As the solar eclipse approaches, the Southern Cayuga School District Planetarium in Aurora, NY, is taking the opportunity to educate students about this rare event. Inside the planetarium’s immersive 360-degree theater, students not only learn about the eclipse but also get to experience it firsthand through a cutting-edge projection system that places them right in the midst of the action. According to Planetarium Coordinator Heather Synder, the students are fully immersed in the experience, feeling like they are inside tree houses or aboard the International Space Station. The current show at the planetarium focuses on the upcoming eclipse, preparing students for what to expect when the sun is obscured by the moon.

In addition to the educational show, students engage in hands-on activities to further enhance their understanding of the eclipse. The planetarium offers these shows to students from the Southern Cayuga School District and surrounding areas, with Weedsport School District Assistant Superintendent Mindy Earvay praising the STEM-themed presentations as valuable real-world learning experiences for students.

Following upgrades to the planetarium in 2019, Snyder mentions that they are now in a unique position to witness a total solar eclipse, an event that occurs only once every 400 years. As the public eagerly awaits this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Southern Cayuga School District will host three free evening presentations on Thursday, March 28, Tuesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 4, offering a chance for those outside the school community to witness the planetarium’s eclipse show. For more details, visit the school district’s website.