DAYTON, Ohio — You don’t have to wait until April 8 to learn about the eclipse.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton will not only be a prime location to view the historic event, but for the rest of March and into April, they’re hosting free classes for students.

What You Need To Know

  • National Museum of the USAF is hosting free eclipse activity classes for students

  • Classes run each week until April 8

  • Activities are geared toward different grade levels

  • A livestream is available if you can't make the classes in person

“We love it. We love being here with all of the people, meeting new people, doing the all projects together and doing new things,” said mother Shelly Snow, as she watched her 12-year-old daughter, Avery, and 6-year-old daughter, Addley, make moon phase calendars.

“It’s really fun because it’s crafty, and I love that type of stuff, and actually I’m really into science and all the moons and planets and stuff,” Avery said.

Every week until April 8, the museum is offering the classes geared toward different grades and ages.

“Having to deal with the solar eclipse, it kind of combines the Earth, the moon and the sun. So we’re starting from basics, bringing them up to speed of what is going to be happening on that day,” said Museum Education Specialist Tina Harris.

Different projects include making a pinhole camera, eclipse in a cup and how to create your own glasses.

“I think it’s amazing. I think it’s a great opportunity for my girls to get out and about," Shelly said. "I wish that I had the opportunity when I was younger. I love that they offer this for us, and it’s a great experience."

“I just love seeing that ‘Ah-Ha!’and just the engagement of the students, getting excited about the learning and being able to apply some of the things that they’re learning hands on," Harris said. "So it’s really fun."

For the Snow family, learning about the eclipse has been fun, but they can’t wait for the big day.

“I love watching outer space, and I love watching something that I really like, and that’s what I think,” Addley said, as she finished her project.

“I remember when I was younger I watched an eclipse on the TV, and I always wondered what it would be like to watch it not on television,” Avery said.

“We’re going to come back to the Air Force Museum to watch the eclipse,” Shelly said.

If you’re interested in any of the free classes but can’t come out in person, the museum is offering a livestream of all the activities.

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