5th grader Bryson Gourley tries out a pair of solar eclipse glasses donated to the school by Mars Robotics Association President Jeff Beckstead and association member Emma Salasky on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Knoch Intermediate Elementary School presented with eclipse viewing glasses
Students from Knoch Intermediate Elementary School were presented with eclipse viewing glasses by Mars Robotics Association president Jeff Beckstead and a Knoch High School student Wednesday, March 26.
According to the Mars-based nonprofit robotics group, which serves students of all ages interested in STEAM around Butler County, the glasses were designed by a team member who is a graphic design student at the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.
The robotics students raised money for 3,500 glasses to be donated to local area elementary schools, including Mars Primary Center, Mars Elementary, Mars Centennial schools, Knoch Elementary and Knoch Primary schools, St. Luke Lutheran School and Holy Sepulcher Catholic School.
In an announcement to parents in Knoch School District, superintendent Dave Foley shared that since elementary school children will be in school during the time of the eclipse April 8, parents of students in second-through-fifth grades will be able to sign a permission slip to allow their children to go outdoors to view the event.
Students will be asked to wear the glasses outside and through dismissal. According to the district, all students in kindergarten through fifth grade will receive a pair of glasses donated by the Mars Robotics Association to wear home.
Mars Robotics is also selling the eclipse viewing glasses as a fundraiser.
According to the nonprofit, the glasses were produced by a supplier listed on the American Astronomical Society’s webpage for Suppliers of Safe Solar Viewers and Filters.
Bryson Gourley, left Josh Christy, Krisann Lambert, and Emmerson Jones pose with the Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association's Emma Salasky and president Jeff Beckstead, right, on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Krisann Lambert, 5th grade teacher at Knoch Intermediate Elementary School, tries out a pair of Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to the school by Mars Robotics Association President Jeff Beckstead and robotics member Emma Salasky on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bryson Gourley, left, Josh Christy, Krisann Lambert, and Emmerson Jones test out Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association's Emma Salasky, far right, and president Jeff Beckstead on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bryson Gourley, left, Josh Christy, Krisann Lambert, and Emmerson Jones test out Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association's Emma Salasky, far right, and president Jeff Beckstead on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Fifth grader Josh Christy tries out a pair of Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association President Jeff Beckstead and robotics member Emma Salasky on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bryson Gourley, left Josh Christy, Krisann Lambert, and Emmerson Jones pose with the Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association's Emma Salasky and president Jeff Beckstead, right, on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bryson Gourley, left, Josh Christy, Krisann Lambert, and Emmerson Jones test out Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association's Emma Salasky, far right, and president Jeff Beckstead on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bryson Gourley, left, Josh Christy, Krisann Lambert, and Emmerson Jones test out Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by Mars Robotics Association's Emma Salasky, far right, and president Jeff Beckstead on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
5th grader Emmerson Jones tries out a pair of Solar Eclipse Glasses donated to Knoch Intermediate Elementary School by the Mars Robotics Association while 5th grade teacher Krisann Lambert, right, marvels at them, on Wednesday, March 27. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
