PRESS RELEASE: APRIL 8, 2024
Solar Eclipse Watch Party
Professor Hicks - Orange Park Campus
More than 200 students and community members gathered for the Solar Eclipse Watch Party held on each St. Johns River State College campus.
Although Florida was not in the path of totality, enthusiasts hung out on campus to watch the eclipse at its peak with 63% of the sun eclipsed by the moon.
Attendees were treated to activities and cosmic snacks including SunnyD, Moon Pies, Milky Way candy bars, and Starbursts.
SJR State science professor Jill Leggett, who traveled to Texas to experience the eclipse, said “It is always awe-inspiring to see totality and is be best summed up by: The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork – Psalms 19:1,” said Leggett.
For Florida attendees, Leggett said that witnessing a solar eclipse, even a partial one, can be an awe-inspiring experience that stays with students for a lifetime. “It can spark wonder about the universe and our place in it and offers a unique opportunity for immersive, interdisciplinary learning that can foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the world around us,” Leggett said.
Solar eclipse viewing glasses were provided to the SJR State Library by the Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program.
More pictures are available on the SJR State flickr page
SJR State Prof. Leggett’s view of the eclipse in Texas.
