With a giggle and a grin, fifth-grader Lauren Podjun removed a Kodak disposable camera from her desk and turned toward the much taller man standing next to her.

"Could I get my picture with you?" she asked.

The man next to her, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso R-Wyo., smiled and said yes. It was only fair - it was Podjun's 10th birthday, and she gave the senator one of her homemade birthday cookies.

Podjun's birthday coincided with Barrasso's visit to her class at Verda James Elementary School Thursday.

Another student in Alison Seago's fifth-grade class invited Barrasso to speak because they're learning U.S. history this year. Seago said the students got a crash course in government before the visit but will learn more as the year goes on.

Despite their young age and sparse knowledge of government, the students asked big, thoughtful questions about lawmaking, energy and the role of the government in citizens' private lives.

"I love coming into classrooms, especially fifth-graders, because they ask good questions," Barrasso said.

Barrasso fielded questions about writing laws ("the best way to write the law is to help the most people without hurting anyone," he said). They asked how he became a senator (he was appointed by the governor). The class discussed reasons for enacting a law against texting while driving (most said it was OK if you're not distracted).

There was only one question he didn't answer: What's the president's phone number? Asked what they would work on if they were the president, students gave answers that included affordable housing, lower taxes and fewer days of school.

When one student said, "I think the government should stay out of people's way with choices," Barrasso offered her his business card and a job in his office.

Madison Wilhelm, who invited Barrasso, asked him what America will look like when she finishes high school. He turned the question back on the class. Hands flew up, and nearly everyone had an idea or invention for the future. Shoes will have computer capabilities, and cars will drive themselves - using solar energy - according to the students.

Barrasso told them that they can make those things happen. He encouraged them to be good students and continue with higher education in Wyoming with the help of Hathaway scholarships.

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard.