They will be able to see next August’s total eclipse almost without leaving home — their villages will be privileged viewing spots. The idea is for them to discover it first at school, together with their classmates. Closer to the Sun is visiting 10 schools across the province of Teruel to explain, almost like a game, a phenomenon that hasn’t been seen on the Iberian Peninsula for a century.

A simple hand game helps them begin to understand cosmic distances; a desk lamp turns into the Sun; and they create the shadows cast by an eclipse — or even make a plasticine Moon to reproduce their own. These are just three examples of the mix of hands-on learning and fun used to simplify concepts and explain the science behind an eclipse. The aim is to understand cosmic coincidence, movement and light, or the phases of the Moon. The materials, activities, and content have been developed by the CEFCA’s UCC+I, with input from researchers and teachers.

A total of about 700 students take part, most of them in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. The explanation starts in the classroom and soon moves to the schoolyard, where binoculars with solar filters and a solar telescope are waiting for them to observe the Sun directly. Then it’s time to step into a researcher’s shoes and count sunspots. The goal is for them to learn how to use eclipse glasses properly and receive the training they need to enjoy the upcoming eclipse safely.

The activity combines audiovisual materials with two specific resources: a teaching guide and a set of explanatory panels. The ad hoc guide reviews everything from the types of eclipses we will experience over the next three years to the phenomena to look for during that brief minute and a half when the Sun disappears — marking a highlight of the coming summer. In addition, panels featuring real photographs of the Sun explain its features, layers, and phenomena such as the aurora borealis.

Closer to the Sun is one of eight Cultural and Scientific Outreach projects supported by the Instituto de Estudios Turolenses of the Provincial Government of Teruel, visiting various schools across the 10 counties of the province. In some cases, these are Rural Cluster Schools, which allows students from several towns to take part and broadens the project’s reach. Specifically, it will visit Albarracín, Mirambel, Alcañiz, Calamocha, Híjar, Cedrillas, Mora de Rubielos, Aliaga, Valderrobres, and Andorra.

The project brings an astronomical spectacle — the eclipse — closer to both children and their families, so they can enjoy it and observe it safely. At the same time, children discover science and the research projects taking place in their own province. The activity will be extended to schools in the city of Teruel starting in the spring.