While people across the country looked up to watch the first eclipse in the United States in 38 years, rising freshmen in the STEM academy used light sensors to measure the total coverage seen from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Organized by Andrew Jackson, Myron Blosser, Erich Sneller and other teachers, students arrived to a set up of light sensors, eclipse glasses and a telescope. All rising freshmen in STEM were encouraged to come. Freshman Mariel Joven appreciated being able to see such a rare event.

“I think it’s really cool, because a lot of people only see it once in their life,” Joven said.

Stanley Inouye, another freshman that attended the event, had heard about a solar eclipse from his mother. Being able to see it for himself was a great experience.

“I thought it was really cool, [because] we don’t really get eclipses in North America that often. My mom talked about the last time she saw one, and it was a long time ago, so it was [lucky] that I got to see it,” Inouye said.

Students took measurements of light every 10 minutes. After being exposed to what the upcoming year in STEM may look like, Joven is even more excited than before.

“During middle school, you don’t have different areas of STEM. This year we have STEM Bio and STEM Innovations, and so I’m really looking forward to focusing on [different] topics,” Joven said.

Inouye is looking forward to the year as well.

“I’m excited to just be a part of this program… I’m excited for all the different classes and opportunity it gives,” Inouye said.