I am not one for confessional blogging. However, I think that my recent problem may resonate amongst some in the NN blogosphere.
My dearest daughter (DD) is of the age when one gets to participate in a Science Fair. Now, I have wanted to be a scientist for as long as I remember, but recognize that this path is not for everyone. My DD has, from time to time, enquired about what I do and has often accompanied me to the lab (especially while I was in Graduate School). She has a grasp of the Scientific Process and is naturally inquisitive.
So, this year was the first year that she could participate in the Science Fair (but is not required to do so till next year) and this summer I hit upon a brilliant idea for her. And that is why I am now “one of those” Science Fair parents. It wasn’t merely that I had an idea for her, but rather that I had “the” idea for her. That I would not just broach the subject of what she might like to look at, but that I had to bring up the subject with a prepared idea.
Now, we could spend endless hours looking at the why I did what I did, but suffice it to say it was likely something to do with a fear of growing plants (I can’t) and the fact that I am a Scientist. Luckily, we appear now to be at a good place, my wife having provided much counseling to me – with the adequate threats. I, again, realize that the role of the Science Fair is to get kids thinking and learning and having fun not to chase ones own dreams or recapture that innocent beginning of becoming a Scientist (i.e. the thought that experiments usually produce results that are useful the first time). So, I have been talked back, I have returned the library books, I have thanked my work colleagues for all of their inputs, I have shelved the prototypes and now I will talk again with my DD and see what she would like to do.
If you, however, are interested in a ready-to-go guaranteed award-winning project please feel free to contact me.
“now I will talk again with my DD and see what she would like to do”.
Sounds like a good option! And who knows, maybe she wants to do the ready-to-go guaranteed award-winning project!
I never took part in a science fair, but I did judge one a few years ago. The school was in a relatively rough area, but the kids were phenomenal. Some of the ideas they came up with were just amazing. There were some rather sad-looking projects, but the 3 winners had done a really good job. The girls who came third (I thought they deserved a higher place, but I was overruled) came up to us afterwards and thanked us profusely for awarding them a prize. It was a great day, and I wish I still had the flexibility to get out of work early enough to participate.
At work we are encouraged to participate in judges in local fairs as much as possible. I think it is a great opportunity for those of us who have made it this far to go and continue to encourage those just starting out.
I’m tempted! (Just in case DS wants something along those lines, but I’m trying to restrain myself).
Well done!… it was a hard but wise decision…
P.S.: I’m really looking forward this “ready-to-go guaranteed award-winning project”, hahaha!
It’s great that you are encouraging your daughter to be engaged in the field of science. Many girls are not given this encouragement and it’s a real shame. Fortunately, school science fairs are a great opportunity for all kids to explore science with their “science fair projects”:http://www.super-science-fair-projects.com
When I worked for a ‘major biotech company in Southern California’, I volunteered to judge a science fair at a junior high. It was pretty bloody obvious whose parents worked at my company!
My favorite project was a “Do puppies prefer shoelaces or tennis balls?” and essentially served as an excuse for the presenter to have her picture taken with each of her new rottweiler puppies. Good thing she was pretty, because marrying someone else with a job is her best bet in life!
By all means, encourage her in science, but it has to be her mojo.