Eclipse celebration planned at Southeast Missouri State University

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – An eclipse celebration is planned to close out Southeast Missouri State University’s sesquicentennial celebration on Monday, April 8.

Educational opportunities, fun, games, and one of the greatest shows on earth.

Cape Girardeau is near the eclipse centerline and will experience totality (darkness as the moon passes in front of the sun) for more than four minutes starting at 1:58:15 p.m.

Classes are canceled from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. on April 8 to allow students to enjoy the festivities. University offices will be closed from 1:30–2:30 p.m.

A block party will begin on Normal Avenue at 11 a.m. It will include inflatables, a telescope, hands on activities, carnival games, food trucks, student organization fair, Greek Week activities and a teach-in with speakers from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Academic Auditorium.

Two teach-in presentations will be held, one at 11:30 a.m. and one at 12:30 p.m. The presentations will include details on the Artemis Program, scientific research related to the eclipse and careers with NASA and related space related organizations.

The Holland College of Arts and Media and the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are collaborating to create a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) event. Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m. and include performances, hands-on activities, a telescope, sunscreen ratings test presentation, food trucks, museum NASA and eclipse exhibitions, and more.

Normal Avenue will be closed the day of the event.