Mother Nature may be putting a damper on the solar eclipse viewing, but that's still not stopping Space Center Houston from having some fun.
The science museum spent the week handing out 5,000 packages called "Eclipse in a Box" to students. The box comes with eclipse glasses, activities, and supplies.
“So then they have the information and the science to understand what’s really happening,” said Keesha Bullock, chief marketing and communications officer of Space Center Houston.
Megan McArthur, Houston Space Center Chief Science Officer and a NASA astronaut who flew on the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Crew Dragon Endeavour, helped design the box.
“They can tell their kids about it, or their family and friends about it,” said McArthur. “‘Hey, I remember when I saw this when I was in school,’ and it’s gonna be a lifetime memory.”
Xavier Johnson, a senior at Westbury High School, picked up one of the boxes for his teachers Friday morning on campus.
“I like science, so that’s actually gonna be really cool to do,” said Johnson.
What Houston-area school districts have planned for the solar eclipse
Several school districts around the Houston area are making special plans for the solar eclipse. Those plans include moving classes around, holding special activities, or canceling school altogether.
Cleveland ISD will close on Monday for the eclipse.
According to social media posts, Katy ISD, Spring ISD and Crosby ISD are giving students the chance to view the eclipse.
Alief ISD and Fort Bend ISD will have normal operations.
Houston ISD officials said students throughout the district “will view the eclipse safely as they learn about science.”
Houston will experience a partial solar eclipse with the moon blocking more than 90% of the sun. Maximum totality will happen at 1:40 p.m.
This will be the last solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. until 2044.