Thursday, May 14, 2009

They Blinded Me with Science

Next week is the first science fair in which Darren and Sarah are participating. Their projects are due tomorrow, and they've been taking their experiments and the documentation thereof very seriously. Of course with two first-graders in-house, we have a virtual mini-science fair with its glue drying in the den as the kids sleep...

Darren's study was to determine if sea water could be/would be de-salted by freezing.
[His results indicate the answer is no.]

Sarah's was to discover which chewing gum retains its flavor the longest.

[Extra Classic Bubble lasts a whopping 19+ minutes, if you're interested.]

One of the primary criterion for each child's grade is that the work is completed with minimal adult assistance. I couldn't be prouder. [Please note: I let "Qweston" go uncorrected on Sarah's title above. Not easy for the anal speller in me, I might add...]

However, I did intervene a bit...

On one of her results panels, here is the final presentation piece:
...and here was the first draft:

Sometimes, a mama simply has to assist a smidge....
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21 comments:

Terra said...

OMG - Laughing so hard! We thrive on the "no help" around here Lauren takes it so seriously she actually had a total meltdown because I wanted to hold the ruler for her when she was 6.

We just love science! And the chewing gum exp. sounds like fun - I might put Lauren on that for a summer fun!

Thanks for sharing.
Terra

Bethany said...

I did the same chewing gum experiment in elementary school. It was fun! I have no idea where I got the idea, but at the time Trident was the winner ;)

SouthernDogwoods said...

Ha! I needed that after crying like a baby over Grey's Anatomy!
How absolutely funny! Glad mom stepped in and made one small change!

Tia said...

that's hysterical!! wow a science fair? how cool is that? :)

cat said...

Oh Cheryl, that gave me such a good laugh this morning!

Laura said...

HILARIOUS!!

Nicole O'Dell said...

LOL...When I first opened the window I saw THAT photo without reading the story yet. I thought...hmm...19 min, not bad. ;)

Also, Sarah is my kind of girl. She picked a project that "forced" her to chew a LOT of gum.

:)

mommytoalot said...

LOL..too funny.

Rebecca said...

Thank GOD you stepped in as editor in chief!!! That's hysterical! I can't believe they're doing all of that in first grade!

Tracy said...

Now THAT would be some gum! Talk about "extra"! LOL Great job Darren and Sarah.

Leigh Anne said...

I totally LOLed and love Tracy's comment :)

i bet she had fun getting to chew all that gum!!

noble pig said...

OMG that is hilarious. I absolutely love it!

Nancy said...

HAHAHAHAHA Oh my - love that first draft :)

And what cool science projects! Nice.

Sarahviz said...

Love it! Brought a smile to my face.

Unknown said...

hehehehehehehe!! Good catch Mom!

Great projects...hope they do well!

Zip n Tizzy said...

Wow. Sounds like Extra out performs in more ways than one!

Tracey said...

That's just funny science. Thinking about your family a whole lot this weekend. Hang in there sunshine!

Threeundertwo said...

I knew there was a reason I liked Extra. This type practice is great for future science fairs. Wish my kids had had an opportunity like this. (and nice save mom, I would have done the same thing.)

The Corradetti Clan said...

too funny! I was roaring when I read this. Great job on the projects!

Dana said...

OH how I love kid spelling! It's so precious and usually more correct than we realize.

Thank you for this, and thank you for being a parent who DOESNT complain that we teachers make the 1st graders do science projects. Some people don't believe us that it is fun for the whole family. (not to mention a good learning experience!)

Amy said...

Ok, I know this is an older post... but LOL!!!! You really should save that first draft for the scrap book. lol