To empower educators to take full advantage of this rare occasion, Discovery Education is providing a variety of resources that will serve as a catalyst for the inquiry process and ignite students’ natural sense of curiosity and wonder. Your class can view live footage of the eclipse, participate in a Twitter Chat with a world-renowned astronomer and explore engaging multimedia content, classroom resources and activities, eclipse maps and more!

Aug. 21 from 1:17-1:23 PM ET (10:17-10:23 AM PT)

Our partners at the Science Channel will be capturing every moment of the Great American Eclipse with live coverage on air and online. They will broadcast live in Madras, Oregon – one of the nation’s premiere viewing spots – with astronomers and educators, in partnership with the Lowell Observatory. They will also provide live footage from other prime viewing destinations across America – and you’ll even get a glimpse of the eclipse taken from the International Space Station.

Join our Live Twitter Chat

Aug. 21 from 1-3 PM ET (10-12 PM PT) @DiscoveryEd #CelebrateWithDE

Have your questions answered by world renowned astronomer and astrophysicist, Dr. Jeffrey Hall, Director of the Lowell Observatory. You can also share your experience and see pictures from classrooms around the country, as the Great American Eclipse travels from Oregon through South Carolina.

Host a Viewing Party

We’ve created some useful tips to help you host a viewing party for your class, school, or community. This Viewing Party Guide will give you guiding questions, hands-on activities, and content recommendations by grade band.

Access On-Demand Video and Classroom Resources

We’ve created a collection of solar eclipse resources for K-12 classrooms inside Discovery Education Streaming and Science Techbook. You’ll find a variety of multimedia options, from videos and maps to pictures and lesson starters, accessible using your Discovery Education login. Don’t have access to Discovery Education Streaming or Science Techbook? Start a free trial today.

Grades K-12, Assorted Resources

A solar eclipse is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. During a solar eclipse, the moon partially or totally blocks Earth’s view of the sun. This content collection was curated by our content team at Discovery Education to highlight some of the best resources in our services.

Our Sun: Physical Characteristics

Grades K-5; Video Segment [06:52]

The sun is a large ball of hot gases. It is much larger than Earth.

Introduction: The Moon

Grades K-5; Video Segment [01:24]

What do you think of when you look at the moon? This clip introduces the moon.

Day and Night

Grades K-8; Full Video [10:04]

What causes day and night? This engaging program uses vivid animations to help answer this often difficult-to-teach concept.

Space Exploration: Moon’s Surface

Grades 3-5; Video Segment [01:30]

Looking at the moon from Earth, you might not realize that the moon is covered with mountains, valleys, and millions of craters.

Total Solar Eclipse: Countdown Begins to Great American Eclipse of 2017

Grades 3-12; Full Video [00:36]

The United States has started counting down to a total solar eclipse that will be visible from coast to coast on August 21, 2017.

Catching a Solar Eclipse

Grades 6-8; Video Segment [04:30]

Shares astronomers perspectives of and attempts to view solar eclipses.

Viewing a Total Eclipse: An Event to Be Remembered

Grades 6-8; Video Segment [02:57]

See a total eclipse using special telescope filters and sunglasses.

The Sun’s Atmosphere

Grades 6-12; Video Segment [03:12]

During a solar eclipse in India, Brian Cox witnesses the Sun’s atmosphere.

Thanks for celebrating the Great American Eclipse of 2017 with Discovery Education. Remind your students to remember to look to the sky again on April 8, 2024, when the next total solar eclipse will be visible from the United States.