Some of the most common fears of motherhood include sudden stomach bugs, lice outbreaks, and that heartbreaking moment when your child declares, “I hate you!” However, I would like to add another to that list: the day your child announces, “The science fair is coming up, and it’s mandatory.”
Up until now, I had managed to dodge the science fair bullet, but my daughter is now in fifth grade. When she dropped the news a couple of months ago, I turned to my partner and said, “You handle this one.”
The mere thought of poster boards, messy experiments, and crafting a hypothesis made me cringe. I’m a right-brained individual—more inclined towards reading, writing, art, and music. Numbers and science? No thanks. I felt overwhelmed.
In high school, I barely scraped through chemistry. The periodic table seemed as foreign to me as ancient hieroglyphs. Despite my efforts, the material just didn’t resonate. I managed to get by, thankful that chemistry wasn’t a requirement for my psychology degree.
Fortunately, I married someone who enjoys tackling numbers and writing abstracts. Our complementary skills proved invaluable during this science fair crisis.
Once I passed the responsibility to him, I didn’t think much about it until I heard him lament about our daughter choosing a particularly complex topic. Naturally, she did. My daughter adores math and science, and while she could read Harry Potter all day, I was thrilled to see her enthusiasm for these subjects. She was excited to dive in, while I was still stuck in my discomfort.
After purchasing $40 worth of supplies online, I still had no idea what her project entailed. As it turned out, her entire presentation focused on “Cooking for Chemists,” because, unlike me, she finds chemistry intriguing.
I let my husband take the lead. I quietly pondered, Why do we still have science fairs?
Eventually, after many evenings filled with scientific discussions between my daughter and husband, it was time for me to contribute: the poster board. Armed with my scrapbooking materials, I helped her organize the information, and I felt a sense of accomplishment as we completed the project.
Then came the unexpected news—she placed second at her school and was the only girl among the top three to advance to the district level. To my surprise, she succeeded there too and is now headed to the state finals. While I’m incredibly proud, I can’t help but think, Oh no, the science fair saga continues!
Through this experience, I recognized that my negative attitude was the real issue. My daughter was thriving in something she loved while excelling in a STEM event—something I had originally dreaded. She was the sole girl from her school to reach this stage, and everyone was celebrating her achievements.
I realized it wasn’t the science fair that was the problem; it was my mindset.
I often tell my children that they can chase their dreams, but I wasn’t embodying that support. Even if science isn’t my forte, I can still cheer her on in her pursuits. My priority is raising a daughter who believes she can achieve anything.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2009 American Community Survey, women make up nearly half of the workforce but represent less than 25% of STEM positions. This trend has persisted over the last decade, despite an increase in college-educated women.
A year ago, my daughter shared her dream of opening a bakery with a reading nook. I was on board with that vision, as it aligned with my interests. However, I now realize my enthusiasm must extend to subjects I’m less passionate about, like science and math, to instill confidence in her abilities.
Research from Microsoft found that girls’ interest in STEM peaks around age 11, then declines by age 15. This trend highlights the urgency for parents and educators to nurture girls’ enthusiasm for STEM before it wanes.
While my daughter may not pursue a STEM career, fostering an appreciation for these fields is crucial. With increased awareness from films like Hidden Figures and after-school programs focused on girls in STEM, we are making headway. I’ve come to understand that I need to shift my attitude as well. Even if I can’t assist with fifth-grade math, I can express excitement and encouragement so she knows she can achieve anything. The science fair has taught me that valuable lesson.
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In summary, my perspective on my daughter’s science fair shifted from dread to pride as I recognized the importance of supporting her interests, regardless of my own feelings about science. This journey not only highlighted her talents but also reinforced my role in encouraging her to pursue her passions.