Challenger Learning Center hosts Solar Eclipse Viewing Event

The Challenger Learning Center will be celebrating a rare celestial event on April 8 on the campus of Heartland Community College. 

Heartland’s Challenger Learning Center (CLC) is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the college’s Main Campus in Normal. 

The Great North American Solar Eclipse of 2024 marks the first total eclipse to take place in the U.S. since 2017. 

Registrants for this free community event will receive complimentary solar viewing glasses to safely witness the eclipse, see a demo explain the eclipse and have the opportunity to explore the Challenger Learning Center. 

The event will begin at the Astroth Community Education Center, where the safety glasses will be distributed. Kids will participate in an interactive game which explains the science behind the eclipse before heading outside to view the event near Heartland’s Birky Pond.

The event is free but registration is requested at heartland.edu/clc. 

The mission of the Challenger Learning Center is to engage secondary school students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, and provide an outlet to learn and apply important life skills. Students from across the Midwest have participated in over 315 STEM experiences and 7,292 students completed a STEM experience last year.