Valley teachers use solar eclipse as unique science lesson for students

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Some local schools used Monday's eclipse as part of the lesson plan. Students learned everything leading up to the big event including how to watch it safely.

Fresno's Computech Middle School used Monday's solar eclipse as a teaching moment students sketched out drawings as they tracked the moon's path using shadows on the sidewalk before donning special glasses for the gazing event.

"Even in the first week of school, the students have so much understanding around this, and we thought what a great opportunity," principal Andrew Scherrer said. "This is a global event something that last happened in 1918. So, even 72 percent in Fresno is pretty outstanding."

While 72 percent of the sun was blocked here in Fresno, four science teachers from Computech traveled to Oregon to witness the full-blown eclipse first hand.

"We planned around it, I couldn't be more proud that they're experiencing it," Scherrer said. "I just got a text from one of them. They're seeing the total eclipse a hundred percent. It's beautiful."

On campus, more than 800 students took part in the special viewing the school adjusted its schedule to allow students to watch this once in a lifetime event.

"I thought it was really cool, even though we couldn't see the total eclipse," student Calvin Windmiller said. "I thought it was cool how the sun formed a crescent, kind of like how the moon looks."