Supriya Jindal connects with students
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A class of fourth-graders put their science and math knowledge to work Friday when Louisiana’s first lady Supriya Jindal challenged them to build sirens, doorbells and alarms.
Jindal, along with LSU graduate students in engineering, helped Scotlandville Elementary School students build the electronic equipment by using a manual and a science set that included color-coded parts that snap together to build circuits.
Jindal volunteered to work with Scotlandville students in Teach for America teacher Eva Kemp-Melder’s class. It was part of Teach for America week in Louisiana from Monday to Friday.
During the week, Jindal also worked with students in St. Landry, Pointe Coupee, East Feliciana and Orleans parishes.
Kemp-Melder said the project helped students connect their studies with real life engineering applications.
Following work on the projects, Jindal, who has worked as an engineer, explained engineering concepts.
“An important principle with circuits is to make sure everything is connected,” Jindal told the class of 16 students. She also explained that circuits must have a power source to function.
Naphteria Hynard, 11, not only helped her team complete the “fun” project, she found a role model in the process.
“I want to be an engineer like Mrs. Jindal,” Hynard said.
Jindal once worked as a chemical engineer for Monsanto Chemicals, a plant along the Mississippi River. She later worked for Albemarle Corp. in various positions.
When her husband Bobby Jindal was elected governor in 2007, she put her career on hold, she said.
Jindal encouraged students to read and study geography and history.
“Kids are naturally curious and inquisitive, and with these projects you can predict the outcomes and then watch it come together,” Jindal said.
Several company presidents visited schools throughout the week, said Sarah Young, Teach for America development manager for south Louisiana.
“It gives politicians, business and community leaders a chance to see what it’s like to teach in the classroom and to learn about it,” Young said.
LSU graduate student Charisma Edwards, who is working toward her Ph.D., said she grew interested in engineering in elementary school.
“If the interest is started early on, it will help them later,” said Edwards, who added that she learned by asking many questions and urged students to do the same. “If you understand the whys and hows, you can have a deeper understanding of a subject.”
Teach For America is the national corps of recent college graduates and professionals from all academic majors and career interests who commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools, Young said.
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