Seventh-grade student Henry Cohen was filled with excitement as he danced to the Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun" in teacher Nancy Morris' classroom at Cleveland's Riverside School. The students were engaged in activities related to the upcoming total solar eclipse in April. Second-graders were also present, modeling newly decorated eclipse viewing glasses and enjoying the hands-on learning experience.

For schools in or near the path of totality of the eclipse, the event has sparked lessons in science, literacy, and culture. In Portville, New York, the school system plans to take 500 seventh- through 12th-grade students to an old horse barn to experience the eclipse firsthand. Superintendent Thomas Simon emphasized the importance of students experiencing the natural world and feeling connected to the planet.

Some schools in Cleveland and other cities along the eclipse's path will be closed on the day of the event to avoid students being stuck in buses or crowds. At Riverside School, Morris organized a variety of crafts, games, and models to educate and engage her students about the eclipse. Learning about eclipses is a part of every state's science standards, but there is no substitute for witnessing the real event, according to Dennis Schatz of the National Science Teaching Association.

In Dallas, science teachers Anita Orozco and Katherine Roberts are planning for the entire student body of the Lamplighter School to watch the eclipse outdoors. They want to instill a love for science and inspire awe in their students. University at Buffalo professor Noemi Waight has been training future science teachers to incorporate cultural perspectives into their lessons about the eclipse, recognizing that different cultures may view the event in unique ways.

The STEM Friends Club from the State University of New York Brockport is collaborating with fourth-grade students to engage them in eclipse-related activities and spark their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Teacher Christopher Albrecht sees the eclipse as an opportunity to incorporate literacy into his lessons and ignite a passion for reading in his students. The eclipse is not only a scientific phenomenon but also a chance for students to explore their imagination and curiosity.

Overall, educators across the country are using the upcoming total solar eclipse as a teachable moment, inspiring students to appreciate the wonders of the natural world and fostering a love for learning and exploration.