OUR PROGRAM HAS ENDED!  

We fulfilled 335 applications and distributed more than 163,000 solar glasses in our "Solar Glasses for Kids" program at no cost to schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, veterans, libraries, cities and various non-profit organizations.  We appreciate the generous donations from the general public, a donation of 50,000 glasses from MasterCard International and a donation of 10,000 glasses from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.  Many thanks for your great support! 

Here is a list of organizations receiving glasses from our program:

Program Overview:

1. What are goals of the program? The goal of the program is to promote safe viewing practices for the August 21, 2017 Total Solar Eclipse by providing ISO certified solar glasses to as many pre-collegiate schools as possible located in the Greater St. Louis area. Priority will be given to schools with the greatest percent of free and reduced lunch students and/or the lowest amount of per pupil expenditures.

2. Who can apply? Applications must be made by an authorized school representative of a public, private or parochial pre-K-12 school located in the Missouri counties of Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, City of St. Louis, Crawford, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, Pike, Perry, St. Charles, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois,  St. Louis, Warren, Washington or Wayne, or the Illinois counties of Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe or St. Clair.

3. Are the solar glasses safe? The solar glasses are ISO certified glasses that are manufactured and distributed by Rainbow Symphony in California, one of the leading manufacturers of solar glasses.

4. How many glasses will be available for distribution? The program currently has more than 160,000 solar glasses available for distribution to schools.  This includes a 50,000 glasses donation from MasterCard.

5. How many glasses can a school receive? Schools can receive one pair of glasses per student and staff member. The task force reserves the right to limit the number of glasses provided to each school. If a school has already received a quantity of glasses from other sources, this amount will be deducted from the quantity provided.

6. What is the cost to the school? There will be no cost to the school if they are awarded glasses.

7. Are there any restrictions regarding the glasses? The glasses are intended to be used by students and staff of the school. They cannot be resold to raise funds for school activities or programs.

8. What is the application process?  An authorized representative of the school must complete the application. If awarded the glasses, an authorized representative must pick up the glasses based on arrangements with our task force.

9. How will the decision be made on what school districts will receive glasses? Allocation of solar glasses to schools will be made at the sole discretion of the St. Louis Eclipse Task Force. However, the intent of the Task Force is to allocate solar glasses to school based upon the following factors:

   • The number of solar glasses available by distribution by the St. Louis Eclipse Task Force.

   • Agreement by authorized school representatives to pick up their solar glasses based on arrangements outlined by the St. Louis Eclipse Task Force.

   • Priority will be given to schools with the greatest percent of free and reduced lunch students and/or the lowest amount of per pupil expenditures.

   • For schools of similar size and economic demographics, earlier applications will receive priority over later applications.

   • The number of solar glasses already available by the school for use by students/staff.

10. When will schools be notified if they will receive an allotment of glasses? Schools will be notified by email if they will receive an allotment of solar glasses. Schools that have not picked up their allotment of glasses based on arrangements may forfeit their allotment.