Paul Smith’s College students Emma Gniewek and Wesley Burkit — both seniors and both leaders of the college’s astronomy club — came to talk with the students about the rare and special solar event, how to safely view it, how ancient cultures interpreted eclipses and what happens in space to make it happen.

Students were also each given a pair of eclipse glasses to be able to safely see it.

Bloomingdale Elementary Principal Katie Laba said she wanted to bring people in to talk to her students about the eclipse, so she emailed Saranac Lake Central School District Board of Education member and Paul Smith’s College professor Joe Henderson, who connected the elementary school with the college astronomy club. Laba said she was impressed with Gniewek and Burkit’s ability to distill high-concept scientific ideas like particle physics, gravitational rotation and the creation of the moon to an elementary level.

The two had never done a presentation like this before, but put together a slide show and answered questions for around half an hour.

Olivia Munn raises her hand to ask a question about the total solar eclipse at a special Bloomingdale Elementary School assembly with Paul Smith’s College astronomy club members on Wednesday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Kids asked questions about how the sun and the moon can be the same size. Gniewek explained how even though the sun is “super-duper” big, because it is “super-duper” far away, it appears the same size as the moon from Earth.

Students wanted to know if they can see an eclipse while they are on spring break in North Carolina. Burkit said that they’ll still be able to see the partial eclipse and explained how to view it through a colander, and how to use the glasses safely.

The college students told the elementary students about myths from ancient human history that show how people from China and Egypt explained the eclipse, like a dragon eating the sun, or the sun and moon sharing a hug.

Students asked how a dragon could safely eat the sun, and Burkit pointed out that dragons are known to breath fire. Then students wondered about what would happen if there was a water dragon.

Gniewek saw the 2017 partial eclipse in southeastern Michigan. But neither of them have seen a total solar eclipse and they’re both excited to be here in the direct path of totality.

Emma Charland tries on a pair of eclipse glasses given to her at a special Bloomingdale Elementary School assembly with Paul Smith’s College astronomy club members on Wednesday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Paxton Bixler and Everett Gorgas raise their hands to ask questions about the total solar eclipse at a special Bloomingdale Elementary School assembly with Paul Smith’s College astronomy club members on Wednesday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)

Maddy Pulsifer raises her hand to ask a question about the total solar eclipse at a special Bloomingdale Elementary School assembly with Paul Smith’s College astronomy club members on Wednesday. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)