Eclipse Investigators
The Eclipse Investigator program is a team of 19 Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts from throughout western Pennsylvania dedicated to space exploration and data observation for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.
The Eclipse Investigators are participating in Einstein's
Incredible Universe, a 3D film for IMAX and giant screen theaters
about Albert Einstein and two female astrophysicists who are putting
his theories to the test. Einstein's Incredible Universe is produced
by Cosmic Picture and executed in partnership with the Great Lakes
Science Center, the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast (DEB) Initiative,
Southern Illinois University (SIU) - Carbondale, the National Girls
Collaborative Project, and the educational research firm Rockman et
al. It is funded by the National Science Foundation with specific
project components also funded by NASA.
As an Eclipse
Investigator, Girl Scouts are tasked with capturing solar imagery and
data during the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. The team will
utilize a telescope, camera, and computer to capture data that will
study the Sun's corona—the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere.
Through participation in Einstein's Incredible Universe, Girl Scouts
will participate in a gender equity in STEM research study.
Throughout the course of the program, January 2024-April 2024,
the Eclipse Investigator team will meet eight times to practice capturing
solar and lunar imagery and data as well as complete activities
to earn four Girl Scout badges and one Girl Scout journey. Girl Scouts
will create a digital presentation documenting their experience while
highlighting information on a total solar eclipse, women in STEM, and
space exploration.