Professor Hendrix College Physics Department CONWAY, Arkansas, United States
Abstract: Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college in Conway, AR. We hosted a total solar eclipse event called the Hendrix Solar Odyssey on April 8, 2024. The event was planned to be fun, engaging, inclusive, educational, and safe for all. In the months leading up to the eclipse, we hosted guest speakers, an art gallery exhibit, and a variety of workshops and events. Our eclipse event featured performances by the wind ensemble, dance ensemble, and a puppet and mask parade by the theatre arts department. We had a “Physics Zone” with filtered telescopes, demonstrations, and free solar eclipse glasses for everyone to enjoy. Our event was featured in an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education entitled “Colleges Go Above and Beyond for the Solar Eclipse.” I will speak about how this event helped to build and strengthen the community and how we used liberal arts to enhance the experience and widen the impact.
