Countdown to the Solar Eclipse

On Monday, August 21st, we will have the opportunity to witness a partial solar eclipse here in Central Florida! The eclipse will begin at 1:19 PM, reach its maximum coverage at 2:51 PM and will end at 4:15 PM.

Begins: Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 1:19 pm
Maximum: Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Ends: Mon, Aug 21, 2017 at 4:15 pm

Duration: 2 hours, 55 minutes
Magnitude: 0.87

Watch the Solar Eclipse Safetly

I know it will be an exciting bit history to be able to witness a solar eclipse! However, it is important that you do not look directly at the eclipse at any point of time without the proper safety gear.

Solar Eclipse Certified Glasses

The ideal way to view a solar eclipse is through certified solar eclipse glasses. You will be able to view the eclipse directly.
However, if you are looking to buy your glasses now, most vendors are either sold out or they will arrive too late. But don’t fret!
There are other ways you can enjoy this momentous occasion!

Pinhole Projection

Pinhole Projection is a NASA-approved method of indirectly viewing the sun. For this project, have your back facing the sun. Your hands must be in the shape as though you’re ready to give a high-five. Cross the fingers of one of your hands over the fingers of the other. Look at your hands’ shadow on the ground. The small crevices between your fingers will project an image of mesh on the ground. For the viewing of our partial eclipse, these images will reveal the Sun’s crescent shape

If the area where you are viewing the eclipse is shaded by trees, the leaves’ shadows will act as a natural Pinhole Projection.

View other Projection projects you can use during the August 21 Solar Eclipse Here: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/projection

Cameras

If you have a professional or semi-professional camera, you should be able to record the solar eclipse without the need to look directly at it. We do recommend using a camera filter to project the lens of your camera, however.

Others may be thinking to use your cell phone to view the solar eclipse. Although, it will be difficult not to look at the sun while you try to aim your camera. Having eye protection is still recommended for this method. Now, cell phone cameras lenses are so small that it shouldn’t damage the lenses but to be on the safe side either put filter on the camera or set the phone’s settings to receive less light when viewing the eclipse.

We hope you are all prepared and enjoy 2017’s Solar Eclipse on August 21st!

Congratulations on graduating!  That next step that has been always around the corner has finally come! Life after high school. It’s a very exciting but may also be an intimidating step for most of you. You’ve worked diligently in your books all year to finally walk across that stage and earn your diploma.

But now many of you have a different challenge ahead. Some of you are going straight into college, others pursuing a trade, and then others going straight into the workforce after they graduate. Whatever your path may be, we have a few lines of advice for you.

Be Patient.

Of course, we want to be successful right away, like get that nice car and live in that nice house. However, God may have different plans. Success isn’t always overnight. Often, God wants us to grow through the wealth of our experiences not through the wealth in our wallets.

Don’t Worry.

God has his hand on you and has a plan for you. He will take care of you even when life gets difficult. You may not know where you’ll be in 10 years, but don’t worry.  God knows and will be with you as you get there.

Plan.

Now I know we just said to not worry, but that doesn’t mean to not prepare. Do you know what you enjoy doing? Do research on how other people made your passion their life’s career. Also, save for the future. Put a little money aside each week or month. Your future self will thank you.

Do Your Best.

Finally, do your best in all circumstances. It may seem difficult or disheartening at times, but don’t give up! When you do your best, you’ll easily stand out among those around you. Even in a job that pays next to nothing, do your best. The people over you will take notice.

“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” – Jeremiah 29:11

View the Highlights!

On September 13th, our school took a trip to the Orlando Science Center! We explored everything from kinetics, engineering, to how our planet works. View the photos below to learn the fun we had.