“Mom, we get to do a science fair project for school!” What parent doesn't love it when their kids get excited about anything, and especially when it is something to do with school. I will admit science was my least favorite subject in school. I never could wrap my head around atoms, neurons, and the periodic table. In college, I took Biology 101 and 102 my freshman year just because it was required. I told Grace that I can help her, but we are not blowing anything up or using magnets! Yes, in principle The Science Fair is created to spark in elementary students an interest in science, engineering, and the environment. However, I want to share what my daughter's science fair taught me. Here is her amazing video she made to go along with her amazing board! 
1. Science fairs are a great way to get kids excited about science, engineering and the environment. I was amazed at the number of kids who voluntarily participated (43) at Grace's school. At the regional fair, it was exciting at the number of kids and the wide variety of science fair topics. A big shout out to Johnson City Kiwanis Club, Eastman Chemical, Center for Appalachian Studies and Tennessee Academy of Science, and American Chemical Society and Club Z! who donated prize money for the participants. Investing in my daughter's generation will only build their confidence to keep experimenting and build a love for science, engineering and their environment.
A special thank you to Liz Nutter and Julie Buchanan, Happy Valley teachers who served as science fair sponsors this year. They encouraged our students, took pictures when I wasn't there, and took time on their Saturday off to cheer on their students at the Regional Fair.
2. Encourages parent-child bonding. I know there are parents that may completely disagree with me on this one. Now, I'm not saying there were no tears or screaming (mostly me!) during this project. Grace is at an age, she is becoming more independent, so it was nice to work on something with her. It was amazing to see her get excited about the project. I learned that I had to let her do it, that as much as I wanted her to succeed, she’d only learn if she did the work herself. If she failed, that was all right, too. She’d learn from that — and me, too.
3. Competitiveness is not only found on the ball field/court. Grace earned first place at her school fair! We are so proud of her. Next, was the Upper East Tennessee Regional Science Fair where she would compete against fourth-grade students across upper East Tennessee. Even though Grace did not place, we are so proud of her success. To be honest, I'm excited to see how Grace responds next year from not placing this year. My daughter is competitive and I saw that competitiveness shine during a science fair.
4. Opened a level of curiosity, creativity, and grit in Grace we haven't seen. One definition of grit is the ability to maintain determination and motivation over a long period of time despite experiences with adversity. Let's admit it, grit is not a trait in many of us adults, so when our kids show signs of grit, it's pretty darn exciting. Grace's experiment forced her out of her introvert shell. She went up to strangers and asked them to participate, asked them questions and interacted amazingly with the dogs. The day at the park, I was so proud of her fortitude in walking up to people she did not know and start a conversation!
The creative spirit is becoming extinct in a generation attached to video games, Ipads, and other electronic gadgets. When is the last time you did a creative project with your kids? Trust me, I'm just as guilty. It takes time (which we don't have a lot of), mental capacity (what adult has that after an 8+ hour work day), and clean up (just don't include glitter).
5. The impact of technology and social media. Pinterest is a lifesaver. Speaking of creative spirit, what did we do before Pinterest? Grace even made a Board for science fair ideas. We had the idea to use social media to get more dog participants. Grace wanted to create a video along with her post request. It was great! She received over 1,200 views (not bad for a fourth grader). She had over 40 participants through Facebook. People that I haven't seen since college or in years participated. Friends of ours shared with their friends, and their friends participated. We didn't even know these people, but they wanted to help Grace. For me, it revived my sense of collaboration. I think people have a natural desire to want to help people, especially kids. Never thought a science fair project would make me aware of that fact.
The most important lesson I gained...don't wait for the next science fair to find an opportunity to get creative with my kids!
