As communities across the state of Indiana prepare for the upcoming total solar eclipse, three O’Neill undergraduate students are using the opportunity to engage in hands-on research.
Environmental management majors Elizabeth Kuebel, Maleeha Mahbub, and Brooke Martoccia were selected as IU Eclipse Scholars by the IU Center for Rural Engagement (CRE). The students received a scholarship from CRE to “investigate how rural Indiana communities use this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event to catalyze social connection through an arts and humanities lens.” In the lead up to the eclipse, they have spent approximately ten hours a week supporting programming in nearby communities and state parks.
Kuebel is supporting the Art Sanctuary in Martinsville as they put together celestial-themed art classes and a community-wide art show.
She says the opportunity has helped her learn “the important role arts and culture plays in creative placemaking and quality of life for rural communities.”
Mahbub is working with the town of English in Crawford County, Ind., to host an event celebrating the community’s rich history. They will be reviving a historic fish stand and organizing a square dance, which Mahbub describes as a “unique opportunity to reconnect residents with their roots and foster a renewed sense of community pride.” Mahbub has also helped pull together a scavenger hunt using elements from the town’s history and geography.
“Through this project,” she says, “I’ve learned the transformative power of community engagement and historical preservation. By actively involving residents in the planning and execution of our event, we’ve been able to create meaningful connections and inspire a collective sense of ownership over our shared heritage.”
Martoccia is working with staff at Monroe Lake to study how state parks prepare for large events. She has created story boards for the Eclipse Night Walk and plans to give a presentation the day before the big event. She also plans on interviewing park visitors before and after the eclipse occurs to get their perspective on the experience.
“I have done a lot of research on the science behind an eclipse, the sun, eclipse folklore, and park visitor engagement,” says Martoccia. “It is amazing how much time goes into planning in state parks for such a large event like this.”
The students will share what they’ve learned from their projects at an eclipse symposium and poster session later this month.
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