Austin ISD turns total eclipse into science lesson

AUSTIN, Texas — Call it a science lesson to remember!

Kids in Austin ISD were in school Monday and got the chance to view the total eclipse together with their teachers.

It is not every day that you get kids cheering for the sun, but today the kids at Reilly Elementary School cheered every time the clouds parted enough to see the moon cross in front of the sun. “it’s going to feel a little weird because it’s going to be dark and it’s going to feel colder and the animals are going to be affected,” said George Revels, a second grader. “I think it’s good for education because you get to see it in person at school and you get to learn about it.”

Austin ISD was one of the districts that did not cancel school today, and instead, the district helped coordinate a real-life science class. Bianca Meyer teaches first graders who will remember the total eclipse for the rest of their lives. “They are so excited. They’re very happy to be experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with us,” she said.

Austin ISD leadership made sure schools made the most of this educational opportunity. “We’re always learning, and this opportunity is a way for science to come alive,” said Reilly Principal Leila Alonso.

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CBS Austin obtained drone footage taken at Bryker Woods Elementary School, where the kids gathered on the field as well to see the eclipse. District leadership tells CBS Austin they partnered with PBS and the Thinkery at Reilly. “Our students get to hear and experience what an eclipse is, in real-time, like I said they read about it in textbooks but today they actually get to see what totality actually looks like,” said Katrina Bailey, who leads campus support for a group of Austin ISD schools.

Once the moon covered the sun and darkness fell on the Reilly Elementary School field, the field where they normally have recess became a science laboratory where they learned real-time lessons about the solar system. “it means the moon will be blocking out the sun completely,” said George.

We were told more than ninety parents were also here to experience the eclipse with their children.