Some of the most dreaded moments for parents often include stomach flu outbreaks, lice infestations, and that heart-wrenching moment when your child declares, “I hate you.” However, I’d like to add another alarming situation to this list: when your child informs you, “The science fair is coming up, and it’s mandatory.”
Until now, I had successfully dodged the science fair bullet since it wasn’t a requirement. But my daughter is now in fifth grade, and when she broke the news to me a couple of months ago, I immediately turned to my husband and said, “You’re handling this one.”
Just the thought of poster boards, messy experiments, and formulating a hypothesis made me cringe. I lean heavily toward the creative side of the brain—reading, writing, art, and music—while numbers and science have always left me feeling overwhelmed. I remember struggling through high school chemistry, where the periodic table seemed as decipherable as ancient hieroglyphics. I tried my best, but the concepts simply didn’t resonate with me. Thankfully, I managed to pass and could confidently declare, “never again” to chemistry, especially since it wasn’t a prerequisite for my psychology degree.
Fortunately, I married a wonderful man who thrives on writing abstracts and crunching numbers. Our contrasting strengths make us a solid team, especially during challenging times like when a science fair becomes essential for passing fifth grade.
Once I relinquished control, I didn’t give it much thought until my husband lamented that our daughter had chosen a particularly complex project. Naturally, she did. My daughter adores math, science, and books. While she could spend hours immersed in the world of Harry Potter, her enthusiasm for science and math is something I genuinely appreciate. Despite my reservations, she was eager to dive into the project.
We ordered $40 worth of supplies from Amazon, and I still had no clue what her project was about. It turned out that her entire project revolved around cooking for chemists because, unlike me, she finds chemistry fascinating. It makes perfect sense to her.
I took a step back, questioning the purpose of the science fair.
After several evenings filled with science discussions between my daughter and husband, it was finally time for me to contribute: the poster. Armed with my scrapbooking supplies, I helped her compile everything onto her board and felt a sense of accomplishment when we completed the project.
Then came the unexpected news—she secured second place at her school, becoming the only girl among the top three students who advanced to the district level. She excelled there too and is now heading to the state finals. While I am incredibly proud, I couldn’t help but think, “Oh no, it’s the never-ending science fair!”
However, throughout this experience, I recognized that my negative attitude was the real issue. Here was my daughter, passionately engaged in something she loved, participating in a STEM event, and truly excelling. She was the only girl from her school to reach this stage, and everyone around her was thrilled for her success.
I came to understand that the problem wasn’t the science fair itself; it was my own mindset.
I often encourage my children to pursue their dreams, yet I wasn’t fully supporting my daughter’s interests. Sure, I might not grasp the difference between an abstract and a hypothesis, but I can still show my support for her ambitions. Raising a daughter who believes she can accomplish anything is my top priority.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, while women occupy nearly half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25% of STEM positions. This trend has persisted over the past decade, even as the number of college-educated women in the workforce has increased.
A year ago, she shared her dream of owning a bakery with a reading nook in the back, and I wholeheartedly supported that vision because it aligned with my passions. However, my perspective has shifted. I now realize that my enthusiasm needs to extend to subjects I’m less fond of, like science and math, so she knows anything is achievable, and she can excel in her interests.
A survey by Microsoft highlights that girls’ interest in STEM peaks around age 11, but by 15, many lose that enthusiasm. The same survey indicates that while interest in humanities rebounds, interest in STEM subjects typically does not. This means that parents, teachers, and society at large have a limited window to nurture girls’ passion for these fields before they potentially abandon them.
I understand now that even if my daughter doesn’t pursue a career in STEM, it would be wonderful if she did. It’s my responsibility to foster her love for these subjects. With a growing awareness of the challenges girls face in STEM, thanks to films like Hidden Figures and various after-school initiatives, progress is being made. However, I realize that my own attitude needs to change as well. Even if I’m not equipped to assist with fifth-grade math homework, I can still express my excitement and support, ensuring she knows that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to.
And, surprisingly, I have the science fair to thank for this revelation.
Summary
This article reflects on a parent’s journey from dread to support regarding their child’s participation in a science fair. It emphasizes the importance of encouraging girls in STEM fields and recognizing the impact of parental attitudes on children’s interests.