CLEVELAND, June 23, 2023: Great Lakes Science Center has been awarded a grant from the New York-based Simons Foundation as part of its Eclipse Pathway Partners Community Ambassador Program. The Science Center will identify and support 30 community partners with the training and resources needed for them to become community ambassadors who will lead their own total solar eclipse celebrations in 2024.
On April 8, 2024, a total eclipse of the sun will happen across a portion of the United States including Northeast Ohio and the Greater Cleveland region. The Science Center will be hosting its own Total Eclipse Fest at North Coast Harbor, but also wants to help local organizations and businesses bring their own communities together to celebrate this once in a lifetime phenomenon safely!
Eclipse Ambassadors will be trained in eclipse education, basic astronomy and eclipse viewing safety, and outfitted with equipment including a telescope with a solar viewing filter, educational materials, solar viewing glasses and materials for activities. Each organization will receive a $1,000 stipend for participation. Training sessions will be held between October and December of 2023.
Eligible organizations can include, but are not limited to:
- Community centers
- Youth service organizations
- Recreation centers
- Municipalities
- Neighborhood associations
- Places of worship
- After-school programs (no schools, as the eclipse falls after school hours)
- Arts organizations and museums
- Libraries
The goal of the Ambassador program is to decentralize STEM learning into communities, creating access for all. Participants should represent community organizations, businesses, or municipalities from across Northeast Ohio and should be located in the path of totality. An additional goal of the program is to forge partnerships with groups and institutions that are not already aligned with other Science Center programs.
Apply online at GreatScience.com/eclipse-community-ambassadors-program, or call Karyn Torigoe at 216.696.2760 for more information.