Sheridan students, staff share solar eclipse experience with Brampton long-term care residents

Students and staff from Sheridan's Social Service Worker (SSW) and SSW - Gerontology programs helped local long-term care residents maximize their experience of this week's total solar eclipse.

The group of students and staff visited Extendicare Brampton on Monday, April 8 to educate residents about the eclipse, provide viewing glasses and witness the rare spectacle together.

Extendicare residents who participated provided the following feedback about the experience:

• “I had a blast witnessing this moment, feeling cooler air as the eclipse was happening, and seeing everyone come together to experience this.”
• “It was so fun, even though when I put on the viewing glasses, I couldn’t see anything (at first). When we looked up, I could see the eclipse. I have never seen this before. It was supernatural.”
• “Thank you to Sheridan College and their students for coming to our home and sharing this once in-a-lifetime (or, for some of us, twice-in-a-lifetime) experience. Students were very helpful and friendly.”
• “I’m so thankful to Sheridan College that kindly gave us the safety glasses so we could experience this magical moment. Otherwise, I could not access these glasses myself.”

Extendicare, whose Brampton location is adjacent to Sheridan's Davis Campus, is one of the college's largest long-term care placement partners. Over the past calendar year, 73 students have been placed at Extendicare homes, including 23 students in Sheridan's SSW - Gerontology program.

“What a wonderful experience it was to watch the solar eclipse with the residents, staff and Sheridan College,” said Maria Rojas, Brampton Extendicare’s Resident Programs Manager. “I’m so thankful for the partnership we have with Sheridan. The students bring so much joy to the residents, and, in turn, the students get to learn so much about life in a long-term care home.”

Extendicare residents and staff enjoy watching the solar eclipse with Sheridan students and faculty. Many residents also reminisced with students about their memories of the last time a total solar eclipse was seen in Ontario in 1979.

Three Extendicare residents try on their new solar eclipse viewing glasses, with assistance from two Sheridan students. Sheridan provided approximately 75 pairs of glasses for Extendicare's residents and staff.

Students in Sheridan's SSW - Gerontology program lead an education session with Extendicare residents. The session featured a PowerPoint presentation, a demonstration of how to use solar eclipse viewing glasses and one-on-one interactions between students and residents.

An Extendicare resident holds a copy of the fact sheet Sheridan students created to provide information about the solar eclipse. The fact sheet included a detailed explanation of what causes a solar eclipse, the stages of a solar eclipse, tips on how to safely enjoy the viewing experience, insight into why NASA studies eclipses, and more.