Kristin Motley and Becca Jackson

Motley’s and Jackson’s innovative teaching idea, “Solar System Scholars,” seeks to create a once-in-a-life learning experience for students in their school district, which is in the path of totality for the eclipse in 2024. With the solar eclipse less than a year away, the pair plans to purchase items with the Voya Unsung Heroes grant such as mentor textbooks for students to explore and use as research guides; models of celestial beings; solar eclipse glasses for safely viewing the lunar event; and telescopes for students to check out and use at home with their families, all to help give students a deeper understanding of the solar system.