By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE –Students in Santa Hymel’s second grade class at LaPlace Elementary School were treated to a special lesson on math and science Tuesday conducted by Louisiana’s first lady, Supriya Jindal.

Jindal’s appearance comes on the heels of the school being awarded a $70,000 donation from Marathon Petroleum for purchase of 10 Promethean interactive whiteboards for the school’s first- and second-grade classes. The donation is part of a grant from Jindal’s Foundation for Louisiana’s Children. LaPlace Elementary is the third school in St. John the Baptist Parish to receive Promethean Boards through the help of the foundation, joining Emily C. Watkins Elementary and Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet.

“Interactive whiteboards are something we are beginning to see transform education across the country,” Jindal said. “We are living in a world now where children of all ages have access to interactive technology, and there just isn’t enough of that in the classroom.”

Jindal explained that the boards help teachers focus on science, math, technology and engineering to help students grasp the concepts at a young age. Jindal encouraged the students to build a strong foundation in those subjects no matter what path they pursue in life.

“Everything around us involves some level of math and science,” Jindal said. “From astronauts who blast off into space to Drew Brees throwing a touchdown for the Saints, everything takes a little bit of math and science.”

LaPlace Elementary Principal Alison Cupit said the school received the boards at the end of last school year. She said all teachers whose classrooms were given boards were also granted a day and a half of professional development from the company that manufactures the boards to ensure proper and effective implementation.