Being a science teacher doesn’t always involve glamorous moments.
Rick Crosslin has a unique project that involves sifting through owl pellets as an educational tool for fifth-graders. These pellets are regurgitated by owls and help teach students about the bird’s carnivorous diet. On his YouTube page, Crosslin shares gravity demonstrations and provides commentary on “very interesting microworms.” Although some videos only receive a few dozen to a few hundred views, his channel is a labor of love.
Monday will mark a significant moment for Crosslin in Indianapolis and science teachers nationwide. The much-anticipated total solar eclipse will finally grace the skies, providing a unique opportunity for observation and exploration.
“It’s like our very own Super Bowl or Taylor Swift concert,” exclaimed Crosslin, an expert teacher known for her innovative hands-on science projects at the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township in west Indianapolis.
Crosslin, 70, has put in a lot of effort for this day.
He played a crucial role in obtaining numerous eclipse glasses for students in his district, where a majority of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. As part of a do-it-yourself initiative, he crafted a festive mask out of a paper plate, shimmering tinsel, and a glue gun to replicate the sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere that is visible during an eclipse.
To assist students in visualizing the process, his most ambitious undertaking was the construction of a colossal eclipse model.
He enlisted the help of the maintenance department in his school district to bring his vision to life.
During lunch breaks and after work, a passionate public school teacher built a model using spare parts. The model was crafted from items such as a leftover pole from a volleyball net, an old chair, and even the motor from a truck’s windshield wiper. Although on a public school budget, Crosslin managed to raise funds to purchase the foam balls representing the sun and the Earth.
The project lasted approximately six months, and Crosslin became quite well-known in the maintenance department. He recalled that his colleagues would often jokingly remark, “Oh, here he comes! What does he want?”
Todd Hendricks, the facilities director of the school district, expressed his willingness to assist with the matter.
According to Hendricks, who collaborated with his colleague Matt Liles, everything they do at the organization is typically unseen and unnoticed. As long as everything is functioning properly, nobody really pays attention to what goes on behind the scenes. However, Hendricks believes that their model serves as a valuable educational tool for children, providing them with an opportunity to learn and grow.
Initially, a major issue arose: it proved to be too tall to pass through the school doors.
Crosslin made some minor modifications to the model and then took it on a tour to Wayne Township schools last week. He named the model the “Giant Orrery,” referring to a mechanical model of the solar system.
Like many other districts in the path of totality, Wayne Township decided to cancel classes on Monday. However, Crosslin and his model will be present at a local museum, where Crosslin will assist in counting down to the moment of totality. He hopes that this experience will become a cherished memory for a lifetime.
The next total solar eclipse in Indianapolis is not expected for another 129 years, so it’s safe to say that I won’t be around to witness that one.
