Each year, second graders at an upstate New York elementary school take learning about the solar system to a new level with a big presentation. To add to the excitement this year, they got to learn about the upcoming solar eclipse.

Aislynn Kimberly dressed up as Jupiter for her class’s “Planet Runway” presentation.

“It felt way less scary than I expected it to,” Kimberly said.

That’s because Kimberly and her classmates shared facts about a planet they picked for family and friends while showing off the costumes they designed themselves.

“Planet Runway was really fun,” Kimberly said.

Kimberly’s teacher at Riccardi Elementary School, Frances Murphy, has been putting on the show with her second graders for about 10 years as a way of incorporating some fun into their solar system unit.

“Teaching the standards is great. I think that creativity is also very important. And you put the two of those together and you end up sometimes with something bigger,” Murphy said. “I think also it creates this excitement for science and further learning.”

To add to that excitement, the students are also learning about the upcoming total solar eclipse.

“They're learning about the sun; they're learning about the moon; and put the two of that together,” Murphy said. “They also learn about the phases of the moon and how that works and rotation and revolution. So I think that gives them a better understanding of what is happening.”

Along with learning about the solar system, the students work on their research, writing, listening and performing skills, helping them build confidence at a young age.

“I’m always proud of them. They always surprise me by how well they remember their lines, some of their pizazz up there, the poses, you know, it is supposed to be a fashion show,” Murphy said.

While Kimberly enjoyed working on the project with her classmates, teacher and parents, she feels like there’s an important, deeper reason for learning about the planets.

“In case you become an astronaut, that you know what to do,” Kimberly said.

The students in the Saugerties Central School District, along with many other districts throughout the state, will get to enjoy the day off, or have a half day, to see the eclipse for both fun and safety reasons on Monday.