Fifth-graders from Pinckney School shared the stage with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Topeka, high-ranking Kansas University officials, and, of course, Baby Jay on Friday during a presentation in Topeka of a $2.4 million grant aimed at increasing the number of math and science teachers.

The grant will benefit UKanTeach, which leads to a degree in science or math as well as a teaching license in four years. KU was one of 12 schools that received the National Math and Science Initiative grant out of 50 applicants.

After officials spoke, several of the fifth-graders asked questions about the proposal and then posed for photographs with state leaders and Baby Jay.

They were taking notes on reporter notepads provided by the Lawrence Journal-World, and then were going to write stories about the event.

NMSI is a nonprofit organization committed to improving technological innovation in the United States. It was started by a $125 million contribution from ExxonMobil and has also received funds form the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.