A plunge into today's classroom awaited the Moore County Board of Commissioners Thursday night in a joint meeting with the Board of Education.

The two boards and their key staff members were escorted into a classroom at Union Pines High School, where teachers and administrators demonstrated techniques used to teach students in the third and eighth grades and high school social studies and science classes.

Equipment demonstrated included the Smart Board and a three-dimensional look into a plant cell and the human head, the latter using special glasses but without "Avatar."

"I'm just in awe. I can't believe it," said Commissioner Cindy Morgan after Board Chairman Tim Lea asked for her reaction to the demonstration.

"If we had had this technology when I was in school, it would almost have been fun," said Commissioner Larry Caddell.

Taking members of the two boards through their paces were teachers Mandy Nall of Carthage Elementary, Michelle Bennett of New Century Middle, Jeremy Blake and Tyler Callahan, both of Union Pines.

More details will appear in the print version of The Pilot.