Taylor and the Science Fair

Back in January, Taylor brought home a letter from school stating that her 5th grade class was required to participate in the Science Fair.  My first thought was, "Oh Hell!"  I hated the Science Fair when I was a kid.  I still hate the idea of science projects.  Basically, science just isn't my thing, and I really wasn't looking forward to this horror and mess.


So, Taylor wasted weeks trying to figure out what she wanted to do.  Mandy, however, wanted to participate and had everything all planned out, but then refused to follow through.  Taylor decides that she doesn't want to do this on her own, so she buddies up with her BFF, Kendyll.  Oh crap - now I have to work around someone else's schedule as well??  Life in my house isn't already chaotic??


Whew....deep breath...now, if I had had the Internet as a kid, I don't think I would have minded doing the science projects.  There's Sciencebuddies.org and all of the ideas you could possibly want with the steps for the experiment AND you can sort by grade level or area of interest.  How much easier could this be?!


Finally, Taylor and Kendyll chose their idea for their project.  I am bugging Taylor daily at this point to make sure that she and Kendyll are doing their research at school and getting as much of the written work out of the way and together as possible.  Finally, the girls get together to do their experiment - and it's at my house.  Yes!  The mess is mine!  They chose Chemical Cake for their project and they have to make 4 cakes:  1 with all of the ingredients and 3 subsequent cakes missing one ingredient.

The mess has not yet begun, but notice the amount of "snacks" that they needed to get through this

I don't know how they sampled each of the cakes, but they enjoyed themselves.

The Board was completed at Kendyll's and it was finally done and turned in early.  Whew!  Now, I had to endure Taylor stressing over her project all week this week.  


Ahhhh. So the big night arrived.  Taylor and I went to the school and we walked around the cafeteria and checked out everyone's boards.  Being the proud Mama, I made Taylor take a picture by her board.

Taylor saw the list of the winners, so she went through looking for her name.  She was so bummed when she didn't see her name on the list of winners, and she was trying so hard not to cry.  I was trying to be the cool parent and keep her calm.  The last thing I wanted her doing was to get hysterical in front of her friends.  


So, Ms. Manning was reading the names of the winners.  Suddenly, we hear Taylor's name read aloud.  She is shocked - she has 2nd place.  Turns out, the 2nd place list was under the other paper and Taylor didn't know that.


Back to her Board we went.  Notice the change in her smile.

Taylor's friend couldn't attend, so she got the medal for Kendyll who will be at our house on Sunday.  


Great job girls!!!