Ford House, Michigan Science Center shine during eclipse event

GROSSE POINTE SHORES — People from across metro Detroit spent an afternoon gazing up in wonder as a near-total solar eclipse took shape in the sky above the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores April 8.

A sold-out crowd of more than 1,000 visitors took part in an eclipse event hosted by the Ford House and the Michigan Science Center, who teamed up to offer an afternoon of interactive, educational fun that attracted a crowd that ranged in age from infants to seniors. Each attendee was given a special pair of eclipse glasses to protect their vision as they took in the breathtaking sight.

“We live just down the road,” said Marta Krol, of Grosse Pointe Shores, a Ford House member. “We come here all the time. It’s just a beautiful place.”

Kathie Steenbergh, of Rochester, brought three of her grandchildren — including Paisley Steenbergh, 9, of Rochester, and her cousin, Stokiely Steenbergh, 4, of Chesterfield Township — to the event, during which kids were able to experience science through hands-on experiments and activities. For Stokiely, this was his first eclipse, as the last one that was widely visible in metro Detroit was in 2017 — about three years before he was born. The cousins had already made paper rockets and shields for their protective eclipse viewing glasses and were en route to make a Lego moon base, Paisley said.

“It’s so exciting,” Kathie Steenbergh said of the eclipse event. “And I love the fact that they have all of these activities. It’s going to be spectacular.”

Cassidy Cleland, 14, of Grosse Pointe Farms, said she has loved space since she was a little kid. The aspiring astro-chemist — a field that combines astronomy and chemistry — said she hopes to work for NASA one day, although not as an astronaut.

“I love being able to experience science in person, as it’s happening,” Cleland said. “Getting to see the science in real life rather than on a screen or in a classroom makes me happy.”

Cleland already has the natural curiosity that’s vital for every scientist. Eclipse event attendees got to satisfy their own curiosity about this phenomenon, as Paulette Epstein — Michigan Science Center director of science partnerships and theaters and one of the science center’s staff astronomers — fielded questions from the crowd as the eclipse started shortly before 3 p.m.

While a total eclipse wasn’t visible to metro Detroiters, Epstein said they would be seeing 99.4% coverage of the sun by the moon. As the sunlight gradually dimmed and the sky took on the color of early evening, visitors felt a noticeable drop in temperatures, a result of losing some light and heat from the sun.

“The world is starting to get a little eerie almost,” Epstein said as the moon’s coverage of the sun increased. Besides becoming darker and colder, she said that wildlife like birds became quieter as they headed for their evening nesting spots because they thought night was coming.

While the Michigan Science Center’s building is large, Epstein said they don’t have the space outdoors to hold an event like this.

“We want to thank the Ford House for hosting us today, because this gives us the opportunity to share this (experience) with the community,” Epstein told the crowd.

For science center staff, the eclipse provided a chance to get more people interested in science.

“We woke up today like it’s Christmas,” said Andrea Harp, chief of staff and director of culture and community for the Michigan Science Center. “It’s fantastic.”

Harp said the center recently received a grant from NASA to conduct youth programs. While kids and families make up the bulk of Michigan Science Center visitors, they have exhibitions and activities for people of all ages.

“We make science relatable and enjoyable and inspiring,” Harp said.

This was the first collaboration between the Ford House and the Michigan Science Center, but won’t be the last, as both nonprofits are exploring other ways they can work together in the future.

“For us, the most exciting thing has been the partnership,” Ford House President and CEO Mark J. Heppner said.

Heppner said this venture is in line with one of their strategic initiatives, which was to make more connections with Detroit.

Mother Nature chipped in by providing a warm, mostly sunny day.

“I’m just thrilled it all came together,” Heppner said.