5D-1 - Eclipse Stars: Connecting a Workshop to Eclipse Experiences

Abstract: Leading up to the April 8, 2024 Eclipse, 230 educators and 74 scientists participated in a virtual 3-hour workshop hosted by the ASP for the NSF-funded Eclipse Stars project, and were provided resources and a tool-kit to engage students and the public in the awe and wonder of a total solar eclipse. As part of the evaluation of the Eclipse Stars program, educators and scientists completed post-workshop and post-eclipse surveys. The post-workshop survey focused on collecting feedback on the perceptions and value of the workshops, alignment of workshop content to the goals of the program, and participants’ confidence in their ability to implement the eclipse activities with various audiences. The post-eclipse survey focused on the eclipse experience and connections between the workshop and the eclipse experience. Both surveys also gathered data on educators' own science attitudes, beliefs, and confidence, learner confidence, and scientists’ confidence in communicating with public audiences. Our talk will share evaluation results from the ASP Eclipse Stars program on how workshops and materials in the tool-kit are connected to positive, awe inspiring eclipse experiences for program participants and the audiences they served.