News Release > Entergy Arkansas, STEM Coalition helping students safely view eclipse

Entergy Arkansas, STEM Coalition helping students safely view eclipse

04/03/2024

Solar glasses delivered to educational co-ops around the state last week

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas has partnered with the Arkansas STEM Coalition to provide eclipse glasses for free to all PreK-12 public school students, teachers and staff across the state, as much of Arkansas will experience a total eclipse Monday, April 8.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to education and workforce opportunities, Entergy Arkansas shines a light on STEAM field opportunities for students year-round,” said Brandi Hinkle with Entergy Arkansas Corporate Social Responsibility. “Now there’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pique their interest in science as Arkansas will experience a total eclipse, a celestial event that won’t happen for us again for nearly 20 years.”

A grant from Entergy Arkansas helped fund the purchase of more than 600,000 pairs of eclipse glasses, which were distributed to educational cooperatives and charter school offices throughout the state last week, enough for all students, teachers and staff within the Entergy Arkansas service territory. Additional partners helped provide for those outside the 63 counties served by the utility.

“This year’s total solar eclipse is a phenomenon that we want all students to be able to encounter safely,” said Hannah Vogler, executive director for the Arkansas STEM Coalition. “Most of our state being in the path of totality gives Arkansans a unique opportunity to be part of history, experiencing something others may never see in their lifetimes.”

Volunteers from both the STEM Coalition, Entergy Arkansas and other groups worked for more than six weeks to sort and pack up the glasses for delivery to the state’s educational co-ops and charter school offices, which in turn delivered them last week to the school districts.

Nearly two-thirds of the state is inside the path of totality for the eclipse Monday, including large stretches of Interstates 30 and 40 along with miles of state highways, county roads and city streets. The centerline of the eclipse will enter the state around 12:29 p.m. and exit the state at approximately 3:14 p.m. Numerous locations throughout the state will experience total darkness for anywhere from one to four minutes.

Experts say the only safe way to look directly at the sun is through special-purpose solar filters, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology is warning eclipse watchers to use caution when watching the solar eclipse. Appropriate solar filters are found in specially made hand-held viewers and eclipse glasses, purchased from trusted, credible vendors. Entergy Arkansas and the STEM coalition sourced an appropriate vendor to ensure the glasses being provided to students are ISO-12312-2 certified and deemed safe by NASA and the American Astronomical Society.

While widespread power outages are not expected, Entergy Arkansas stands ready to restore power if needed. The company has prepared for the event similarly to actions taken for storm preparation, working with officials from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, Arkansas Department of Transportation and other state and city leaders on a preparedness plan that includes preparing for heavy traffic, monitoring the weather and mobilizing workers and equipment throughout our service area to quickly and safely respond if issues arise. Additional safety measures for customers during the eclipse can be found here.

If your student did not receive eclipse glasses or you need more information about educational tools for the eclipse, contact the Arkansas STEM Coalition or visit their website: www.ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

About The Arkansas STEM Coalition

The Arkansas STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Coalition is the statewide hub of STEM information, created through a robust partnership of leaders from the corporate, education, government, and community sectors. Together we encourage, coordinate, and advocate for policies, strategies, and programs supporting excellence in STEM education and creating pathways to high-demand, highly-skilled, higher-paying jobs that expand the economy of Arkansas. For more information, visit www.ArkansasSTEMCoalition.com.