Eclipse Soundscapes Observer Role Training and Implementation Manual (2023–2024)

The Eclipse Soundscapes Observer Role Training and Resources Manual (2023–2024) documents the instructional design, participation architecture, accessibility framework, and communication protocols used to prepare volunteer scientists serving in the Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) Observer role during the October 14, 2023 annular solar eclipse and the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. This manual preserves the scaffolded, multisensory, and accessibility-informed training approach implemented to support geographically distributed public participation in time-sensitive scientific observation. It reflects iterative improvements between 2023 and 2024, including structured, role-specific, time-relevant communications to reduce confusion and reinforce core protocols. The document serves as both a historical record of ES Observer role implementation and a reusable framework for participatory science project design, inclusive instructional planning, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL)-informed public engagement. This record includes the ES-created instructional video files referenced in the manual to preserve the complete training context as originally delivered. Overview The Eclipse Soundscapes Observer Role Training and Resources Manual (2023–2024) documents the training materials, participation structures, accessibility considerations, and communication protocols used to prepare volunteer scientists serving in the Eclipse Soundscapes (ES) Observer role. The manual compiles guidance originally delivered through the Eclipse Soundscapes website, live and recorded training webinars, structured email communications, and downloadable field materials. It reflects the information made publicly available to participants during the 2023 and 2024 eclipse periods and is preserved as a historical and methodological record of role implementation. This document demonstrates how scaffolded instructional design, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and structured communication sequencing were intentionally integrated into a large-scale NASA-supported participatory science project. ES Observer Role Learning Objectives The ES Observer role was designed as a multisensory, place-based scientific learning experience. Through participation, individuals had the opportunity to: Conduct structured, real-time environmental observations during a solar eclipse. Practice multisensory observing techniques, including auditory, visual, tactile, and contextual noticing. Interpret eclipse timing data (eclipse maximum and percentage of Sun coverage) in relation to their geographic location. Record and submit qualitative observations using a structured survey instrument. Contribute experiential data to a publicly archived scientific dataset documenting environmental responses to short-duration astronomical events. Participation in the Observer role supported experiential engagement with qualitative data collection, environmental pattern recognition, temporal awareness, and reflective scientific documentation. These opportunities align with broader NASA Science Activation goals to increase public use of NASA eclipse data assets and to advance understanding of the process of science through authentic participation in observation, documentation, and data submission workflows. Instructional and Implementation Framework The ES Observer role was intentionally designed to support: Multisensory scientific observation (auditory, visual, tactile, environmental cues) Clear definition of eclipse maximum across annular, total, and partial contexts Standardized observation timing (minimum 10 minutes before, during, and after maximum) Accurate geographic reporting in Decimal Degrees format Solar eclipse safety compliance aligned with NASA, AAS, NOAA, and NSF guidance Youth privacy protections and age-based certificate workflows Accessible form design and screen-reader compatibility Multiple means of representation and engagement consistent with UDL principles Following participant feedback and increased pre-eclipse confusion during the 2023 annular eclipse, structured role-specific email communications were implemented in 2024. These communications provided just-in-time reminders, reinforced key preparation steps, and scaffolded participant readiness in the weeks leading up to and immediately following the eclipse. This communication strategy reflected iterative project management practices and adaptive instructional refinement. Contents The manual includes: Observer Role Overview and Requirements Structured Email Communication Timeline (2024) Training webinar overview and recording link Asynchronous online training modules Latitude and longitude formatting instructions Eclipse maximum definitions (annular, total, partial) Solar eclipse safety materials (English and Spanish) Multisensory observation guidance Eclipse day instructions Submission form preview (Qualtrics) Field notes templates (English and Spanish) Certificate templates (English and Spanish) Data transparency note Appendices include the original sign-up form, submission form preview, safety materials, field note templates, and certificates used during implementation. Included Video Files (ES-Created Materials Only) This record includes instructional videos created by the Eclipse Soundscapes team and referenced within the manual: ES Observer Training Webinar Observing with ALL Senses What Is Solar Eclipse Maximum? The October 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse Path — What and Where Is It? October 14, 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Path by State These files are included to preserve the original instructional environment delivered to ES Observers. Videos referenced in the manual that were produced by external organizations (for example NASA, or other partners) are not included in this record and remain the property of their respective creators. All ES-created videos except the ES Observer Training Webinar are also archived as separate Zenodo records with individual DOIs. The training webinar is archived within this manual record to preserve implementation context. Relationship to ES Data Records This manual documents the participant preparation framework associated with the ES Observer qualitative datasets archived separately on Zenodo. While this record contains no participant-submitted data, it provides essential methodological context for interpreting publicly released observation datasets. Observation data submitted through project forms were deidentified prior to public release. Personal identifiers, certificate-related information, and optional participation tracking fields were removed from archived datasets. Severino, M., Bauer, D. J., & Volunteer Scientist. (2026). Eclipse Soundscapes 2023 Observer Role Data: Qualitative Observation Data Collected During the Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, 2023 [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18432379 Severino, M., Bauer, D. J., & Volunteer Scientist. (2026). Eclipse Soundscapes 2024 Observer Role Data: Qualitative Observation Data Collected During the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18508077 Project Context The Eclipse Soundscapes Project (ES) was a NASA Volunteer Science project funded by NASA Science Activation (Award No. 80NSSC21M0008). The project studied how solar eclipses affect life on Earth by combining instrumental audio recordings and qualitative multisensory observations collected by volunteer scientists. Eclipse Soundscapes was an enterprise of ARISA Lab, LLC. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASA. Community and Portfolio Inclusion This resource is part of the NASA Science Activation (SciAct) Eclipse 2023–24 portfolio and is indexed within the SciAct Eclipse Zenodo community to support cross-project discovery and reuse. This resource is part of the Eclipse Soundscapes project and is indexed within the Eclipse Soundscapes Zenodo community to support project-level aggregation, documentation, and long-term reuse. The DOI associated with this record is the authoritative citation for this resource. Community listings support aggregation and discovery but do not replace the formal DOI citation. SciAct Portfolio Community CitationNASA SciAct Eclipse 2023–24, Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/communities/sciact_eclipse Project Community CitationEclipse Soundscapes, Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/communities/eclipsesoundscapes Video Materials and Map Attribution This record includes instructional videos created by MaryKay Severino for the Eclipse Soundscapes project. The videos were originally delivered through the Eclipse Soundscapes website, ARISA Lab communications, and associated training channels and are preserved here to maintain a complete archival snapshot of the ES Observer training framework. Only ES-created video materials are included in this record. Videos produced by external organizations that are referenced in the manual are not included. With the exception of the ES Observer Training Webinar, each included ES-created video is also archived as a standalone Zenodo record with its own DOI and metadata. Inclusion within this manual record ensures long-term preservation of the training ecosystem as implemented during 2023–2024. Maps appearing within the videos are courtesy of Michael Zeiler of GreatAmericanEclipse.com and were used with permission for educational purposes. While the videos themselves are original Eclipse Soundscapes materials, the map imagery remains the intellectual property of Michael Zeiler and GreatAmericanEclipse.com and is not licensed for independent reuse through this Zenodo record. Any reuse of the videos should retain the original map attribution contained within the video materials. Rights and License Clarification This record is distributed u