Recent Press Releases
2/15/00
Growing Partnerships for the Future
Gonzales, La. - For the third year in a row, the Louisiana Ammonia Producers (LAP) is donating about 250 science school kits to teachers in the River Parishes. This is part of a multi-year effort to discuss the benefits of ammonia produced in Louisiana and improve Louisiana students' math and science skills.

LAP will target more than 5,000 second graders in a six-parish region with the award winning school kits, titled "Raising Radishes with Amazing Ammonia." The kits are designed to teach children about plant growth and how ammonia fertilizers help farmers grow enough food to feed the world.

"What's unique about the fertilizer school kit is its ability to educate children about the product we make -- ammonia -- and at the same time help teach them basic math and science skills at a very early age, so when they do take the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) test in 4th grade they will be more prepared," said Judy Nordgren of Borden Chemicals and Plastics.

LAP has worked with the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators (LRCE) since the inception of the program in 1997. This year, the industry association partnered with the Department of Education to enhance the merits of the program.

"We all have a role to play in preparing our children for a competitive future, " said State Superintendent of Education Cecil J. Picard. "I'm glad to see that the schools in the River Parishes have strong partners. All schools should be so lucky, and I urge more businesses to follow this example to improve student learning. "

Picard went on to say that this effort is especially important in light of the new challenges facing students and schools. In September 1999, the state released the first School Performance Scores, showing how Louisiana public schools are doing in educating students. In March 2000, students will take state tests, and fourth- and eighth-graders will have to pass these tests before advancing to the next grade.

"This is an exciting time for education in Louisiana," said Nordgren. "To improve education, we really believe it's going to take a lot of cooperation and teamwork from business, education and government. When we come to the table as partners to work toward a common goal, we will begin to see results. And that is exactly what this partnership is all about."

The "Raising Radishes with Amazing Ammonia" lesson plan was originally developed in 1997 by Latrenda Knighten, a science specialist in East Baton Rouge Parish. Since then, Roxson Welch, LRCE education director, has modified the lesson plan to highlight the LEAP skills and has also spearheaded the teacher training sessions for each parish.

"Second grade is an opportune time to introduce children to these critical skills," said Welch. "The program uses fun activities to teach important lessons about chemistry and growing food. The sooner we reach these children and excite them about learning, the better they will do in school. "

The school kits have been made available for use in second grade classes in both public and private schools in Ascension, Assumption, St. John, St. James, St. Charles and parts of Iberville and Jefferson parishes. This year more than 200 second grade teachers were invited to attend the school kit training session in Gonzales at the Holiday Inn on February 15.

"This is a pivotal time for Louisiana education, and I want to commend the River Parish companies for putting their money and their time into such a meaningful program that will make a real difference in the classrooms in their communities," concluded Picard. "Businesses can do much more for their schools than dip into their pocketbooks. They can offer their expertise and their vision with programs like this. "

The LAP member companies who are sponsoring the "Raising Radishes with Amazing Ammonia" include Borden Chemicals and Plastics (Geismar), CF Industries (Donaldsonville), Cytec Industries (Waggaman), IMC-Agrico (Faustina, Uncle Sam, Taft), PCS Nitrogen (Geismar) and Triad Nitrogen (Donaldsonville). Together these companies employ about 3,000 people, contribute $30 million to the economy in local and state taxes every year and purchase more than $450 million in goods and services from businesses across south Louisiana.

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