ST. LOUIS – Around 250 students at North Side Community Elementary School gathered on the soccer field Monday afternoon to watch the solar eclipse.

Before going outside, teachers discussed what a solar eclipse was, why it was so significant, and the importance of protecting their eyes.

Some of the first and second graders in attendance described their first solar eclipse as “awesome” and “unbelievable.”

The event was under the watchful eyes of teachers, administrators, and the school nurse.

“I think for students, this means so much. This is something that they heard about before, but never had a chance to experience,” Jetan Totton, assistant principal, said. “Being able to just experience it with their friends and just be able to experience this (is a) cosmic experience.”

The school received solar eclipse glasses from a local nonprofit, costing them $500. Administrators said the money was well spent to give the kids this experience.