Mack Lyon Middle School science teacher Marla Johnson admires a new mural on her classroom wall painted by eighth graders Olivia Heath and Monse’ Belmont.

A pair of Mack Lyon Middle School eight graders have teamed up to add a little color to their classroom this year. Olivia Heath and Monse’ Belmont spent a good deal of time this summer painting a 20’ x 12’ science mural on the wall in the classroom of Lyon science teacher Marla Johnson.

“In June I asked Olivia if she would be interested in painting the mural on one of my plain classroom walls,” Johnson said. “I asked her because, in addition to being a scholar of science, she also possesses a gift for creative art.”

Heath accepted the invitation and asked a friend, gifted art/science student Monse’ Belmont to assist her.

Johnson gave a set of criteria to the girls in painting the mural. SHe told them that the mural must represent six areas of science. It must represent six of hte greatest and most renown scientists of all time. And it must represent equally three female and three male scientists.

Heath and Monse’ went right to work and painted daily on the mural over the summer.

Last week, Johnson entered her classroom for the first time since the two began and viewed the mural.

“I was absolutely speechless; delighted and in awe when I saw it,” Johnson said.

The mural depicted life-size figures of Jane Goodall holding a chimpanzee, Sir Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree, and Galileo spying through a telescope.

“I actually teared up as I studied the mural and realized the significance it had to the study of science,” Johnson said.