. The company was founded by tech and science gurus including a former Facebook product manager, Keith Schacht, and an award-winning science teacher, Doug Peltz.
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SOURCE Mystery Science
