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Sounds of wonderment and appreciation were heard from toddlers to seniors as the moon passed over the sun and science, math, engineering and technology were creatively displayed on Monday, Aug. 21 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s (ESLC) solar eclipse celebration. 

Approximately 600 people convened at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus to enjoy the campus-wide STEM Day, Energy to Educate Showcase and Solar Eclipse Celebration, which was broadcast live on HOT 104.1 FM Radio. The day also included bounce houses and a drone demonstration. 

The event was coordinated by the SIUE East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) and funded in part by a grant from Constellation, an Exelon company, designed to inspire students to think differently about energy. 

Of those attending Monday’s educational event, 100 students were from Lincoln Middle School in East St. Louis and 130 students and staff were from the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS). 

“We thought that the solar eclipse was a perfect opportunity to have a STEM Day for the community,” said ESLC Executive Director Jesse Dixon. “The celebratory event allowed our students and programs to showcase all of the exciting STEM initiatives at the SIUE East St. Louis Center.” 

Interactive STEM activities and displays were available to students and the public in the Multipurpose Room of Building D. Fifteen different STEM-related exhibits captivated the interests of many. Some of those displays included the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start’s “From Land to Sky” station, the SIUE STEM Center’s “Dry Ice,” CHS’s “Green Fire” and SIUE Upward Bound Math and Science’s “STEM Experience.” 

“Ice is made out of carbon dioxide,” explained Matt Johnson, instructional design and curriculum specialist with the SIUE STEM Center, to the group of students looking on. He was showing students how dry ice can react. “You have to put a film on top of it. Dry ice will turn from a solid into gas. It can get so cold that you can get frost bite in seconds.” 

“I’m so excited!” gushed Tanja Streater, eighth grader at Lincoln Middle School, who was at the STEM Center’s display. “I’m enjoying everything. I love to watch science projects and experiments, and I do watch them all the time on YouTube.” 

Streater and friends then moved to the next display where other students were crowded around the CHS table. Johnathan Tate, acting STEM department chair at CHS, informed students that when boric acid is added to flammable fuel, it turns the fire green. 

On the other side of the room, a two-year-old Head Start student and two other children were digging in dirt with gardening tools at the Upward Bound station. 

“This event had STEM-related education and activities for everyone who attended,” said G. Lynnie Bailey, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program director. 

“I wanted to come out because the event was so historical,” said Monica Pollard, a student at Southwestern Illinois College. “I brought my two sons, so they could experience it.” 

“I liked how the corona stood out as the moon began to pass over the sun,” said 15-year-old Al Pollard, a freshman at Belleville West High School. “I want to get into the science field. I like science because it deals with the ‘whys’ in life. 

“I was glad to be here today,” said former CHS English instructor Alsandrya Essien. “I wanted to experience the solar eclipse with our children and be able to see their hunger for education grow. Today’s event and celebration was captivating and magnificent. It was a time to expand our learning and strengthen our community.” 

“Today’s event gave me chills,” said Lara Jennings, director of the LRC. “It was great to watch students, the ESLC family and the Metro East community embrace this momentous occasion. I saw curiosity and wonder come across faces as the moon began to eclipse the sun.” 

With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts. 

Photo courtesy by Jack Williams:
SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School students protect their eyes as they watch the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. 

Johnathan Tate, acting STEM department chair at CHS, explains to students how boric acid can turn flammable fuels into green fire. 

Matt Johnson, instructional design and curriculum specialist with the SIUE STEM Center, tells students about the reactions of dry ice.