This will be a tough lesson to unlearn - and these students will grow up to become parents who won't let their own children outside during an eclipse. A chance to obtain knowledge about eclipses was lost. There are a number of imaginative ways to view the eclipse indirectly. The problem is the temptation to look at the sun longer than we normally would during an eclipse. Eye damage can occur because of the way our eyes focus light.
Light enters the eye through the cornea.
On the back of the eye the light is focused on the retina, which detects the light and sends electrical signals for sight to the brain. In a way, the system works something like a magnifying glass. It's like focusing sunlight through a magnifying glass and burning paper. With proper viewing methods and supervision of children, an eclipse can be enjoyable, educational, and awe inspiring. But if the eclipse is greeted with fear, either from the idea of liability or the lack of knowledge, it can turn into a nightmare.