#544 Elementary school science fairs

Neil Pasricha

It all starts with poster board.

Getting mom to drive to the drug store to load up on the thick flimsy is a great start to a great project. Grab a sheet of white, a sheet of neon pink, and if you’re lucky one of those thick cardboard three-folds. Come on, we both know that cardboard added some scientific integrity to your research — the seventh grade equivalent of getting your work published in The New England Journal of Awesome.

Now, it doesn’t end there. Next you’re grabbing markers, spray paint, baking soda, and Styrofoam. Once you’ve got everything together you’re rushing home and getting down to science, people. The carpeted corner of the unfinished basement becomes your lab and it’s time to spend hours putting on lab coats, staring into microscopes, and pour bubbling green liquids into beakers. Also, taping.

Come on and let’s count down some classics:

6. The solar system. Jabbing those spray-painted Styrofoam balls with a straightened out coat hanger is a truly great feeling. As is painting a splotchy brown Australia on Earth and a big eye on Jupiter. If you want to go the To Scale route, remember to leave Pluto at home.

5. Volcano. There are two types of eruptions. First, there’s the Underwhelming Fizz — where you stare deep into the mouth of the fiery beast only to witness some rock-hard hunks of baking soda floating in a pool of strong-smelling vinegar. It’s disappointing, but you can always try again and hope for a Superblow — where everyone stares with wide-eyes as red ooze bubbles and slides down your carefully painted volcano onto the GI Joe townspeople below.

4. The one the kid’s parents obviously did. Also known as robbing your child of the thrill of scientific discovery in exchange for a B+.

3. Growing something. Whether it was lima beans or patches of fresh grass, it was a a classic move to study Sunlight vs. Shadows, Music vs. No Music, or Watering Plants vs. Pouring Coke On Them.

2. Coke is bad. Speaking of Coke, did you have that kid who left a tooth or some nails sitting in it for a month? The groundbreaking research typically concluded with a harsh indictment of the entire soda industry. And maybe a business card for the kid’s dad who was a dentist.

1. The one that didn’t work. Every science fair had a few of these gems. They were sad and beautiful at the same time. Because that down-faced ten year old standing in front of a dim lightbulb was learning how to deal with lost efforts and how to get back their drive after a fall. Keep that chin up, tiger. You’ll get ’em next time.

Yes, beautiful science fair moments were always a perfect close to months of hallway passion, energetic teachers, and long lonely nights cutting construction paper letters with pinking shears. Letting kids learn, letting kids dream, letting kids try and try and try — well, there’s just so much good that comes of that.

As they bottle insects, jab battery wires into lemons, and rub magnets together, you can see the whirring gears spinning with delight. Yes, all that learning just sponges, soaks in, and sticks there forever as the next generation of curiosity seekers tease their buzzing minds forward and forward and forward…

AWESOME!

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Photos from: here

1,234 thoughts to “#544 Elementary school science fairs”

  1. Laundry hung out on the clothesline! It’s a sight that means Summer is here and better than that, it leaves your laundry with a wonderful smell and a fresh crispness! Awesome!

  2. When you don’t give up and ask right before leaving, “Do you guys have any size ___ in the back?” and they do!!!

    ALWAYS ask about “the back”.

  3. When your boss uses you as an example in a meeting on how to do something right. All of a sudden you are the most AWESOMEST worker who’s ever worked!

    1. Also applies to you as a student. Makes you feel like you did something right for once! haha

  4. What about when you expect to get shocked by that metal thing that always shocks you but it doesn’t.

    I’m thinking of Office Space now.

  5. It’s awesome when your friends have photos of you that make you look awesome, especially when you weren’t particularly feeling so beautiful when they were taken.

  6. Peeing in your wetsuit…

    The moment when you realise that your hiccups have (finally!) stopped…

    Getting glasses as a kid when you didn’t even know that you needed them and being able to see the world how everyone else does. And you realise how much you were missing out. The night sky!? OMG

    1. sooo i just remembered theres already a post about this… so how about… seeing an actual rainbow in the sky

        1. Not always. I have seen a rainbow glow while listening to the tornado sirens. It made a really pretty show!

  8. when you wake up and realize that it’s only saturday!

    that’s a really awesome feeling!!

  9. The first day it’s warm enough to wear sandals.

    When the weather starts to thaw after the cold, dark days of winter, it always puts a spring in your step, but never moreso than when you can break out the sandals! There’s a whole new wardrobe of choices for footwear and your toes will thank you for the escape from sweaty socks and being squished into those thick heavy boots or pointy, closed-toed pumps that you’ve been forced to wear to fend off the cold! There’s a freedom to flip-flops – maybe it’s that you’re as close to barefoot as is socially acceptable or maybe it’s just that fabulous sound they make as you flip, flop, flap your way through the park on a beautiful spring day.

    (It’s been a long time since I started reading this blog so I don’t remember every entry; I hope this one hasn’t been done already!)

  10. Grandmothers. Mine’s 90. Lives alone, no walker, no wheelchair, no dentures, no hearing aids, no diapers. My inspiration.

    Totally AWESOME.

    2. The other day, I met a friend of my Grandmother’s who lives on Shelter Island (aka, meaning she has to drive, and she has to drive VERY FAR to get anywhere). Still physically fit, no aid, still drives, drinks wine like a fish, everything.

      Wednesday will be her Ninety-FIFTH birthday. Awesome!

  11. Listening to the music that YOU like, and none else likes. And just thinking; “I have an AWESOME music taste!”

  12. Ok, last one.

    When something that normally crushes you doesn’t and you realize that you’re finally over that jerk of an ex.

  13. Finally getting the rock out of your shoe. You’ve been walking around for hours with that little pebble because more and more irritating, until you finally take the time to remove your shoe, and the sensation is unbelievable.

  14. This is silly, but dialing up 1000awesomethings.com this afternoon and realizing that there were 4 new posts since my last visit was awesome.

    (A blog of awesome things has itself become my moment of awesome!)

    1. And this comment about the awesomeness of a blog of awesome things is in itself pretty darn awesome…

      uhhhh..

      *HEAD EXPLODES*

  19. Musicals.
    Because living for a couple hours in a world where everyone breaks out in song and dance every few minutes is just
    Awesome!

    1. I’m with you Hannah.. I can’t sing to save my life, but I love, love, love musicals..

  20. When you’re chosen out of hundreds of people as the winner for a contest such as this. How great would that feel?

  21. When the boy or girl you like in grade school checks “yes” in the box that says:

    Will you be my boyfriend/girlfriend?
    [ ] yes
    [ ] no
    [ ] maybe

    Awesome!

    2. oh! i just thought of another one.

      friendship bracelets.

      one of those where you have the “best” bracelet and i have the “friends” bracelet. ^^

  22. Ice cream day in grade school. You saved up that $.50 for the Dreamsicle and it’s awesome when you bite into it!

  23. The fashion sense of small children.
    Pink sparkly princess dress with bright purple turtleneck and spotted blue kneesocks?

    Awesome.

  24. When you get your paycheck, and it’s actually bigger than you expected. It’s like a secret, mini-bonus from your employer, and who doesn’t find that
    AWESOME!

  26. Authors who write back.

    Maybe it was a third-grade mandatory school project. Maybe you just really liked the book. Nevertheless, getting that honest-to-goodness-written-by-a-real-person letter back from a semi-celebrity you admire is just

    Awesome.

    1. There was this illustrator I admired that e-mailed me back! It’s nice that some people take time off from their busy schedule to write a long letter just for you. I know it makes me feel totally special :)

    2. Getting an email from Nick about something that I had said about one of the earlier awesome things totally made my day! I still have it.

  27. The first day after winter when it’s warm enough to drive your car with the windows all the way down!

    AWESOME

  28. trying to figure out a magic trick.

    i never can… but has any seen that tv show? the one where they show you the behind the scenes of magic shows. AWESOME.

  29. clean public bathrooms.

    rare, but it feels good when you walk into a clean bathroom.. doesnt it? awesome!

      1. I totally just did this on my recent vacation. Bonus points for going to the “Hotel Suisse.”

        Cleanest. Bathroom. Ever.

  30. PEELING OF YOUR SOCKS
    As you slowly pry off a pair of grey uniform code ankle highs you can feel each little lent and cross stitch holding on for dear life to the mini indent they work so hard to make their home all day. Yet you ignore their tug of war and rip them right off revealing an odd mixture of fresh but stinky new skin. You sit back and relax letting your pale white feet finally breathe in some freedom after a long day.
    AWESOME!

  31. Getting sucked into a good book.
    Not simply reading it, but staying up all night, skipping school or work the next day, and staying up the whole NEXT night to finish.
    And if you’ve never experienced how AWESOME this is, go visit the library! :)

  32. Eating french fries on the car ride home.

    Yes, you may have treated yourself, or took advantage of the two-fer-one sale, but when the greasy, salty odor of potatoes call to you from the bag, you can’t help but sneak a few.

    AWESOME!

    1. 100% agreed. It truly revolutionized an entire genre. The era of the 2D platformer was over.

      Totally amazing game.

      1. I wouldn’t say it’s completely over, dear Freddo! Cave Story just had a re-release, and I’m a dear fan of Iji.

        Sorry, I’m a nerd.

        1. I stand corrected. You are correct – there have been notable entries into the 2D platform space post Mario 64. Braid is one example I particularly enjoyed.

          But you do have to admit – Mario 64 did a great job of showing what was possible on the (then) next generation consoles, within the platforming genre.

          Itssaaaaaammeeeeeee… Mario!

  34. bumming textbooks off of friends who already took the course. cuz schools are already robbing you of enough money, it always nice to “stick it to the man” haha.
    AWESOME

  35. Licking the bowl after baking (brownies especially)!!!!

    All of that left over chocolate just sitting there for you to eat…

    AWE-SOME!

  37. #544

    Having 3 paychecks in one month. Is there an explanation needed? It’s 3 paychecks in 1 month!

    1. Especially when you figure two paychecks per month and do your bills accordingly. It’s like all that extra money!

  38. That one day in elementary school where all the good kids get to go outside and play games all day (although everybody gets to do it.)

    It always happens at the end of the year. It’s the one thing that everybody has been being good for the entire year. You go outside and play with the parachute from gym class, jump on inflatables, have water balloon fights, and play silly games made up (but are much better than boring old baseball and soccer.) The school always serves some awesome meal that day and it is always (or used to be, anyway) free.

    My school called it student appreciation day. What did your school call it?

    1. Field Day! I guess that’s all they could come up with for a name since it was held in a giant field :)
      Everyone loved it!

  39. When you’re driving at night and a car coming the other way flashes their brights at you warning you of a cop catching speeders. It makes me feel more unified with the world like we are all on a team together, helping each other out.

  42. A freshly shaven, just brushed teeth kiss.

    Nothing beats the kiss of minty freshness mixed with the smoothness of a freshly shaven face. When your husband runs off to work in the morning and kisses you on the way out the door. Or when your dad wakes you up before he leaves for a business trip and he’s freshly shaved, teeth just brushed, and smells of after shave.

    And guys don’t you feel good after you just shaved and brush your teeth. You check yourself in the mirror and smile because you know you look fantastic and feel amazing.

    It makes every morning better and sure leaves you something to smile about throughout the day.

      1. Awesome: misplaced modifiers. :)

        “I saw a dog on the way to work.”

        You were on the way to work when you saw a dog? Or the dog was on its way to work?

        … I’m a grammar nerd :(

  43. When a great song comes on at the perfect moment. Weather your searching for a good song on a radio station for two minutes, your ipod is on shuffle, or maybe while thinking of past memories.. that one song comes on that you just love and puts you in a great mood for a moment.

    awsome!

  44. Having just enough milk left in the carton for your bowl of cereal. Because nothing’s worse than dry cheerios, and nothing’s better than being done with the milk that is about to expire.

  45. Shopping for new kitchen appliances!
    1- you think you know exactly what you want, but as soon as you walk into that sears store, oh boy, everything is thrown out the window. who knew there were so many different types of fridges?
    2- so many new buttons to press on the unplugged ovens and microwaves, so many doors to be opened and glasses trying out the ice releaser
    3- everything is just so shiny!
    4-you mean business, another day cannot be wasted on washing your own dishes.
    AWESOME!

  47. Finally getting to use an inside-joke you have with a friend in public. Whether it’s a silly nickname or some old quote, you and your fellow joker know exactly what it’s about.

  48. Putting your comforter in the dryer right before bed on cold nights.

    Nothing beats the feeling of putting on things straight from the dryer on cold nights. However, pulling your comforter out after a few minutes in the dryer and going straight to bed is just absolutely awesome.

    You can all warm and snuggly right before drifting into a peaceful sleep. Forget sharing the covers tonight, they are all mine.

  49. Pulling all the hair out of your hairbrush. As gross as it is, it’s like using a brand-new hairbrush afterwards. And nothing’s more satisfying than throwing a big hairball away.

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